Does Breed Matter?
As you have probably figured out I, and my team, work with dogs. We are called in sometimes when they are cute puppies and sometimes when they are older and less friendly. Over the years I have noticed that more and more people tell me they picked their dog because they were cute or they thought that breed was beautiful.
While these reasons are of course, true, but I believe if we all dove a little deeper when picking a breed we could put me out of business. So here is a quick post to try and help you guys do that just that.
“It’s all in how you raise them”
So before I get into putting myself out of a job, I know that a lot of you are thinking that quote I hear all the time. However, I have been doing this for 15+ years now dealing with some serious human and animal related aggression cases and I hate to tell you this is not the case.
These dogs were in loving homes, they were socialized, they were never hit, taught to bite or kill, or any of the other things I have been told in the past. There DNA mattered. While we can work with their DNA we can not cancel out their DNA. So now that I have gotten this out of the way lets get to some fun facts you should know about your dog.
Know what they were bred for
Whether you are thinking of getting a new puppy or if you already have your dog, you should know what they were bred to do.
Let’s break down some highlights of jobs and how that can impact your daily life with your dog.
Sighthounds
These dogs were bred to use their keen eyesight to catch sight of fast moving game. They can be great sprinters, covering huge distances in a short time. They can be pretty sensitive in nature both in temperament and weather tolerance.
What’s that mean for you?
These are the dogs I get called in for chasing down smaller animals, cats, livestock, smaller dogs, squirrels etc. They are also the ones that I get called in for phobias with strangers and loud noises.
Guardians
These giant breed dogs were breed to protect, not just humans but livestock. While their energy level is normally on the lower side they are not all the couch potatoes that people think they are.
What’s that mean for you?
Guardian breeds get large quickly and early training is a must if you want to be able to control them on a walk. They often don’t take kindly to strangers entering their territory and are the dogs I get called in for biting house guests or other animals that get into their yard.
Toy Sized Dogs
These little balls of love bond very strongly with their owner. They were bred for years to be the companion animals and to alert the owner of any intruders into their area.
What does that mean for you?
These little dogs have big feelings and big personality. I get called in for their “annoying” barking, separation anxiety, or fear of things taller then them (hint let them walk more then you carry them).
Hounds
These dogs have amazing noses that we bred into them to hunt various game over long distances. They don’t need to see to find there prey and they use their voice to tell us they found it.
What does that mean for you?
These dogs LOVE to sniff and that nose often gets them in trouble off leash and their voice gets them in trouble in tight living situations because excitement makes they bay.
Terriers
These guys were bred to be tenacious to the point of insanity. They are brave and have no problem taking on animals larger then them. They are bred to go go go.
What does that mean for you?
These little dogs have a ton of energy and brain power. If we are not engaging it properly they will find an out lit for it. I get called in for these guys fighting with other animals, obsessive behaviors like spinning or barking at nothing.
Herders
These super intelligent control freaks were bred to control their environment. They have a large amount of mental and physical stamina. They also bond strongly with their handlers as we bred them to work hand in hand with us.
What does that mean for you?
These dogs were not bred for apartment life. They require lots of daily mental and physical exercise. Their control freak nature comes out in the form of biting of other animals, people, bikes, and cars.
This is by no means an extensive list as the blog post would end up being a book so instead I direct you to check out this awesome book written by Kim Brophey Meet Your Dog. This easy to understand book breaks your dog down into not just DNA but other parts of them using Kim’s L.E.G.S. (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self) and is a great step to better set you and your dog up for success.
As always we are here to help you and your dog better co-exist in your home and your life.