The Right Dog for You

Dogs are the most owned pets in American households. According to the U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook 2012, 36.5% of American households own a dog. Man’s best friend as we affectionately call them, is our most treasured addition to the family. Next to our kids, we cherish them more than any luxury as they give joy and happiness to every family member.

If you want to own or adopt a new dog companion and you live in a limited space like an apartment, what type of dog should you choose? It’s great to have some information on the origin of the pet and its behavior before heading to an animal shelter to choose the right dog for you.

Here are some of the most owned dog type information and its suitability for a living environment:

• Golden Retriever – Originated in the Scottish Highlands, this intelligent dog was bred into existence by Lord Tweedmouth by crossing the original yellow flat-coated retriever with the now extinct tweed water spaniel. He later crossed in the bloodhound, Irish setter and more tweed water spaniel, producing the well-known golden retriever of today. These are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children.

*  If sufficiently exercised, this breed will do okay in an apartment. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a medium to large yard.

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  Labrador Retriever

  Labrador Retriever – Once known as the “St John’s Dogs,” the Labrador retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. The lab, is native to Newfoundland, Canada, where it worked side by side with fishermen catching fish that came loose from the lines and trained to jump into the icy waters to help pull in the nets. The Labrador retriever is loyal, loving, affectionate and patient, making a great family dog. Highly intelligent, good-natured, very willing and eager to please, it is among the top choices for a service dog work.

*  Labrador Retrievers will be okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard.

• Beagle – The first beagles date back to the 1500s. English hunters would take packs of these dogs out on the hunt tracking rabbits, hare, pheasant, quail and other small animals. The exact origins of the word “beagle” are a bit mysterious, but anybody who has spent much time with the breed will believe the most commonly accepted story. The name “beagle” may have come from the French term “be’geule” which means “gape throat,” referring to the dogs baying voice. The beagle is loving, sweet and gentle, happy to see everyone, greeting them with a wagging tail. It is sociable, brave and intelligent. The beagle is excellent with children and generally good with other dogs
  

*  Beagles will do okay in an apartment if they get plenty of chances to be outdoors. They are very active indoors and a small yard will be sufficient.

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  Dachshunds

  Dachshunds – The dachshund originated in Germany in the early 1600s. Bred to hunt small game such as badger and rabbit, the Dachshund has shortened legs to hunt and follow these animals to ground inside the burrows where they could fight the prey to the death. Their name reflects this early purpose; “dachshund” means “badger dog” in German. Dachshunds are lovable, playful companions, and an ideal pet for many homes, including those with children with appropriate supervision.

* Good for apartment living. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

• German Shepherd – The German shepherd dog originated in 1899 at Karlsruhe, Germany due to the efforts of Captain Max von Stephanitz and other dedicated breeders. Derived from the old breeds of local herding and farm dogs, the first German shepherd dog shown in America was in 1907. The fame associated with Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart, two members of the breed whose movies played on variations of the boy and his dog theme making them a very popular breed. German shepherd dogs are energetic and fun, they love strenuous activity, preferably combined with training of some kind, for these dogs are very intelligent and crave a good challenge.

* The German Shepherd will do better in an environment in which there is a yard.

If you have decided that a dog is the right pet for you, you have made the right choice as welcoming a new dog into our home can be an exciting time for everyone. It is good to have a new addition to the family whom you can give love and care and at the same time and will give so much joy to everyone’s lives. A close relationship with a dog can provide you with years of companionship, protection and unconditional love. Indeed, they are man’s best friend. 

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