101 Things to Know Before Getting a Dog. Susan Ewing M.

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      Italian Greyhound puppy

      The Poodle typically ranks among the AKC’s top ten most popular breeds, and Toy Poodles certainly make delightful companions and are just as lively and intelligent as the larger varieties (Miniature and Standard, members of the Non-Sporting Group). While they may not have the size to retrieve ducks, they can learn tricks and, if obedience or agility appeals to you, your little Poodle will be happy to join you. Health concerns include luxating patellas, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, and hypothyroidism. The overall lifespan is fourteen to eighteen years, with Toy Poodles likely to reach the far end of this range.

      The popular Shih Tzu has a long double coat that you can easily keep in a puppy trim. This sturdy little dog weighs between 9 and 16 pounds and makes a good watchdog—but once you let a new person inside your home, the Shih Tzu is all about love. Health concerns include dental problems, luxating patellas, and progressive retinal atrophy. Shih Tzus are also prone to renal dysplasia, a disease in which the kidneys don’t develop normally. This condition can be inherited, so make sure the breeder has had the parents tested. Shih Tzus have large, front-facing eyes that can easily be injured. Life expectancy in the breed is from ten to eighteen years.

      It’s a hard-hearted person who can resist the big brown eyes and soft expression of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This lovely little spaniel weighs between 10 and 18 pounds and wants to be with you no matter what you’re doing. He’s happy to go for a long walk, participate in a doggy activity, or just curl up next to you for a snooze. While Cavaliers can live from ten to fourteen years, they unfortunately are susceptible to a heart disease called mitral valve disease. This condition can be controlled with medication, but there is no cure. Cavaliers may also have syringomyelia, a nervous-system disorder that causes fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord, resulting in pain and sensitivity in the head and neck. Syringomyelia may be managed with pain medicine or corrected with surgery, but it may also be so severe that the dog must be euthanized.

      The Pomeranian has been bred down from about 30 pounds to its current size of 3 to 7 pounds, but it’s still a charming, high-energy spitz-type dog. That thick double coat needs attention in the form of thorough brushings, but that’s about it. Poms make good watchdogs; if you want a silent companion, keep looking. They’re probably not the best with children because of their size. Besides the luxating patellas and dental problems common in toy breeds, Poms may have collapsing tracheas, which makes wearing a collar problematic. They are also susceptible to skin problems. The lifespan is fifteen years or more.

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      Sporting Group

      The AKC’s Sporting Group includes:

      American Water Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Brittany, Flat-Coated Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Pointer, Clumber Spaniel, German Wirehaired Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Vizsla, Curly-Coated Retriever, Irish Setter, Weimaraner, English Cocker Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, English Setter

      The Sporting Group is the oldest AKC group, consisting largely of dogs used for hunting, specifically fowl. Some of these dogs were bred to retrieve waterfowl and thus may have webbed feet along with a high tolerance for diving into cold water. Others were bred to point and/or flush birds on land and then retrieve the fallen game. Many of these dogs, such as the Vizsla and the Weimaraner, are very high-energy dogs, needing lots of exercise. Most sporting dogs were not bred to curl up on the couch with you—not that many of them aren’t happy to do just that, but only after a long day in the field or after some other strenuous exercise. Other sporting dogs, such as the Clumber Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, and Cocker Spaniel, are a bit more laid back. Almost all of the sporting breeds are friendly and ready to play, and if you live near water, they’ll love going for a swim. If you’re a hunter, you can’t go wrong with one of these breeds; if you enjoy competition, there’s not much that these dogs can’t do.

      There are a variety of coat types in this group, but none needs much professional care unless you’re planning to show your dog. Cocker Spaniel coats have gotten thicker and longer in the show ring, but if you aren’t showing your Cocker, you can keep his coat much shorter.

      The Labrador Retriever has been the number-one breed in terms of AKC registrations for decades, and it’s easy to see why. Labs have short, easy-care coats and come in black, chocolate, and yellow. They are family-friendly and, at 55 to 80 pounds, are sturdy enough to enjoy a bit of roughhousing with children. They’ll happily play fetch for hours, join you for a swim, or retrieve a duck. Most are good with other pets as well. Hip and elbow dysplasia are a concern, as is progressive retinal atrophy, and some Labs may be susceptible to skin allergies. Life expectancy is ten to thirteen years.