What is the Right Dog for You?

A good family dog is not just for you; it is a companion for both children and parents, a part of family life. Usually one family member takes charge of the daily responsibilities of feeding, training, and exercising a dog.

Large dogs and guarding breeds like the German Shepherd Dog, Doberman Pinscher, and Rottweiler fit the image of "protectors," but before choosing a large breed think carefully about what you mean by "protection."

Unless a dog is specifically trained for protection work, its true role is as a deterrent. In one survey, when police asked burglars about the greatest deterrent to breaking into a house, the most common answer was not a sophisticated burglar alarm system.

But a barking dog - which means that in the opinion of at least one police force, an alert Yorkshire Terrier offers as much protection as a hulking Rottweiler.

All dogs (even breeds with a couch potato image) love activity, but some are better equipped for jogging with their owners than others. Choose a high-energy breed or individual only if you have the energy to meet its daily needs.

 If you are attracted to a specific breed, but want to be active with your dog, search out breeders who intentionally breed for activity (in the case of Dachshunds, for example, for longer "working" legs).

You may think that showing dogs is for the professionals, but it is strange what happens to us when we realize that our own dog is of "show quality." By the time a puppy is eight weeks old, breeders have a reasonable idea of its potential to become a show dog.

Breed shows concentrate on dogs that are as close as possible to the breed standard of physical perfection; however, showing is not restricted to the beauty contest category.

There are dog shows for everyone and every dog regardless of its background: shows for the best groomed dog, the waggiest tail, the happiest face, the most agile or obedient dog.

If you want a hunting companion, choose an individual that responds well to command training. All of the sporting breeds - the retrievers, setters, pointers, and spaniels - fit this category.

Most, however, are bred as family companions, not for working. If you want a working dog, go to breeders who selectively breed for field trial work or hunting.