Each dog breed exhibits unique characteristics that influence their behavior.

Today, discover a rating system you can use to get a better idea of what to expect from your dog.

Show Highlights

• This is a three-part series
• We're going to talk about very specific characteristics in specific breeds and cover main characteristics.
• Knowing these characteristics will help you better choose your forever-pet.
• Genetics will influence the type of personality it demonstrates, the energy of the dog, etc.
• Understanding this, you can better respond as to why the dog is behaving this way
• STOP! Comparing your new dog to the last dog and why this new dog is not as great as your new dog
• Even if you get the same exact breed it is not the same dog each dog has its own individual characteristics.
• Dogtime.com this website breaks down each breed and sub headings for each one of those.

These are the five main breakdown points:

1. Adaptability
2. All-Around Friendliness
3. Health and Grooming
4. Trainability
5. Energy / Activity Levels

Adaptability

• Does this dog adapt well to living in an apartment good with living in smaller areas?
• Is your dog going to be ok with you working 8-10 hours a day?
  • A Border Collie might not do as well as a bull dog.
• Does your dog tolerate a lot of activity or noise?

All-Around Friendliness

• Does your dog get along with other people, other dogs?
• It is important to compare this characteristic with your lifestyle when looking at a specific breed of dogs
• Cocker Spaniels have a tendency to latch onto one owner instead of multiple if you are very social, this dog breed may not be the best family dog.

Health and Grooming

• Do these dogs shed a lot?
• Are they hypo-allergenic?
• Does the dog drool a lot, like a mastiff?
• Are they easy to groom or complicated, like a Yorkie?
• Also pay attention to the size a Yorkie is a lot different from a Mastiff!
• Consider your own health when choosing a dog.

Trainability

• Intelligence and “easy-to-train” do not go hand in hand!
• Bennie's experience is that more intelligent dogs are harder to have as pets, for example a Border Collie.
• Dogs that are very trainable and adaptable are ones such as Labradors.
• If your dog has a big prey drive, then they have something they will focus on and will help you with training utilizing motivation

Energy / Activity Levels

• If you live a relatively sedate lifestyle, you might consider:
  • Small breed: Bichon
  • Medium-size breed: Basset Hound
  • Large breed: Mastiff.
• Look at the energy levels of your dogs
• If you are very active, you don't want to have a basset hound

Homework

• What is it that you would be looking for to match your lifestyle?
• What are the things you need to analyze in order to bring a dog into your home?
• Investigate a breed that will be right for you consider the following factors:
  • Decide whether you want an adult dog or a puppy
  • Almost 25% of the dogs in a shelter facility are purebred
  • Size matters larger dogs on average cost more to manage a year than a smaller dog
  • Consider about the amount of area you need in your home for your dogs and you to co-live
  • How active you are can largely influence what dog you should get
  • Do you have a large family or other pets such as cats or other dogs that would not get along with other dogs
  • Is the area you currently live in dog friendly
  • Future thinking are you going to outlive this dog?
• A few other things to consider :
  • How much time will you be spending with your dog ?
  • Do you have outside support ?
  • Are you ready for dog destruction ?
  • Are you willing to do what it takes for that dog to train them?
  • Is your home puppy-proof?

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