As we continue our series on finding the right dog for you, we next want to look at a dog type that we see a lot in our training practice: working dogs. 

Below, you'll see a video from our head trainer, Brandon, talking about working dogs, Belgian Malinois in particular, and what you  need to consider before bringing a working dog into your family.

Like Brandon said in the video, before getting a working dog, consider the following: 

1. Require a ton of attention: 24 hour/7 day a week  
2. They require work and structure
3. They will probably nip or bite (depending on the breed)
4. For training:  you will need to find a working dog trainer. These dogs have special training requirements that necessitate a trainer who is experienced in working dog's specific needs and drives.
5. If you don't have a job for these dogs to do - they will create their own job, and most of the time, you will not like what they choose! (i.e. destructive tendencies within your house)

Still interested in a working dog? Reach out to us and we will help guide you through the process.

In our last post, we introduced some of the challenges that come with dog adoption during the holidays. In an effort to mitigate some of these common problems that families face, we are kicking off our new blog series aimed at helping you choose the right dog for your family and lifestyle. 

With 340 recognized dog breeds, there is no way that the average person could read through traits and characteristics for every single dog breed out there (and still have time for their day job!). So how can you make sure that you are choosing the absolute best fit for your family and your lifestyle without an exhaustive crash course on dog breeds? 

Well, that's why we are here! To narrow your search a bit, we are going to break these 340 recognized dog breeds into seven overall categories. After taking a look at each of these  categories, our hope is that you can narrow in on one or two categories that fit your family and lifestyle best. Once you have made your decision on the type of dog that will fit your family and lifestyle, our goal is to give you a much easier path to choosing the right breed for you!

Terriers

Terriers, which were bred to hunt and kill vermin, are described as fiesty and energetic. Depending on the breed of terrier, there's a fairly wide range of sizes, from small (13 pounds) to medium-to-large in size (70 pounds). According to the AKC Group, prospective owners should know that terriers make great pets, but they do require determination on the part of the owner because they can be stubborn; have high energy levels, and require special grooming (known as “stripping”) to maintain a characteristic appearance.

​Terrier Breeds You May Know:

• Bull Terrier
• Scottish Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier

​Full Terrier Breed List
​

Sporting
​
Sporting breeds are known as being alert, active dogs who are generally likable, agreeable companions. Sporting dogs were originally bred to work closely with humans to assist in hunting and gathering food. This category is generally medium-sized and includes four different sub-categories: spaniels, pointers, retrievers and terriers. Common among all of these subsets is the need regular exercise, engaging exercise. 

Sporting Breeds You May Know:

• Labrador Retriever
• German Shorthaired Pointer
• Cocker Spaniel

​​Full Sporting Breed List

Hounds 

The common attribute that links the hound breed is their ability to hunt. Beyond that, though, attributes vary pretty significantly across each breed within the hound group. Some are known for their sense of smell, others by their stamina, others are known for their distinctive howl. If hounds are of interest to you, check out this AKC page that allows you to toggle between attributes that you'd like in your dog. 

Breeds You May Know:

• Bloodhound
• Dachshund
• Greyhound 

​​Full Hound Breed List

Non-Sporting

Next, we have our non-sporting group of dogs... and they vary even more than our hound group. AKC says it best when they say non-sporting dogs have two things in common: wet noses and four legs. Beyond that, it is tough to group this category of dogs on defined attributes. Non-Sporting dogs are a diverse group of breeds with varying sizes, coats, personalities and overall appearance. Like the hound above, visit the AKC website for a full list of breeds and attributes.

Non-Sporting Breeds You May Know:

• Bulldog
• Dalmatian
• Poodle

​Full Non-Sporting Breed List
​

Working

Working dogs are best known for their need to have a 'job' to do. They are quick to learn, intelligent, strong, watchful, and alert, and they are happiest when they have a job that they can do. Jobs can range from pulling a sled to simply carrying a backpack during a walk. These dogs make wonderful, protective companions and are usually larger in size. For those interested in this type of dog, beware that they will typically need a higher than average need for exercise, higher than average required time for training and socialization and, depending on the breed, are not typically best suited for first-time dog owners. 
​
Working Breeds You May Know:

• Boxer
• Great Dane
• Rottweiler

​Full Working Breed List

Ho, ho, ho, the Holiday Season is here! And, you know what that means, it's time to think about getting gifts for your family and friends.

For some of you, one of your gifts under the tree just might be a new puppy. But before you visit your local shelter and fall in love with a dog, it is important to take a quick step back and ensure that you are able to find a dog that will be a fit for your family and your lifestyle.

Shelters around the country see huge surges of surrendered dogs during the holidays. According to the ​ASPCA’s National Rehoming Survey, pet problems are the most common reason that owners rehome their pet, accounting for 47% of rehomed dogs. Pet problems were defined as problematic behaviors, aggressive behaviors, grew larger than expected, or health problems owner couldn’t handle. 

A large majority of these issues stem from a few common themes, which are not due to any sort of negligence or lack of foresight from new owners. 

A few of these common challenges include:

• Not knowing what type of dog you are actually getting (due to lack of education from the shelter or a general lack of knowledge on the dog's background)
• Lack of knowledge on your dog's breed and common traits or behaviors to expect 
• An inability to properly incorporate the dog into a family's lifestyle due to increased behavioral or exercise/attention needs
• Unforeseen expenses in trying to rehab behavior challenges

Although there are certainly instances where a dog just isn't the right fit for a family, and unfortunately, tough choices need to be made, there are times where it can certainly be mitigated. By taking the correct steps to educate yourself on commons breeds and traits, you are much more likely to successfully incorporate a dog into your home. Pet adoption is a beautiful, wonderful thing, but it can lead to a lot of stress and sadness when things don't go as planned and is hard on both your family and your dog. 

So, if you're still hanging in here after all this sad talk and still interested in getting a new dog this holiday season,  we're here to help. Being in this business for 20 years, we have seen it all and want to make sure we are providing all dogs with their best chance of success.

​Knowing that, we are kicking off our December series! Keep an eye out as we launch our blog series aimed at helping you to successfully choose a breed that will be a good fit for your family and your lifestyle. And, if along the way you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!