Dog Community | Breeds, Training, Games, Health & Care Information for Dogs | Doglirious.com
Dog Community | Breeds, Training, Games, Health & Care Information for Dogs | Doglirious.com
Every dog breed is different, and you should have a basic understanding of their varying personalities before you decide to bring a pup home. Of course, this means you must first consider your own personality; what kind of individual are you? Choosing a dog is not quite as complicated as choosing a human partner, but it sure is close! In both cases, you must consider chemistry and commitment. But with a dog, there’s the added benefit of a wagging tail every time you walk in the door.
America Ferrera and her Golden, Buddy
Just as important as identifying your own personality is a proper understanding of your lifestyle. How much time do you have for a dog? Do you have kids? How would a pooch fit into your daily schedule? When will you be able to walk, feed, and play with her? We covered these lifestyle issues extensively in another article, so be sure to read it before deciding on the pup of your dreams.
Some believe dogs match their owners in look and personality. Is this true, or do opposites attract? Around here, we don’t subscribe so much to the “opposites attract” theory (not for dogs anyway), but feel that owners and dogs actually have a lot in common, physically and emotionally. For example, a stubborn owner works best with the stubborn pooch, and a caring parent loves to spend time with the gentler breeds.
There are many ways to determine your personality type. For an accurate personality profile, you would actually need to visit a psychologist and subject yourself to an extensive battery of tests. But if you already have a sense of what type of person you are (or you really want a dog and just don’t have the time or patience right now), then this guide is for you! So, join us as we provide a fun way to discover your doggy soul mate.
The following personality types are actually derived from the Myers-Briggs assessment and the Keirsey model of four temperate types. Myers-Briggs is a test often used to gauge your interests and abilities. Read each type carefully, and decide which one describes you best. We had a wonderful time debating which dog breeds match which personalities, but remember, these are just our opinions—not hard fact—and should be viewed as a basic guide for fun.
Idealists are visionaries. Your lofty talk and captivating writing style inspires the rest of us to do our best. You are compassionate and have a keen talent for understanding what others are feeling. You want to make this world a better place, and this mission will drive you until the final breath. At home, you are encouraging parents and will do anything for loved ones. You’re often called imaginative, caring, passionate, values-oriented and creative. Your favorite activities include spending time with the family, volunteering, talking with friends, solving problems, and writing.
Oprah and her Spaniel, Sophie
Typical Careers for Idealists
Community Organizer, Psychologist, Social Worker, Writer, Nurse, Motivational Speaker
Famous Idealists
Martin Luther King Jr., Princess Diana, Oprah Winfrey, President Obama
The Idealist Paw-sonality
You’ll be a loving and caring dog owner. However, you probably won’t discipline your pooch very harshly, so it’s best if you stay clear of the more stubborn breeds. Actually, your focus should be on the caring and easy going pups. You are an ideal candidate for adopting a dog from the local shelter, and your compassionate nature dictates that you need a dog who can tag along to volunteering, grocery shopping, or the hospital therapy group that you assist.
Breeds You Should Consider
Rationals are constantly searching for mental stimulation. You are an excellent problem solver and attack challenges in a very deliberate manner. You thrive on creating inventive solutions to complex problems. Technology is in your blood, and you love working in the theoretical abstract. You’re described by others as intellectual, inventive, and driven. People are drawn to your presence since leadership comes naturally to you. This is probably because you possess the ability to take control of situations. And even though people who don’t know you very well may think you’re arrogant, that’s really just your self confidence shining from within. You enjoy debates with friends, solving puzzles, writing, and learning new languages. Oh, and you certainly don’t make major life decisions (like getting a dog) on a whim without proper planning.
Jake and his German Shepherd, Atticus
Typical Careers for Rationals
Professor, Entrepreneur, IT Analyst, Accountant, Lawyer, Doctor
Famous Rationals
Al Gore, Thomas Edison, Jake Gyllenhaal, Colin Powell, Katie Couric
The Rational Paw-sonality
If you can actually make time for a dog in your life, then you’ll be a great owner. But you’ll have to commit to it because you have a busy life full of side projects and half-written American novels to complete. When you do ultimately decide to get a dog, it will only be after you’ve thoroughly researched the topic, breeder, or adoption facility very carefully. You are a free thinker, and you want your dog to be the same. You’ll both have a blast playing mental games. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll be able to maintain leadership with the stubborn breeds due to your natural self-confidence and “alpha” energy. Now, even though your mind is racing 24/7, your body may not be doing the same. So depending upon your level of activity, select a breed from either the “Sporty” or “Non-Sporty” category below.
