07.06.09
Breed Love vs. Breed Logic
Is a Basset right for you?
Well, as I’ve been at this for three months now, I suppose now is as good a time as any to start talking about dogs. This won’t be the last time , I assure you.
A while back I stumbled upon a great resource provided by Animal Planet for choosing a dog breed that you’re compatible with. I don’t think many people have considered this – most of the time when someone purchases a dog, they’re going for what’s cute and cuddly, or big and menacing… whatever their idea of the perfect dog is. More often than not, what they end up with isn’t so perfect, and unfortunately too many of these dogs end up in shelters, on the streets, or condemned to a life in a back yard with little or no human interaction.
For those who choose to get their dogs from a rescue organization (kudos, btw), there’s an old adage that you don’t pick the dog, the dog picks you. Without a doubt, my Whippet-mix Buster chose me. I actually had very little say at all, and I must say he is my baby, my one true love. But still, having seen the dark underbelly of dog rescue, I think it’s time that we as a society start becoming more educated about breed as part of the animal rights movement sweeping the nation.
But, all “good fortune” stories aside, how many of us actually know which dog breed is best for us? I’m shocked sometimes about how little people actually know about their own dogs, much less dogs in general. For example, those fearsome “attack dogs”, pit bulls? Yeah, they’re one of the most social dog breeds as far as humans go. It’s only other dogs they typically have an issue with. As long as you’re not dealing with an abused or otherwise traumatized pit, you’re going to be fine. No, really. Just don’t play too much tug of war or other dominance games. Most bites are accidental and result from human ignorance rather than dog aggression.
Prior to Buster, I always thought that the best dog breeds were, in random order: Basset Hounds, Pit Bulls, Collies, German Shepherds, Great Danes… all the large breed dogs, the bigger the better, and I had quite a few favorites, though I’ll stick with those 5 as an example.
As it turns out, medium sized dogs are actually a better match for me. They generally have less health problems than large breed dogs. Also, a short coated dog matches my lifestyle better than the luscious locks of the Collies or Shepherds. I was a 95% match with the Whippet, which confirms that Buster and I are truly a match made in heaven. And fortunately, Basset Hounds weren’t too far down the list, so I am fairly compatible with a breed that I truly just adore and a breed that Buster seems to get along with as well.
By being logical in our choices for a family pet or companion animal, we can reduce the number of dogs abandoned or turned in to shelters. It’s a small step, but it’s something.
To take the quiz to find out what dog breeds are right for you, go here.
My success story, Buster.
DL said,
July 7, 2009 at 3:34 am
Good point. I have a dog now and I love her (and she really loves me) but she’s not right for us. She’s too hyper and untrained. She can’t be inside because of the baby (unless she’s in her crate or the garage.) It’s hot outside. She doesn’t get enough attention. And she’s in the yard. I feel badly for her. I halfway want to give her to someone who knows lots about JRTs (or mixes anyway) but don’t know if I could part with her. Maybe you could come train her, dog whisperer.
DL said,
July 7, 2009 at 3:36 am
By the way – the quiz said I’m Chinese Crested Dog, Flat Coat Retriever, Golden Retriever, Lab, Papillion and Toy Fox Terrier all at 96%. Funny thing is my dog now is thought to be a mix of JRT, Rat Terrier and/or Fox Terrier. And she is off the wall 100 percent of the time.
Linz said,
July 7, 2009 at 11:15 pm
The thing about terriers (any and all terriers) is that they can be really wonderful dogs but they need lots and lots of attention and training. And they need a stable and dependable routine that revolves around them being trained.
The easiest resource I’ve found for training, believe it or not, is Victoria Stillwell’s book (you know, the lady who does “It’s Me or The Dog”?).
Unfortunately, with any breed of dog, the longer they stay confined (or ostracized from human attention), the worse their behavior gets. It sucks but that’s what happens, especially for social dogs like rat terriers.
But out of curiosity, what energy level did you select on the quiz? Retrievers and Labs tend to have high energy despite their loyal characteristics… if it’s Lola you’re concerned about, perhaps selecting a low energy and exercise level might illuminate some future considerations.
V said,
July 11, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Well, unfortunately, I have no interest in this area.