How to pick a puppy
Learn what the pro’s know and make a better decision
This is all available as a downloadable ebook HERE
Before we get into this, I want you to P.A.U.S.E. and understand that you are not going to pick a puppy just because it’s cute. Or just because it’s Christmas. Or just because it’s your kids’ birthday. Get the picture? This is a LIFE-LONG decision, and needs some major pause to make the right one.
Ok. Now we can get going.
Little intro first: If you’re new here… I’m Katie. I've been a part of the pet industry my whole life. As a groomer, trainer, nutritionist, manager of a large breeding business and vet tech.
What I’m about to share comes from years of skills and knowledge from all of these professions, plus help from colleagues. All in an effort to help you make the best decision ;)
Bonus at the end: Litter characteristics and why they matter. Should you get male/femal dominant/submissive?
***This is not an all-inclusive book, but a reference point to get you started on making your decision on your next pup.
First things to know:
I will be using definitions taken directly from the AKC website (AKC.org) and using their categories as well, because they are the standard for breeds. Keep in mind that these categories pertain to pure-bred dogs that the AKC recognizes.
With that, understand that any mixed pup is not actually a breed. If you are looking at a mixed pup, look at all the breeds within the mix as you go through this book.
The breed you choose is your decision. Contrary to all the bashing on social media, what type of a dog you choose, and how you obtain that dog is no one’s business. Follow what is right in your heart, and stop the shaming.
For those who like to research and want to make the right choice this book will give you some generalization to begin your search with. I won't go through every dog breed. There are far more comprehensive books for that, we will only discuss the general groups of dogs and what you can expect from those groups, including what reality is going to be bringing them home.
As you start this journey of choosing your pup, I want you to keep your lifestyle in mind as well. It’s okay that you work, travel, have limited time at home, but still want a companion. Dogs adjust really well to what their lifestyle is and where their love will come from.
My major piece of advice here is you need to be aware of what each breed will require and be okay with ALL the characteristics of that breed before proceeding. Genetics are genetics and we can’t guarantee what genetics are going to produce. A good breeder will be able to guide you, but they still can’t guarantee anything. If you are going to mix breeds, then you need to be okay with ALL the characteristics from ALL the breeds involved. We’ve seen so many breed mixings that didn’t have consistent results and now we have a lot of frustrated owners dealing with those problems. Just be educated about what you want, what fits your lifestyle, and what the breed will require.
I encourage you to also keep in mind your insurance policy, home insurance, and how likely you are to get someone to watch your dog when you need to go on vacation.
Each breed is also going to be genetically predisposed to certain diseases. If you are willing to help your dog through the possibility of that disease, then keep that breed on your list. Along with diseases, consider how the shape of the dogs’ head will affect your life as well. HSVMA.org has great information on those characteristics, especially brachycephalic breeds. If you can’t deal with the possibility of each genetic predisposition, then keep searching.
The working group
According to the AKC, a working breed is “quick to learn, intelligent, strong, watchful, and alert. Bred to assist man, they excel at jobs such as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues. Doberman Pinschers, Siberian Huskies & Great Danes are part of this group."
Training: Working dogs are eager to learn & please you. When bringing them home, realize they may guard & that will depend on what they attach to & what they're trained on. It may be more difficult teaching them to walk in a heel, especially if you use a harness-which will only tap into their natural ability and desire to pull.
You will need to give these dogs jobs, as that’s what they’re bred for. You will have to incorporate small jobs for them throughout the day to keep their mind active and engaged.
Grooming will typically include a lot of de-shedding, especially for the Husky or Akita to remove the thick undercoat. All of these breeds will shed to some degree, your weather pattern may make it more significant.
The herding group
“Herding breeds share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. These breeds were developed to gather, herd & protect livestock. Today, some like the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd Dog are commonly used for police and protection work.” AKC
These dogs will need a lot of mental & physical stimulation. They are going to be high-drive. This means they have a lot of energy & need to expel that every day, by performing tasks & being engaged with you. They want to use their mind & athleticism to do their job & require a lot of daily work on your part. You will also see massive improvements & training expertise with these dogs.
Their herding mentality can be a problem if you have kids & they aren’t given the proper boundaries or opportunities to expel their energy. You will need to train a lot & have the ability to work them every day.
These breeds will require some grooming, especially for shedding. Expect to be brushing & dematting, even more so when they are out working and getting into nature.
The hound groupDefined by the AKC as having a “common ancestral trait of being used for hunting. Some use acute scenting powers to follow a trail. Others demonstrate a phenomenal gift of stamina as they relentlessly run down quarry. Beyond this, however, generalizations about hounds are hard to come by, since the Group encompasses quite a diverse lot. There are Pharaoh Hounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Afghans and Beagles, among others. Some hounds share the distinct ability to produce a unique sound known as baying. You’d best sample this sound before you decide to get a hound of your own to be sure it’s your cup of tea.”
Training will be a lot of fun with these pups, especially if you can utilize their hunting drive and incorporate that into meal time training.
In my limited experience with these breeds, they make great house pets and are a great addition to a family. They are prone to howl, which may be a problem in close city-living.
For grooming, most of these breeds will need to be brushed, and de-shedded to remove the undercoat.
