This information is an excerpt from The Valor K9 Academy Online Puppy Head Start© program. Content is copyrighted. Do not use copyrighted work without expressed written permission from Valor K9 Academy or you will risk being liable for copyright infringement.
PUPPY SELECTION: A 3-STEP PROCESS
Picking out a puppy is more than going online and looking for puppy advertisements. You need to do your homework first so that you are looking in the right direction to begin with.
When it comes to selecting a puppy, there are three important steps:
- Selecting a breed
- Choosing a breeder (or rescue)
- Picking a puppy
I am going to break down step one for you.
STEP 1: SELECTING A BREED
When it comes to selecting a breed, the first thing you need to consider is your lifestyle. Below are some questions to ask yourself so that you can narrow down the search for the best suitable breed of dog to own.
Lifestyle Considerations
- Where do you live?
Your living situation matters. Do you live in a downtown apartment or a home in the suburbs? Are you out in the country? Do you have a big yard, a small yard, or no yard at all? Do you have access to hiking trails or do you live in an urban area?
How much space you have to offer a dog affects the size and energy level of the dog that you should get. Smaller and lower energy dogs do fine in close quarters and small spaces, whereas bigger and higher energy dogs need more room to run.
You should also find out if your apartment, homeowners association, or home insurance plan have any breed restrictions. This could significantly alter your options.
- Who lives with you?
Do you live alone, have roommates, or are you married with kids? If you do not have kids now, do you plan to have them sometime in the next ten to fifteen years? A dog is a long-term commitment. What about allergies? Does anyone have allergies to pet dander? Is a low-shedding dog a better option for you? Does anyone have breed preferences?
Planning ahead is key!
Letting everyone weigh in on selecting a puppy will help things go more smoothly in the long run because raising a puppy requires all hands on deck.
- What does your schedule look like?
Who is the puppy’s primary caretaker and what does that person’s schedule look like?
Chances are, you are the primary caregiver. So, let me ask you, do you work long hours or short hours? Do you work from home or are you a stay-at-home parent? How much time do you have on a daily basis to invest into your dog’s exercise, training, and care?
The average dog needs approximately one hour, every day, of exercise, training, and care. You can double this amount for high drive dogs, high energy dogs, and working dogs. A dog owner must always be honest about their schedule and available time about your schedule and your available time when it comes to selecting a dog.
Too much dog and too little time is a recipe for disaster!
- How active are you?
Are you an active person who likes to be outdoors? Do you spend your free time exercising, exploring, and being on the move or do you prefer a more sedentary lifestyle?
Ideally, you want to select a dog whose energy level matches or is less than yours.
Do not get a high energy dog in hopes of using that dog to coerce you into going outside and being more active. That kind of plan usually backfires and ends up with a dog who is restless, pacing, whining, and potentially, becomes destructive because her needs are not being met on a regular basis.
I am a high energy person, and I do best with medium energy dogs. My dogs are happy to go hiking, biking, and running with me while also being content laying around the house while I get work done.
- What job do you need this dog to do?
The all-important question: Why are you getting a dog and what is it the dog going to do?
Most dogs have a primary job and a secondary job. The primary job is what the dog does most of the time. The secondary job is what the dog does only part of the time.
My dogs are versatile and have four main jobs. They are family dogs, service dogs, protection dogs, and helper dogs for me as a dog trainer. I ask a lot of them, and, in return, I am very careful to select dogs who have the genetic potential for all four jobs. From there, I raise them to excel in all four of their jobs with Family Dog being primary and most important.
So, I ask you one more time, what are you getting your dog for? Do you want a family companion, a hunting dog, a working dog, a therapy dog, a service dog, or maybe a sport dog? The job you choose for your dog is what he will be doing most of the time.
Take some time to really think about what you want and need in a dog.
- How experienced are you with dogs?
Is this your first dog or have you had dogs your whole life? How many dogs have you raised? How many have you trained? How successful were you?
Being honest about your personal experience with dogs will help eliminate dogs that may not be a good fit for you. Typically, high speed dogs and working breeds are more responsibility than most people can handle. The higher drive the dog is, the faster he goes and the harder he can be to handle.
