| Most people like cuddly puppies and grown-up dogs. | | | | children. |
| But before you welcome a new dog into your home, | | | | Want a dog you can dress up and put in cute |
| there are some things you need to think through to | | | | clothes? Then look for a dog that has plenty of hair |
| be sure both you and your new best friend are | | | | (for those fancy hair-dos) and is small enough to |
| happy and healthy. | | | | carry around. "Designer dogs" like Poodles, Yorkies |
| Remember that dogs, no matter what they are | | | | and Westies, Bichon Frises, Pomeranians, and the |
| today, were predators in the past. Wolves, hyenas, | | | | more exotic Shih Tzu are excellent candidates for |
| dingoes, and foxes are carnivorous creatures who | | | | this. |
| hunt to survive. Dogs were most likely domesticated | | | | If you're looking for protection, be sure to look at |
| from their wolf ancestors from 20,000 to 15,000 | | | | breeds that aren't too friendly to strangers. Great |
| years ago. In fact, the many dog breeds have only | | | | Danes are huge and intimidating, but they're likely to |
| proliferated in the last 200-300 years. Before that, a | | | | fall in love with the first burglar they meet! Bulldogs |
| few breeds existed to meet their masters' needs for | | | | are another breed that look fierce but come out |
| work. | | | | kissing. German Shepherds are probably the most |
| When you own a dog, remember that the wolf is | | | | familiar and trainable guard dogs. Other breeds also |
| somewhere in there hiding. Depending on its breed | | | | protect your home and family: Rottweilers, Boxers, |
| and the way you treat it, that wolf could surprise | | | | Doberman Pinchers, and Giant Schnauzers are among |
| you with a quick snip or a more vicious attack. | | | | them. |
| Careful selection and training of your dog will assure | | | | There are a few breeds that were created for their |
| that your best friend remains a best friend. | | | | ferociousness. Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers are |
| Before you select a dog, do your homework. | | | | notorious for vicious attacks. So if you are |
| Become familiar with dog breeds and personality | | | | considering these breeds, you must be very clear |
| traits, and compare these to your personal reasons | | | | about what to expect and very careful in training a |
| for having a dog. Do you want a cute, cuddly friend | | | | well-behaved dog. |
| to dress up and carry around? Do you want a | | | | When you decide to bring a dog into your home, you |
| champion at dog agility competitions or a champion | | | | need to be educated about what you need, what |
| show dog? Do you want a companion for your | | | | you want, and what breed will most likely fulfill your |
| children? Or do you want a body guard and home | | | | goals. When you adopt a dog, you are adding a |
| protector? Do you need support to cope with a | | | | member to your family - one for which you will be |
| disability? | | | | responsible for a lifetime. You should be committed |
| Each breed has characteristics that indicate what | | | | to working through all the behavioral and training |
| your life with your new friend will be like. If you | | | | kinks and providing a stable, loving home. You'll not |
| aren't very patient or don't like a lot of noise, you | | | | only have to train your dog, but you'll have to be |
| probably shouldn't adopt a small, energetic dog with | | | | trained in how to handle that dog. |
| lots of demands for attention. If you want an | | | | A final note: Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, says, |
| affectionate loyal companion, you might want to | | | | "There are no bad dogs. Only bad dog owners." No |
| consider a Golden or Labrador Retriever or a Collie. If | | | | matter what breed you bring into your home, in the |
| you want to protect your property, you might take | | | | end, you are the one responsible for your dog's |
| a look at a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler, or a | | | | behavior. Learn all you can about the dog you hope |
| Doberman Pincher. | | | | to own, and learn all you can about yourself as a |
| If your household includes young children, your choice | | | | pack leader. Even the feared Pit Bull is a sweet loving |
| should be a careful one. Your new dog will have to | | | | dog in the right hands. |
| be patient and tolerate with kindness having its tail | | | | No matter what breed you think you want, you |
| pulled, being jumped on, and engaged in wrestling for | | | | should know about the specific dog's parentage, |
| hours on end. Bulldogs, American Eskimo dogs, | | | | personal history, and temperament before making |
| Beagles, Retrievers, Setters, Sheepdogs, and many | | | | the commitment to be his lifetime caretaker and |
| Terriers are among the many breeds good with | | | | friend. |