Sporty Rationals: In addition to your intellectual pursuits, you enjoy running, biking, and spending time at the park. With this lifestyle, your hard-working dog will get plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Non-Sporty Rationals: You love nothing more than hanging out in the library, coffee shop or at the nearest Whole Foods cafe. So you should look into a lower energy doggy genius. But remember, your pup still needs daily walks and mental stimulation. Be sure to play IQ games with your dog to drain her energy. Your canine Einstein might actually enjoy her mental exercises more than the walks!
Matthew and Ms. Hud
Artisans live for excitement and sensation. You’re very artistic and crave the spot light of a stage and the lens of a camera. Oftentimes, you’re also athletic and love the attention of a cheering sports crowd. You seize every moment and wear emotions on your sleeve like a badge of honor. Even in the presence of strangers, you don’t hesitate to dive into conversation, always meeting and greeting new people. Your free spirit leads you to new experiences.
Your days revolve around social events. You rarely miss an opportunity for a thrill, and your friends don’t remember the last time you said “no”. Loved ones describe you as energetic, free-spirited, exciting, fun-loving, and spontaneous. Your favorite activities include acting, dancing, playing sports, telling jokes.
Typical Careers for Artisans
Athlete, Artist, Actor, Entertainer, Politician, Salesperson, Construction Worker
Famous Artisans
Bill Clinton, Paris Hilton, Ronald Reagan, Katharine Hepburn, Matthew McConaughey, Serena Williams
The Artisan Paw-sonality
You need a dog with a personality just as big as yours. And that pooch had better carry her own weight by directing gobs of attention towards you! Also, be sure to get a pup that is relatively self-sufficient who won’t require excessive training. More than any other personality type, your dog must be ready to travel at the drop of the hat (small is better for that), so avoid the herding breeds who often display a chasing reflex for passing cars while riding shotgun. As with the Rationals (see above), Artisans are split into “Sporty” and “Non-Sporty” categories.
Rhianna and DJ
Sporty Artisans: Your dog is thrilled to accompany you on a hike, mountain bike ride, or to the lake with friends. And when back in the city, your pooch turns just as many heads as you do.
Non-Sporty Artisans: These lap pups have doggy dreams of new hair styles, adorable clothes, collars, and jewelry. When you grab the car keys, these dogs leap into your luxurious handbag in anticipation of the upcoming adventure. In short, just like you, they loved to be spoiled.
Guardians are the people we all want as parents; you’re stable, loyal and dependable. Aside from immaculate organizational habits, you are a realist who spends time focusing intently on the task at hand. When leading, you ensure everyone involved is respected, listened to, and properly cared for. When loved ones are in need, yours is the first call they receive with plenty of reassuring words. Friends describe you as nurturing, kind, patient, selfless, responsible, and loyal.
Victoria Stilwell and her Golden
Typical Careers for Guardians
Fireman, Teacher, Police Officer, Animal Trainer, Manager, Administrator, Accountant
Famous Guardians
Warren Buffet, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Stewart
The Guardian Paw-sonality
Let’s face it…you’d be an excellent owner for any type of dog. Easy-going “family” breeds seem like the obvious choice here, but your nurturing spirit attracts you to troubled pups from the local animal shelter. With their fate in question, you feel compelled to save a distressed life by rescuing one of those adorable faces staring back at you through the cage.
But remember, your positive outlook on life constantly draws others toward you, so be sure to select a dog that loves being around other people.
Breeds You Should Consider
When we brought Riley home from the Humane Society over a year ago, she didn’t know how to sit, lay or stay. Actually, teaching her those commands (along with a whole bag of tricks) proved to be quite easy. But, most worrisome at the time was her inability to walk properly on a leash.
In fact, when we first got her, Riley would often walk me around neighborhood, dragging me into the street and into other people’s yards. I’m a small person so maybe this was an easy task. But one time, she even dragged Justin (who is 6 feet tall) around the park and eventually onto his bottom…
Clearly, no one had ever taught Riley to walk properly.
