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

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      Beagle adult and puppy

      There are approximately 200 breeds of dog recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), with more on their way to recognition each year. The AKC categorizes breeds into seven regular groups—Terrier, Toy, Hound, Working, Herding, Sporting, and Non-Sporting—based on what the breeds were originally bred to do. An eighth group, the Miscellaneous Class, comprises breeds who have lower numbers in the United States and are in the process of proving their viability. Worldwide, there are more than 400 recognized breeds! So, you’ve got a wide field to choose from.

      Terriers are generally high-energy, fearless dogs who were bred to “go to ground”—a.k.a. dig—to catch prey. Toy breeds were created as portable companions. Hounds were originally part of the Sporting Group and are further classified as scenthounds or sighthounds based on their hunting style. Working dogs were bred to haul loads, act as guards, or protect livestock. Herding breeds were bred to herd livestock, moving them from place to place. The Sporting Group contains dogs that were bred to find game and, in many cases, retrieve it. The Non-Sporting Group covers a wide range of dogs, from Boston Terriers to Dalmatians, who were originally bred for specific jobs that no longer exist. If you want a dog for a specific purpose, like ridding a barn of vermin, herding a flock of sheep, or retrieving ducks, studying the dogs in the appropriate group will help you find the right dog for the job.

      Consistency in Breeding

      Don’t discount purebreds because you’ve heard that mixed breeds are healthier. Reputable breeders work hard to produce dogs that are sound physically and mentally, and they take advantage of the health tests available for their breeding stock. That doesn’t guarantee that a purebred won’t have a problem, but it’s a good start.

      One reason for choosing a purebred is that you want to compete in events that allow only purebreds. Years ago, I attended a dog show and was fascinated by the dogs in the obedience ring. I wanted to do that, too. At the time, we had a mixed-breed dog, and competitive events were open only to purebreds. After some research, I got our first Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Times have changed, and, while you still need a purebred to compete in conformation shows, mixed breeds can now compete in performance events.

      Another reason you might choose a purebred puppy or dog is that you know exactly what you are getting as far as size, weight, coat, and, to some extent, temperament. There’s no guesswork involved. A Corgi puppy will not grow to be 3 feet tall and weigh more than 100 pounds. A Chihuahua will remain lap-sized. A St. Bernard will be large and furry and will drool. A sporting breed should be willing and able to help you find and retrieve game. If you live in a rural area, a terrier can help control the rodent population.

      Reliable breeders will know what health problems are likely to occur in their breeds and will test their breeding stock in an effort to eliminate, or lessen, the chance of that problem occurring in their litters. They breed not only for good health but also for temperament, and they socialize their puppies, giving them the best start possible before the puppies go to their permanent homes. A reliable breeder will offer a contract, spelling out the agreement between the breeder and the buyer, and the breeder will take that dog back at any stage of the dog’s life, for whatever reason. No reputable breeder wants a dog she’s bred to end up in a shelter.

      Note that not all breeders are reputable. They may not know or care about hereditary health issues when they match up dogs for breeding. They probably won’t worry about which puppy is best for which home. Reputable breeders try to do their best for both the dog and the buyer, but it’s also up to you, as a buyer, to protect your own interests. The more you know about your chosen breed, the better prepared you’ll be to get the very best dog for you.

      A reputable breeder is the best way to get a quality puppy if you think you’d like to show your dog in conformation. Experienced breeders are generally able to tell the difference between a show-quality puppy and one with some minor fault that would prevent him from winning at a conformation show.

      You may have your heart set on rescuing a dog, and that’s great! Even purebreds need to be rescued. If you’ve fallen in love with a particular breed but aren’t interested in showing and don’t care if you have a puppy or adult, check out the rescue organizations that exist to help that breed. Purebreds also end up in shelters.

      Further on, you’ll see pages devoted to each of the AKC groups of purebred dogs. Take a look at them. Even if you decide on a mixed breed, knowing a bit about what might have gone into that mixed breed may save you from choosing the wrong dog.

      A Purebred’s “Papers”

      Generally speaking, purebred dogs in the United States will be registered with either the AKC or the United Kennel Club (UKC). Depending on where you live, you might have access to dogs registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). When I was growing up, a dog that “had papers” was considered superior to other dogs, and you might still consider it a point of pride to have a registered dog, but keep in mind that registration with any recognized organization just means that the dog’s parents were both of the same breed. Registration is no guarantee of quality. The parents could be lovely examples of the breed, or they could be oversized, mismarked, cow-hocked, genetic disasters whose offspring could still be registered (although a reputable breeder would not use poor-quality dogs for breeding).

      An unscrupulous breeder can breed brother and sister together—as long as they are the same breed, the puppies may be registered. Or, that same breeder could breed two dogs with no genetic testing and produce a litter with a congenital illness. So, do your homework on breeders. A responsible breeder will ensure that the quality is there, along with the registration papers.

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      Where to Find a Purebred