Choosing a Breed

In Ireland 16,546 dogs where put down in 2005 and these are only the ones that have been documented. Add to that all the pups that are drowned, greyhounds that are shot when you can not use them for racing anymore etc.

We need to start taking more responsibility when choosing a breed I feel one of the contributory reasons so many dogs get re-homed and put to sleep every year is because people choose the wrong breed for them. If you are interested in a certain breed please do your research before getting a dog and do not pick a breed just because of the way it looks. Appearances should of course be part of the equation, but it should not be top of the list.

You need to take into consideration that if you pick a working dog they are more than likely not going to be happy to be left out in the garden for most of the day and maybe if he is lucky get out for a 30 minutes walk, they need mental exercises and stimulation as well on a daily basis.

And please spay or neuter your pet so we can stop the over breeding problem in Ireland.

 

In Sweden, where I come from, we divide dog breeds in to 10 different groups, this is to make it easier to choose a breed that will be suitable for your circumstances, your way of life and interests.

 

The groups are as follow:

Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs
Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossians and Swiss Mountain
Group 3: Terriers
Group 4: Dachshund
Group 5: Spitz and primitive types
Group 6: Scenthounds and related breed
Group 7: Pointing dogs
Group 8: Retriever and water dogs
Group 9: Companion and Toy Dogs
Group 10: Sighthounds

 

Before you choose a breed it is important to look at how much time you have to give to your dog, how much exercise your dog is going to get and what other activities you are planning to do with your dog for example sledding, agility, tracking, search and rescue etc.
If you are looking for a ‘low maintenance’ dog suitable as a family pet, of course they still need daily walks and obedience training etc, I would recommend that you look at group 9.

 

One final note, I would ask people who are thinking about taking a dog into their home to consider a trip to their local dog pound or shelter as they are brimming with fantastic dogs who are obviously in the most need.