Doggone Etiquette —

Which Dog?

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

This is sort of a warning. You may be the one and only dog in the house, and your VIPeople may think you need a canine companion. Or you may be getting on in years and those nice people are thinking ahead to what lovely dog may (attempt to!) replace you. Or, maybe you live next door to people who don’t have a dog and they are considering many of the things they like – and don’t like – about you when looking for a dog of their own. Some of their criticism may be unfair and hard to take, so close your eyes and put your paws over your ears!

A Word to a Would-be Dog’s Owner:

The list of what we “do want” and “don’t want” is endless when it comes to making the decision to bring a new (or first) dog into the home. It is made even more complicated when various members of the family can’t agree on the basics and lean toward getting multiple dogs. Regardless of the size or the breed, one dog at a time is the sensible way to go, adding a second if and when all is going well. Anyone who takes on more than that should know exactly what they’re getting into. It could be a well-run kennel, or a disaster!              

Parents must take the blame if they lay down too many, often contradictory, restrictions. If they are determined not to have a dog at all, they need to make the reasons for that decision very clear to the children. Some of those dreamed-up requirements can go far beyond the capabilities of any dog in the world! I’ve heard many of them. They don’t want a dog that barks or jumps up on people. The dog must not shed indoors, but then we’re told the dog will be kept mostly outdoors. They can’t decide on what size dog, but definitely it has to be easy to train. They want it to be friendly with strangers, but a good watch dog.  The list of pros and cons is endless.

Let’s have a look at why these things serve as warning signals to breeders and shelters alike NOT to place a dog with such a family. If anyone is going to get a dog, thinking to impose all these restrictions and have it live mostly outdoors, my advice would be to get a goat or perhaps a pig. There are plenty of breeds of dogs that don’t shed, but there’s no dog with a coat that will only shed outdoors. Dogs left outdoors generally bark their heads off when anyone approaches (friend or foe), but that is not being a good watch dog – merely a barker. It wasn’t mentioned in the list above, but the heat of summer, cold of winter as well as rain and thunderstorms require proper outdoor facilities.

It’s interesting that two things that should be very important to would-be dog owners are often overlooked. They are temperament (or personality) and activity level. Does the prospective dog owner want a dog that is active? Docile? Bred to hunt? Or to guard? Or just mindlessly to count falling leaves? Purebred dogs have been honed over many years with specific aims meant to serve mankind’s needs. 

The best way to start searching for the “right” dog is to learn about the breeds that appeal to you visually, and then to look into which ones would fit your family’s lifestyle and personal needs. For example, a child of divorced parents might need a quiet, but attentive pal (maybe a small, cuddly one) whereas people who enjoy weekend activities like hiking and outdoor sports should look for an athletic breed. The newest dogs around are labeled “designer dogs” but in true terms they are simply mixed breeds. If that is what you want, visit the local shelter until that special dog meant just for you shows up. You will have rescued a worthy dog and saved yourself thousands of dollars on “design.”   

However the dog is chosen, it must be a family decision or the one person who “won the toss” will be blamed for every doggy mishap.

Visit dog shows, talk to breeders, and when everyone has agreed on one or two different breeds, visit the breeders’ kennels to meet adult dogs. That’s very important because all puppies are adorable heart-warmers!

Until next time – BE GOOD!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.