Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 2 of 3
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that you just can't decide where to begin? If so, let's break it down and sort through all the options. In Part 2 of this 3 Part Series, we'll continue looking at the seven Groups of dogs that are acknowledged by the American Kennel Club. We'll learn what it is that brings various breeds together to form a Group. Learning about each Group will narrow down our search for the best Breed(s) for us.
How to Use this Guide: Highlight each piece of information that is most important to you and compare the number of highlighted traits when you have finished reading about each Group.
Group: Working
Group Traits: Powerfully built; Protective of owner; fearless
Likes: Structure and routine; Predictability
Dislikes: Unexpected events
Behavior Indoors: Low to moderate
Behavior Outdoors: Moderate to active
Physicality: High
Territoriality: High
Relations with Children: Good to very good (particularly family)
Relations with Strangers: Reserved
Relations with Dogs: Moderate to Dominant
Relations with Other Animals: Good
Guard dog inclinations: Moderate to High
Vocalization: Moderate (High when guarding)
Group: Terrier
Group Traits: Determined; high stamina; feisty; digger; fearless
Likes: Activity; Learning new things
Dislikes: Boredom; confinement; harsh discipline
Behavior Indoors: Active
Behavior Outdoors: Active
Physicality: High (high threshold for pain)
Territoriality: Moderate to high
Relations with Children: Poor to Good
Relations with Strangers: Poor to Good
Relations with Dogs: Moderate to Good (do well with like breeds)
Relations with Other Animals: May chase (prey drive)
Guard dog inclinations: Great watchdog, poor guard dog due to size
Vocalization: Moderate to high
Group: Toy
Group Traits: Bred to be companion; prefer favorite person; indoor only; bright problem solvers
Likes: Attention; laps; soft furniture; warmth;
Dislikes: Harsh reprimands; hectic, unpredictable environment
Behavior Indoors: Active
Behavior Outdoors: Moderate to active
Physicality: Low to moderate
Territoriality: Moderate to high
Relations with Children: Poor to Good
Relations with Strangers: Poor to Very Good
Relations with Dogs: Subordinate to good
Relations with Other Animals: Moderate to good
Guard dog inclinations: Good watchdog, poor guard dog due to size
Vocalization: Moderate to very verbal
*Note: Use this information as a general guide at best. The most we can hope to offer is a stereotypical overview of what you might be able to expect, or what you may want to look for, in dogs in each Group. Breeds and individual dogs in each Group can vary greatly in traits and personalities.
Part 3 in this series will discuss the following Groups: Herding Dogs and Non-Sporting.
The author has worked with dogs and dog people for two decades, advocating for smart selections before a new dog is brought into a home and always stressing responsible selection and ownership for the good of the dog, the family and the community. She also makes dog and cat art available to the companion animal industry and to animal lovers at http://www.GreatandSmallGallery.com
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