Zaraki KenpachiDogs are adorable creatures. They are not only cute, but they are also friendly, loyal and useful in many ways. However, they come in a variety of breeds and this is what informs the character that they exhibit. While some are friendlier and are suitable for use as pets, others are more aggressive and suitable for other purposes. These include security, as work dogs or guard dogs.
The different qualities of these dog breeds are what makes them endearing to humans. Some pet parents may even choose to have one or more breeds of dogs.
A breed of animal is how the particular type of animal is classified based on its different characteristics. These include the way they look, their temperament, general properties, strains, size, color, behavior and so on. There are at least around 400 known breeds of dogs. You can learn more about this here.
There are pure breeds which mean that they are not mixed with other types. There are also crossbreeds which involve crossing two or more canines together.
Dog Breed Groups
Dog breeds are also grouped into 7 main groups. These are:
- The working group
- The toy group
- The herding group
- The hound group
- The terrier group
- The sporting group
- The non-sporting group
Breeds such as Chihuahuas, Maltese, Silky Terriers, pugs, etc. belong to the toy group and are suitable as pets. The working group are intelligent dogs and are loyal. They include Akitas, Huskies, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, etc.
Dogs such as Greyhounds, Beagles, Salukis, American Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, etc. belong to the hound group. The Terrier group includes Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire, Airedale Terriers, Scottish Terriers, Border Terriers, Jack Russel Terriers, etc. These groups are bold and come with great instincts.
The herding group is made up of canines such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, etc. These breeds are energetic and smart and are great for corralling other animals. That is, they are good for herding livestock.
The sporting group includes high-energy animals that are used for retrieving games and of course, may be used for sports. They include Irish Setters, Golden Retrievers, American Water Spaniels, English Setters, English Springer Spaniels, etc.
The non-sporting group typically includes dogs that do not fit into the other groups. They include Bulldogs, Chow Chows, Finnish Spitz, Dalmatians, French Bulldogs, and Poodles. The Holistapet guide provides more information on the various breeds available.
Choosing A Dog Breed
With over 400 breeds, it can be overwhelming to choose one. The best breed to choose for anyone is typically dependent on the reason why the person wants a dog. You can find tips here that will guide you on doing this.
Why You Need A Dog
The first thing to consider when choosing a dog breed is the reason why you need one. You may need to list out your reasons. This will go a long way to help you determine the type of breed to choose. For example, you can check out the various dog groups above and select one that is appropriate for what you want. If you want companionship, you can go for breeds like Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, and those from the toy group.
Energy Levels and Temperament
The next factor to consider in choosing a canine is its temperament. Some dogs are more friendly and outgoing than others. They are very good with kids and with families. Therefore, if you want a dog that will be around people a lot, you should go for one that is friendly. If you have kids, then you need a kid-friendly one.
If you need it for work then your best bet is to choose one from the herding group. For security, breeds like Rottweilers, Dobermans, Mastiffs, Great Dane, etc. are the best. You may need your pet for jogging as a guide, and so on. You should research and choose one that will serve this purpose.
You can research by reading books and articles, checking dog temperament test websites and asking breeders. You may also spend time with or observe dogs that you have access to. Bear in mind that although dogs may be of the same breed, individual ones may have different temperaments. These can be due to different factors like the way they were trained.
Also see: Best dog foods
Size
Some dog breeds grow very big when they become adults while some are diminutive in size. You, therefore, need to know how big whatever breed you are choosing will grow up to be. Would you like a big dog and would you have enough space to accommodate such a size?
Resources Available and Your Lifestyle
Taking care of canines can be quite expensive. You have to buy their food, take them to the vet, buy medications and groom them in other ways. All of these cost some money. You should also consider the time you have to spend with them
That said, some dog breeds are less expensive than others and some require less time and attention. You should consider your lifestyle and the resources available at your disposal when choosing your canine. You can read more on this here https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-right-dog-breed#6-factors-to-consider-when-choosing-a-dog.
Conclusion
Dogs are lovely to have due to their characteristics. In fact, they are the most owned pet the world over. However, selecting a dog breed to own is not quite easy due to the sheer number of these breeds available. You can use this article as a guide or check out the various dog groups available.
Hugh Hay