Getting a dog is like buying a car. Focus on what you need as opposed to what you want. A high drive dog is like a sports car. Do you need a sports car or are you looking for a daily commuter?
Now, let’s talk about breeds!
Breeds and Breed Groups
There is a huge variety of dog breeds to choose from. In fact, there are over three hundred and thirty internationally recognized dog breeds. For the sake of simplicity, we are going to focus on breeds recognized within the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC recognizes over two hundred different breeds and are categorized into seven breed groups. Each breed group contains dogs that are specifically bred for certain traits and drives.
Let’s look at each one.
Breed Group #1: Herding
Herding dogs like Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, and German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent and have the instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. These dogs require a job because, if left unchecked, their herding instinct can lead to obsessive-compulsive behaviors like chasing cars, biting tires, and herding children!
Breed Group #2: Hound
Hounds, such as Beagles, Bloodhounds, and Coonhounds, have acute sensing powers and phenomenal stamina. They love to work and have lots of energy. Hounds produce a unique baying sound that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Breed Group #3: Toy
Toy dogs like Chihuahuas and Havanese have big personalities so do not let their size fool you! When properly socialized, they are quite adaptable and suitable for a wide range of lifestyles. Socialization is key though because they need to be treated like dogs, not accessories.
Breed Group #4: Non-Sporting
Non-Sporting dogs are made up of a diverse group of breeds with varying coats and sizes. Some popular breeds include Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs. Some of the breeds within this group are laid-back while others are energetic and require ample exercise and training.
Breed Group #5: Sporting
Sporting dogs like English Springer Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers are active and alert. They are likable and well-rounded companions who are known for their superior instincts in water and woods. Well-bred sporting dogs are great hunting partners and can be wonderful family dogs too, provided their need to work is regularly fulfilled.
Breed Group #6: Terrier
Terriers are feisty and energetic dogs who are bred to hunt and kill. They are spirited animals who usually have a bit of attitude. Terriers require strong-willed owners who know how to work with them and can fulfill their instinctual desires.
Breed Group #7: Working
Working dogs like Cane Corsos, Giant Schnauzers, and Saint Bernards were bred to perform jobs like property protection, sled pulling, and water rescue. They are quick to learn, intelligent, and capable. They make solid working companions but can be unsuitable as family pets. Like all dogs, they need proper socialization and training with owners who can handle their size and strength.
Next, let’s talk about a fun topic that is mentioned a lot when researching different breeds: Drives!
Drives
Which Breed Group Appeals to You?
Now that you have a better understanding of breeds and drives, tell me: Which group appeals to you most? Which group of dogs produce the correct temperament and drives for the jobs you have in mind? Write down those breed groups and do more research on them. Study them extensively! Talk with breeders and groomers. Join chat groups. Visit dog shows and never, ever be afraid to ask questions about a breed you have in mind.
The more you learn, the better you will be at picking the right breed for you!
My Favorite Breeds
You might be wondering, Which breeds do you recommend? I am asked this question a lot. Over the years, I have curated a list of my top breeds based on personal experiences training and interacting with them.
My favorite dog breeds for families are: Australian Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Collies, English Golden Retrievers, English Labrador Retrievers, English Mastiffs, English Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, Havanese, Newfoundlands, and Standard Poodles.
My preferred dog breeds for service work are: German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Standard Poodles.
What About Doodles?
If you do not know what a doodle is, it is a mix between a purebred dog and a Poodle and, from my experience, I am on the fence when it comes to this specific breed hybrid.
Sometimes with doodles, you get the best of both worlds – a lower-shedding dog that is healthy and has a great temperament. Other times, you get a hodgepodge of genetics and a dog who is unstable, unpredictable, and plagued with health problems.
When looking at doodle breeders, it is important to find a breeder whose focus is on health and temperament as opposed to size and color.
Narrowing Down Breeds
Now that you have done your research on dog breeds, one must try to narrow down their list to just one breed and embark on step two of the puppy selection process.
Happy Training!
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