The toy group
Probably the most common group out there, because of its convenient size, attitude & purpose. According to the AKC, “the diminutive size and winsome expressions of Toy dogs illustrate the main function of this Group: to embody sheer delight. Don’t let their tiny stature fool you, though – – many Toys are tough as nails. Toy dogs will always be popular with city dwellers and people without much living space. They make ideal apartment dogs and terrific lap warmers on nippy nights.”
Training a toy can be a challenge because of their feisty personality. They are small and have small stomachs so training sessions will typically be very short. Because they are small, they are easier to handle than a bigger dog. You will definitely need some expert help if you choose a toy dog, because of the many nuances of the group. Not all in this group can handle sharing their affection, so they might need to be in an only-dog household. They also don’t like sharing their favorite human.
Most of these breeds will also require monthly grooming. Some shed and some don’t, but these breeds will be at the groomer every month or two.
The non-sporting group
This is a diverse group & has some of the least common dogs you’ll see. According to the AKC, they are “sturdy animals with as different personalities and appearances as the Chow Chow, Dalmatian, French Bulldog, and Keeshond. Talk about differences in size, coat, and visage! The breeds in the Non-Sporting Group are a varied collection in terms of size, coat, personality and overall appearance.”
Training is going to be different for all the different breeds in this group. Some won’t have a high drive and require a lot of work, while others will. The Dalmation for example, typically has a lot of energy and will require an outlet. On the other hand, the Llasa Apso is perfectly happy curling up and enjoying a good snuggle.
Grooming is going to greatly vary within this group as well. Those with short hair will require basic maintenance, while those with longer coats will require monthly grooming appointments.
The sporting group
If you are up for sporting, then this is your group. These dogs are going to require attention & activity. According to the AKC, they are “naturally active & alert. Sporting dogs make likeable, well-rounded companions. Members of the Group include pointers, retrievers, setters & spaniels. Remarkable for their instincts in water & woods, many of these breeds actively continue to participate in hunting & other field activities. Potential owners of Sporting dogs need to realize that most require regular, invigorating exercise.” They make great family companions, especially good for families with kids.
For training, these dogs are fun and rewarding to be with. They have drive and desire to work with you, but don’t require as much attention as the working dogs. They love adventure and are good to relax with as well. Just as long as they’ve used up some physical and mental energy.
Grooming is simple with most of these breeds, some require monthly appointments but others can go a few months in between. Because these breeds love the water, they are prone to ear infections. So proper and frequent ear care will be at the top of your grooming list.
The terrier group
Personally my favorite group. These breeds are quick to learn & make a trainer look good. Just like the AKC states, “these are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from {mini to standard}. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt & kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they’re always eager for a spirited argument. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs’ lively characters.”
Consistency in training is going to be your greatest skill to match their persistent & stubborn nature. If you can’t be consistent in your training then these breeds are not for you. They are also pretty noisy so be aware of that.
Most of these breeds will need monthly grooming appointments. Breeds with wirey fur can require a special grooming technique called stripping. So you’ll want to find a groomer who is capable of doing that. Some of these breeds shed, and some don’t.
Litter characteristics & why they matter
Within each litter there will be submissive and dominant pups, of each gender. Let me explain why this matters, and how to pick the right one for you.
A dominant male will be the one to mark your furniture, bushes, etc because they lift their leg to pee. Here's how to identify within their litter: they will steal objects from other littermates, be more aggressive & dominant in play & be more vocal. They are more confident than their submissive male counterparts. For training, the advantage is they will listen & learn the skills they need. The disadvantage is they will often choose when to listen. Another advantage is they don’t shut down if you yell at them, nor do they revert in their training.
A dominant female is going to act very similarly to the dominant male. Surprisingly she will also mark, but won’t lift her leg. She will mark around the house, leaving little drops of pee in her territory. She will also mark outside, urinating frequently and especially on top of another dogs’ excrements.
The submissive pup (male or female) is going to be on the opposite end of the spectrum. They are going to be the pup the dominant pup picks on. They won’t mark the house, but they are more prone to submissively urinate. This means that when they get scared or are intimidated they will urinate. The disadvantage to a submissive pup is their insecurity. In training you cannot raise your voice to discipline, as this will shut the pup down and they can revert in training. You have to approach this pup gently and without force. The advantage is they are typically more in tune to the emotions and needs of their human. These pups make great service dogs because of that characteristic.
There may be other pups in the litter that are neither dominant nor submissive. These pups are going to be even-kill, easy to train, and good companions. They might not have the highest drive to learn and progress with you, but aren’t scared and intimidated by you either.
It’s imperative for you to understand what type of a dog you bring into your household. Even a dog in the same litter can dramatically change what happens. Your breeder should be able to guide you in this. I’ve seen many human relationships nearly broken up because the couple expected one thing and got the other, so discuss these points.
To be clear: Neither characteristic listed is better than the other. They are necessary for different needs. I just want you to be aware of what each entails, and what that could possibly mean for your future pup.
PHEW. That’s a lot of info to take in.I want you thinking about the puppy as a whole and all the expenses you’ll be taking on. Now that we have this foundation, let’s get ready to bring puppy home!
Follow this link to see the next blog “Things you need to bring puppy home”
