Read time: 2 mins
09 Apr 2021
By Team Butternut Box
Everyone probably has their own favourite breed in mind when they imagine their ideal pup, (who wouldn’t love a dog like Lassie or the Andrex puppy?) But have you actually thought about how that breed would suit you and your family in practice? It’s worth having a reality check and reading up on your favoured pup’s typical temperament and needs, before taking the plunge. Of course, every puppy will be different depending on their genes and upbringing, but knowing your chosen breeds specific characteristics, based on its original purpose, can help you make the right choice of pup.
Size of dog
First let’s talk size. Small dogs are usually easier to manage, have longer life expectancies and tend to be more economical to care for in terms of health and feeding. Terriers are a great small breed choice can be great family dogs, (albeit with a tendency to stubbornness and selective hearing once they’re on the trail of something)! Whilst toy breeds can be very easy to carry around, useful if you’re taking them on the bus or tube to work, for example.
Moving up to bigger dogs, we’ve got the ‘working dog’ group. This is made up of pups such as Boxers and German Shepherds, that have been selectively bred to perform all kinds of jobs, from pulling sleds and herding sheep to police tracking and mountain rescue. It’s no surprise then that these pups will need plenty of stimulation and exercise to avoid frustration and boredom.
The retriever or gun dog group, (Labradors, Pointers, Springer Spaniels), will love to carry your slippers around the house, pick up the newspaper and ‘retrieve’ your socks for you.
Appearances can be deceptive in the long-limbed sight hound group, (such as the graceful greyhound), as these pups generally prefer the sofa (their own) to the hiking trail. They usually just need a regular sprint across the park to keep them sane.
Coat care
Next, coat care and maintenance needs consideration. Do you want your pup to be hairy, smooth, wiry, curly or long haired? Do they need to be low maintenance, (a quick shake off of the excess mud and debris), or need to go to the pooch parlour regularly for the full monty? Many popular breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel and the Border Terrier have coats that need trimming or stripping regularly to keep them healthy. Are you allergic to dog hair? In which case choosing a breed such as poodles, which are non-shedding, would be a sensible.
But when all’s said and done, don’t forget that all these breed specific stereotypes are just that, stereotypes, and it’s by far and away your pup’s upbringing and their learning experiences in puppyhood that plays the most significant role in shaping their individual character and temperament. (See our blog on breeders). After all, whether you’re choosing a lap-loving Chihuahua or a graceful Great Dane, they’re all first and foremost a pup.
