Dog Breeds

Sifting through Dog Breeds

Remembering that dogs can live anywhere up to 17 years it is important to choose the right dog for your lifestyle. There are so many breeds of dog it is sometimes hard to know which dog may suit you.

Do you have children? Where do you live, in a house or an apartment? Do you lead an active lifestyle where your dog will get plenty of freedom or are you more sedate? These questions need to be addressed and the different breeds looked at before you decide.

There are sporting breeds these were and in some cases still are used as hunting dogs, gun dogs bird dogs etc. The also make very good companion s and are friendly and loyal. This group includes Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Red Setters and Labradors. These breeds need a lot of exercise.  However, this is not as bad as it might sound because that can mean just taking them on a walk with you or if you have another dog, they can simply just have playtime with each other a few times a day.

Hound Dogs too are great companions and hunt in various ways, some by smell others by sight and some combinations. Among this group are Afghan Hounds, Basset Hounds, Beagle Dogs, Dachshunds, Greyhounds, and Whippets. Again these dogs need a lot of exercise.

Working breeds are used as guard dogs, search and rescue dogs and prove themselves very valuable to humans. They have been great in guarding livestock and people and saving lives in unique ways. A few of these breeds are Alaskan Malamutes, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Saint Bernards, Samoyeds and Siberian Husky.

Terriers have captured the hearts of many, they are friendly and loyal yet vivacious and bold, they include Fox Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Schnauzers and Welsh Terriers.

The toy breeds are small and totally suited for apartment living, they are great companions especially to older people. Maltese, Papillons, Chihuahuas, Pekingese, Shih Tzus and Toy Poodles.

Non Sporting breeds are a mixed group of small and large dog and range from popular breeds to rare breeds American Eskimo Dogs, Shar-Peis, Chow Chows, Lhasa Apsos, Poodles, both miniature and standard and Tibetan Spaniels and Terriers.

Not to be forgotten are the herding breeds. These dogs work herding livestock and again range in size and popularity. Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collies, Welsh Corgis, German Sheppard, Old English Sheepdogs and Shelties.

When it comes to different breeds look at you situation, how much room do you have, how much time can you give and what your expectations are of a dog, then look at the breeds that will fit your lifestyle to find a dog that will become part of your family.