Classification of Breeds of Dogs

Dogs are an incredibly diverse species. Not only do they have an amazing array of of physical characteristics, but even their personality traits and behavioral characteristics differ from one breed to another.

Much of this is down to human meddling. For centuries we have bred dogs to meet our needs, so that over time we’ve developed over 600 distinct dog breeds.

However, recent studies suggest that many of the physical changes in dogs may have occurred spontaneously. So as amazing as it is, it seems dogs have actually evolved along the lines they believe we expect of them. Now that’s what I call devotion!

Now, while all of this may be fascinating, this information also has a more practical purpose.

Let’s assume you want to get a purebred dog as a pet. No doubt you’ll want a dog that suits your lifestyle. It would be foolhardy, for example, to get a Border Collie if you live in a small apartment and are a first class couch potato. You’re likely to end up with a dog that has serious behavioral problems.

Likewise, if you’re an outdoor type who wants a dog as a jogging and hiking companion, a Pug or Pekingese is hardly going to fit the bill.

And it doesn’t stop at activity level either, name any trait you find particularly desirable in a canine companion, and you’ll find a dog breed that meets your requirements. Some breeds are more affectionate, others more independent, some are protective, others timid, some are known to be yappers, others hardly bark at all.

Then there are physical characteristics. You may prefer a larger or a smaller dog. Well, it’s hard to imagine a greater discrepancy than between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua. It’s almost difficult to believe that they belong to the same species!

Something else you’ll want to think about is how much hair the dog sheds. Some dogs shed hair like an Alaskan blizzard while others shed hardly any hair at all. At the extreme, you’ll find the Mexican Hairless Dog, or Xoloitzcuintle, a perfect choice for the extremely house proud!

Trainability is another factor that should be considered. If you’re determined to obedience train your dog, then you’ll want a breed that is pliant and obedient, not the canine equivalent of an obdurate mule.

So if trainability is an important factor you’ll want a dog that is a quick learner with an eagerness to please. Dogs that fall into this group include the Poodle, Papillon and Golden Retriever.

The breeds you’ll want to avoid are most of the Hound Group, including Bassets, Beagles, and Bloodhounds. Some breeds, like the Dachshund, are known for being particularly obstinate, while certain toy dogs will ignore you as a matter of principal.

And then there are the so-called designer dogs, as well as mixed breed dogs, which we haven’t even spoken about here.

The point is, there’s a dog that’s ideal for every person, every lifestyle. What’s your dog type?

If you want to find out more about types of dogs, dog care, dog health and other helpful dog info check out www.dogsanddogtraining.com