Make and Model

Jindos and other primative breeds are known for their
high prey drive and not being very affiliative.

Frequently, first time dog owners acquire their first dog based on aesthetics and media reputation.  A dog by any other name is still a dog, right?  Not exactly.  Every time a film/t.v. show about dogs is released, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, 101 Dalmatians, Fraisier, sales of the feature breed increases, and not long afterward, there’s an increase of the same breeds in many shelters. Chihuahuas bark and tend to be skittish. Dalmatians have incredible strength, protectiveness, and energy.  Jack Russell Terriers are high energy and require constant mental stimulation.  250,000 years of breeding dogs for specific behaviors and, more recently, for appearances has made an impact on the canine world.  Selective breeding is what makes retrievers retrieve, herders herd, and shepherds guard. In classic design rule, form follows function.  Streamlined bodies and long legs develop in racing dogs, stocky legs and muscular bodies protect dogs enable dogs to attack bulls and hogs, webbed feet and thick undercoats keep waterdogs warm in cold seas.  Knowing what characteristics a dog was bred for can help identify what behaviors can be expected.  Genetically selected behavior is difficult, if not impossible to over-ride.

However, over the past hundred years, there’s been a growing division in many dog breeds between conformation (how a dog looks) versus working branches of the same breed.  German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) and Labrador Retrievers are great examples of the division.  The GSDs bred for conformation tend to have extremely sloped backs and shorter muzzles in comparison to the working version (police dogs, dogs bred for sports, etc.).  The GSDs bred for work tend to have higher energy levels and tenacity than the conformation versions.  Labrador Retrievers have at least three versions: conformation, field (hunting) and working (assistance dogs).  The conformation and assistant dog versions tend to be heavier set.  Labs bred as guide dogs tend to be more calm, resilient, and smaller.  Field labs have a more pronounced slope from their chest to their belly, longer legs, and are extremely high energy with incredible endurance.  Many other breeds have similar divisions.

Health is another issue to consider when looking at breeds of dogs.  The larger dogs tend to have hip and knee issues, some more than others.  For some breeds, owners should expect hip problems, which can easily mean $6,000 in surgery when the dog is just a few years old.  Not surprisingly, dogs with long backs often have back issues and would do better to live in houses without stairs.  Brachycephalic dogs (smushed in noses like English bulldogs or pugs) tend to have serious respiratory problems and overheat easily, making hot climates potentially dangerous for them.  Some health issues are not visible, like heart or eye conditions, or even behavioral problems like “rage syndrome.” Knowing what problems can come with the dogs can help with decision making.

Mixed breed dogs carry mixed behavioral and aesthetic traits.

Mixed breed dogs are complicated.  If both parents are known and purebred, then expect a combination of behaviors.  For the “Heinz 57” dogs, don’t go by looks alone.  Watching how dogs interact with their environment and play with other dogs and humans can provide some clues.  A dog that keys into movement might have herding or sight hound genes.  A dog that seems focused and tenacious about a task could be part terrier.  The current DNA tests available can sometimes reveal the ancestral roots of our dogs, but they’re not very reliable.  I’ve known people who’ve done multiple tests with the same dog but have had vastly different results, even within the same DNA- decoding company.  Buyer beware. 

When looking for a dog, be honest about lifestyle.  Hounds, bred for their voice and use of voice, might not be the best choice for apartment living.  A field bred dog can cause chaos in a sedentary household. For those not familiar with a multitude of breeds, there are some trainers and reputable breeders who can help provide guidance.  If acquiring a purebred dog, ask the breeder about the parents.  Were the dogs bred for conformation?  Work?  Both?  What traits do the parents exhibit?  If the dog is going to be a household pet, it’s very important to ask about temperament.  Not all dogs are bred to be tolerant and affiliative with people.  Good breeders will be honest about the pros and cons of their breed and about their dogs.  They want to be sure their dogs find the homes best suited for them as well.  If they’re not willing to tell the “good” and the “bad,” find another breeder.

Most of us take the time to learn a little about vehicles before we buy one, and many people only keep their cars, vans, or SUVs for five years.  Considering a dog can live from seven to twenty years, doing at least an equal amount of research makes sense.  Knowing what “make and model” of dog best suits our needs can help match our best friends to their best homes.