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Different Dog Breed Traits

So what dog breed is right for you? Large dog breeds? Small dog breeds? Is choosing the right dog breed important? Should you get the most popular dog breed or one that fits your lifestyle? It’s a fact that not all dogs are created equally, and it is also a fact that not all dogs meet the standards of their particular breed. People familiar with dogs know of the snappy traits of the Golden Retriever and the sweet, loving nature of the Newfoundland which goes against everything that you thought you knew about these gentle giants. And, as with anything else in life, there is always the exception to the rule, but thankfully, there are enough of the dogs that do follow their breed traits and standards to make them worth exploring when you are looking to bring a dog into your family.

It must be said that dog breed traits are just merely guidelines to aid you in evaluating the type of dog that will suit your needs but like people, dogs are individuals that have different personalities and temperaments so, dog breed traits may not fully nor adequately describe each individual dog. It is best to always evaluate each individual dog on its own merit, but please keep any potential traits that might seem problematic to you in the back of your mind.

There are some breeds of dogs that are known for being both overly rambunctious and hyperactive creatures and if they are not properly trained and monitored at all times they have the potential to develop persistent, destructive behaviors or become complete nuisances. Surprisingly, these include some very popular dog breeds like the Labrador Retrievers, the Jack Russell terrier, and the collie. The very hyperactive Jack Russell Terriers have a tendency to constantly dig when bored, while the Labrador Retriever tends to show his unhappiness by refusing to be fully housebroken. All of these breeds of dogs are very intelligent and highly trainable with the right dog training program!

Some dog breeds are constant barkers, or even worse, if they are from the Hound group of dogs, they bay and howl which travels for miles. The cute Boarder Collie, has a sharp bark that is hard to take, while many of the miniature and toy groups of dogs, like the Chihuahua, the Pomeranian and the Lhasa Apso tend to drive you crazy with their high pitched incessant yapping. What’s worse, people who own small dogs tend to own two or more of them. Talk about a chorus of yappy dogs! The Chihuahua is also known for their stubbornness with housebreaking and they tend to be a bit of a biter. My neighbors Chihuahua would lay outside on their porch for most of the day, then get up, stretch and head inside the house to pee on their floor. I know of an excellent dog training course that will put a stop to that in a heartbeat but I guess my neighbor would rather have a house that smells like dog urine.

The Basenji is known as the barkless dog, but don’t be fooled into thinking they are completely without sound because instead of a typical dog bark, they yodel! Timid dogs tend to overreact to each and every sound they hear or movement they see and will bark as well. Like I said earlier, hound breeds like Beagles, Basset Hounds, Fox Hounds, Blood Hounds, etc., tend to be the howlers, especially if they hear sirens or trains. Hounds that live in urban areas are bound to be miserable, and drive all of the neighbors crazy.

There are some dog breeds that no one would say anything bad about, and then there those breeds that no one would say one good word about. As far as I am concerned, it does not matter if you want a pet from large dog breeds or small dog breeds, hound dog breeds or miniature dog breeds. There are no bad dogs! Only bad dog owners! A little bit of dog training goes a long way.