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Choosing the right breed of dog

This article will give the reader an overview of 10 dog breeds with emphasis on their historical roots and their personalities to help when choosing the right breed of dog.

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There are so many dog types available at pet stores that it might seem like a difficult task to decide. In this article we will look at the Chihuahua, collie, bulldog, German shepherd, Rottweiler, Dalmatian, poodle, golden retriever, and the Appenzell cattle dog. We will look what types of personalities these popular dog breeds possess to make your decision easier. Of course each individual dog will have his/her own personality, so this guide will look some of generalizations of each breed type.

The Chihuahua has his roots in Mexico, has an amazing sense of hearing, and can detect prey from up to five miles away. This tiny dog is known for its spunk and its fur can be anything from white long hair to black short hair. The Chihuahua is also known as the “toy breed” because they weigh less then five pounds. Some of the characteristics of this breed are: gracefulness and energetic, alert and observant, and loves to interact with his master. They are also very loyal and very docile. This personality type shadows the care the Chihuahua needs. They want a lot of attention; they love to be petted and touched. They also will perform tricks just to get attention. This dog also tends to be jealous of attention given to small children.

If you want to shower your love and affection on a breed this is the dog for you. But if you are more independent and want a more independent dog, keep looking.

The collie’s exact origins are shrouded in obscurity. This is because there are known instances of the collie being in England in the 1400’s and also in Scotland where they were used mainly for sheep herding purposes. But general consensus seems to think that the collie came from one of those two areas. The Collie has a thick coat, alert eyes and keen ears. They are usually either tri-colored or blue merle. Collies are very active. They are a great watchdog and are affectionate towards children; they learn tricks easily and quickly and are totally loyal. However, the collie always wants something to do. If you live in a small apartment this dog is not for you. If the collie doesn’t get enough action he might start staring into space blindly, or bolt out an open door.

The Bulldogs have their origins in Asia and were brought to Europe by nomads. Originally the bulldog was bred to fight so he can be fierce and aggressive, but also loyal to his master. Some breeders have tried to breed out the bulldog’s tendency to fight; this leaves the bulldog with courage and perseverance. This is a great dog for a bachelor, or for someone who needs a watchdog. The bulldog tends to look down on affection and doesn’t like to be petted as much as other breeds. In order to gain his loyalty he needs to feel respect for you, which can be hard to come by. But once you have that, it will stay with you forever.

The German shepherd was, just as his name suggests originally used as a shepherd; this is a recent breed, just discovered in the 1900’s. This dog was first used in police and military work. This dog is alert, extremely loyal to the master and his family, but hostile against anyone else. He is also very agile and a great hunter with intelligence. He was also one of the first dogs used as a guide dog for the blind. He will want to be trained since he loves to do intelligent things. He is also known for the incorruptibility, hardness, self-confidence, and a not-so-desirable drive for fighting. Overall, this is a great working dog, especially for a guard, companion, and protection and is overall a great pet. He will have to be trained so that he will not be violent towards strangers.

The Rottweiler’s history is as far back as Roman Empire times. He was prevalent in the Swiss Canton of Argovie and was traditionally the Roman camp dog. The Rottweiler used to be a valuable cattle worker. Later he gained popularity in police work due to his amazing intelligence, agility, strength, and trainability. He is not easily corrupted and will be loyal to his master. Often Rottweilers are stubborn and playful, but they can also be fierce. He is also great with children, but he must be trained first. Rottweilers need to be trained, especially by an obedience school with his master. You will not regret it, because this breed is one of the best, most loyal, loving and intelligent dogs around.

The Dalmatian became a popular breed because of the movies 101 and 102 Dalmatians. His roots begin in Yugoslavia where he accompanied chariots because of his stamina, size, and guard dog abilities. The Dalmatian is known for his black spots on white fur. They are very energetic and fun-loving dogs. They love people and want to spend much time with families. They are not comfortable being kept outside because of their sensitive skin. They love regular exercise, like walks and runs especially since they don’t tire easily. Dalmatians are usually not aggressive with strangers; they will only bark if necessary.

The poodle has roots in many different places, for instance, France, Germany, and Russia. His exact roots are not known. The poodle can be carefully groomed, which gives him an air of distinction, dignity, and self-confidence. Poodles can be either black or white or any solid colour in-between. They are loyal, active, intelligent, willing to please, obedient, and agile. However, they are known for being a couch potato. This dog will fit in with just about any family and will get used to your habits. He is loyal and loves to live in a clean and loving environment. It doesn’t demand to be touched or petted all the time, so this dog is also good for a more independent owner.

The golden retriever comes from Great Britain and was known as a hunting companion of the aristocracy. They are known to be agile, very intelligent (some say this is the most intelligent dog in existence) and has been one of the first dogs used for guiding the blind. They are active, kind, loyal, and hard working. They are very good with children since they are friendly, reliable, and trustworthy. They do not like to quarrel with other dogs and don’t show hostility towards strangers. This makes them perfect pets for most situations and families. They do like some attention and its long golden hair needs much care too. This is the type of dog that will follow you wherever you go; it will never abandon you.

The Appenzell cattle dog originally comes from Switzerland as his name suggests (Appenzell is a Canton in Switzerland). They were used for herding sheep and rescuing people trapped in avalanches. They are very agile, smart, and warm dogs. They are extremely loyal and kind, and friendly with people and dogs alike. They are now used as guard dogs, as family dogs, as farm dogs, as guide dogs, and as companions for those who drive often. The Appenzell cattle dogs are very high-spirited, lively, reliable, and fearless. They will always find their way home and are great with children. They will be suspicious of strangers but will not attach them unless harmed. They is also very eager to learn, trained easily. This is an all around good family dog who loves attention and the outdoors.

Hopefully this guide will help you find a dog that fits your personality. Remember all dogs want to give and receive love; they will be loyal to you and will give you many precious memories. Good luck with choosing the right dog for you!




Written by John Van - © 2002 Pagewise


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