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How Breed Influences Canine Behavior
Canine behavior is often influenced by the breed's traits. While
training can help manage most troublesome behaviors, people
should look at breed traits when choosing a dog or puppy for
their home.
Many find mixed breeds tend to have a better overall behavior
than purebred breeds, but owning a mixed breed, or hybrid, is
not a guarantee you'll get a dog that matches your expectations.
The same is true of purchasing a purebred that is known to be a
great family dog, overbreeding can affect a dog's nature.
Sporting and Gun Dogs
Breeds that make suitable hunting companions include:
- Pointers
- Retrievers
- Setters
- Spaniels
These dogs have excellent noses and eyes. When trained, the
dogs learn to point out birds, retrieve birds or even track
racoons in trees. The dogs require activity and can be difficult
to train. Most have stubborn streaks that require patience and
determination to overcome while training.
Black and yellow labs are one of the world's most popular
breeds because they are patient, excellent with children and
train easily. They do, however, have a great deal of energy that
needs to be released.
Hounds Traits
Hounds, like beagles or dachshunds, are loving dogs who love
children as much as they do adults. Troublesome canine behavior
is limited, but they do love to bark. It will take some serious
training to break them of the habit. Hounds like to run around,
so plan to take them for daily walks.
Dachshunds are known to have hip problems because of their
proportion of back length to the short legs. Make sure you
carefully check the parentage to see if hip problems are common
in that breeding line.
Toy Dog Breeds' Canine Behavior
Toy dogs are great for those who live in small apartments and
homes. They enjoy being indoors and space is generally not an
issue. Toy breeds have different canine behavior. Some, such as
Chihuahuas, can be snappy, especially with little children.
Others like Shih Tzus are excellent companions for young
children and have tons of patience and tolerance.
Remember that toy breeds tend to chill easily, so in cold
climates they do need protective winter gear to remain warm
while outside. Toy breeds are generally easily excited and many
are prone to separation anxiety.
Guard Dogs Traits
Guard dogs (German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Boxers, etc.) make
great family dogs but require training. Most are hesitant with
strangers and unless properly trained may become threatening.
With their family, however, they are gentle giants who act like
overgrown puppies.
With guard dogs, especially German Shepherds, it's important
to check the breeding carefully. Many dogs have hip issues that
are extremely costly to a pet owner. Ask for hip certification
from the breeder and definitely ask to view the puppy's parents.
Mixed Breed Canine Behavior
There is a growing trend among pet owners to create designer
breeds (Chiweenies, Labradoodles, etc.) by breeding their
purebred with another. None of these hybrid breeds are purebred
or recognized by the AKC.
The new hybrids contain aspects of both parents'
temperaments. This can work to an owner's benefit or become
troublesome if you like one breed but cannot tolerate the
behavior of the other parent. Always research the dog breed
behavior trends of both breeds before bringing your puppy home.
Related Articles...
The 11 Best Dogs for Children
The 11 Best Dogs for Apartments
Behavior
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The Best Dogs to Fit Your Lifestyle
Best Dog Pairings
Understanding Dog Behavior
Developmental Stages of Dog and Puppy Behavior
6 Tips for Fixing a Dog Behavior Problem
Can Bad Dog Behavior Be Treated with Medication?
How to Choose a Dog Breed |
