What is the right breed for me?

20 years ago it was fairly easy to read up on a breed and get the dog that suited you the most. Unfortunately, in our consumer-driven world things have changed tremendously and it is becoming harder and harder. Instead of a breed being in careful, dedicated hands, popular dogs end up with "breeders" that do no testing, and don't really care to preserve, maintain or improve the integrity of the breed. They just breed for money, flooding the breed in question with poor specimens and genetic disasters. This creates behavioral and health issues that used to be unknown to the specific breed.  

Two of the most popular family dogs have been and are Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. They are gentle, intelligent and family-friendly. Because of their aptitude to please their masters, they excel as guide dogs for the blind, as part of search-and-rescue teams or in law enforcement. From joint and bone problems, to eye diseases, to heart disease, to cancer, they can now be risky in the health department. Behavioral trait changes – a number of Labs and Goldens are developing aggression issues. 

German Shepherd Dogs have been in the Top 5 of the most popular breeds for decades. The AKC describes them as a breed that is approachable, direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body. Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. Sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it? Health problems that are accentuated by over breeding range from hip and elbow dysplasia, to Panosteitis, to pyotraumatic dermatitis and skin allergies. Behavioral issues – timid and shy GSDs are showing up more and more, a trait that can make them unpredictable.  

Designer/Hybrid breeds (Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Cock-a-poo, Pek-a-poo, Schnoodle, Puggle, …) have neurotic tendencies, as they were bred for looks, color and coat and often not for mental stability. One of the first designer breeds was the Labradoodle. The particular purpose in mind for this hybrid was the Labrador Retrievers' superior performance as a service dog, and the Poodles' non-shedding, non-allergenic coat. This combination produces a great guide dog for people with allergies. It works quite well in theory, but due to the nature of genetics, it's not always a 'sure thing'!  

When you decide to go ahead and buy a purebred puppy. Do your homework! It is hard to find a responsible breeder that practices selective breeding, but it is worth your time and money. Keep in mind, that you can potentially save a lot of money in the long run, as the chances of arising health issues are smaller. Additionally, although a dog's behavior is heavily depending on his upbringing and environmental influences, genetics still play a role in it. You could potentially save money there, as chances are you don't need my help as much! J
J

   

3 Steps to Success

Have you ever wondered if you are on the right track with your training? Is it too late? Is it working?  

Teaching a dog a new behavior can be quite an exercise in patience and at times it can be hard to stick with the work. Let's say for the last couple of years your dog has been pulling on the leash. Walking Fido has become a chore instead of being fun. Your shoulder is hurting. Your dream of sitting at a coffee shop reading the newspaper, sipping on a cappuccino and having a croissant while Fido is lying at your feet has evaporated. Frustrating? Yes! Is it too late to make your dream come true? No!

Fido won't be too thrilled at first. He doesn't understand what's going on and that is frustrating. But once he understands what you ask from him, he will be one proud dog. Getting from frustration to proud dog, Fido will go through 3 different steps. 

1. Fight
   
2. Avoidance
   
3. Acceptance
   

It can take anywhere from an hour to several days or weeks going through these sequences, but don't give up. For a lot of dog owners witnessing the first stage, fight, is quite unnerving. Keep calm and don't get frustrated, you know what the reward will be at the end! The second stage, avoidance, is trickier – often people are tempted to think that they are done. Keep going! The final stage, acceptance, is when your dog gives you the behaviors for which you were working so hard. You have arrived!