Riley in Autumn wearing her Gentle Leader
The Gentle Leader
So the first thing we did was to buy a Gentle Leader, which is a training lead that allows for greater control of an unruly pooch. But even with the training lead, I had to remain highly alert as the Gentle Leader didn’t always keep Riley from chasing squirrels, bicyclists and runners. Recognizing the dangers of Riley trying to chase after cars in the street, we immediately sought professional dog training.
One trainer suggested that patience and encouragement would help her to walk properly. And every time she pulled on the leash, we were instructed to stop walking; this lack of forward movement is actually a punishment to the dog. And then when Riley loosened up and relaxed, we’d continue walking. With this method, Riley was to associated calm, relaxed energy with a reward–moving forward. It would also teach her that pulling on the leash would bring on a negative consequence–standing still.
This technique was very frustrating for Riley because she has to stop all the time. But its also frustrating to me (because we have to stop all the time!). With Riley pulling so often, we’d have to stop and wait every few steps…and just wait. Our trainer also taught us how to use treats to keep Riley focused while walking. Riley absolutely adores treats; she is truly food motivated. So, with a treat in hand, whenever I said “heal”, she’d walk perfectly beside me, waiting of course for the yummy reward. But without the treat in my hand, Ms. Riley would be off to the races.
Another trainer suggested the method of being the calm, assertive leader, a la Cesar Milan. The trainer suggested using a slip lead and slightly (but quickly) jerking the lead whenever Riley was out line. This method is much harsher, and I wasn’t always comfortable with it. Nonetheless, that method did quickly teach Riley to not run towards cars. And with our situation at the time, that was perhaps the highest training priority on our minds.
So, how exactly did we teach Riley to walk on the leash? Well, actually we combined both methods and then added a large dose of patience. Slowly but surely, Riley learned how to walk on her leash like a good Catahoula. Eventually we got rid of the gentle leader, stopped using the slip lead, and transitioned into just your standard collar…and for a while, she was doing pretty well.
Until recently.
Because now, it’s return of the crazy dog. She’s pulling me through the neighborhood and lunging every time a UPS truck passes by. Why UPS trucks? I have no clue. Maybe they look like a big brown dog to her.
So, I’m using this blog as a journal to chronicle our attempts to get Riley walking like the once-walkable dog I know she can be again. To begin, I’m purchasing a Martingale Collar from Classic Hound. It’s a beautifully fashioned accessory yet functional in that it should help with Riley’s pulling. And I’ve also decided to retry the patience, encouragement, discipline strategy once again. I’ll continue adding to this post over the next few weeks and will let you know how it goes.
Walks?! I looooove walks. That’s cuz I get to go wherever I want, whenever I want. I used to be very good and mellow on the leash, but now I like to use my walk time to sniff for cats and chase those big brown delivery trucks…I LOVE those trucks! Other than that, I try to protect my mom cuz she needs a guard and I am very good at my job. But I don’t know why she doesn’t like me to bark. Somebody’s got to do it! Maybe she’ll see things my way soon enough and join me in the fun. We could even chase the truck down the street! Wooohooo!
Dogs are proficient chewers. This, of course, has allowed them to hunt, gather, and eat for the thousands of years in existence before human domestication. So chances are, your pup still maintains a strong primal desire to chew and gnaw. Luckily, today’s product manufacturers are catching on, and there are plenty of toys and games which can provide hours of beneficial chewing exercise for dogs. The focus of this article is rawhide bones, which actually help keep your dog’s breath fresh and her teeth plaque free.
Of course, many dogs love nothing more than to chew up your shoes, books, and other household items (which have your unique scent all over them). If this is the case, then rawhide bones can help ease your pup’s urge to chew on the “wrong” things, and refocusing her energy into the “right” things, such as a bone. But please note that if your dog is chewing up your entire home, she’ll probably need more than just a bone to solve her behavior problem. She probably needs more exercise—both mental and physical.
There are pros and cons to giving a dog rawhide bones. Your typical rawhide bone (the one in the grocery store or at Wal-Mart) has a tendency to break easily and may cause choking. Similarly, these cheap bones expand very quickly inside your dog’s stomach and may cause severe constipation. Also, if your dog is a very aggressive chewer, these regular rawhides don’t last long…as you’ve probably already discovered.
Compressed (top) vs. Regular (bottom)
On the other end of the spectrum, compressed rawhide bones will last much longer than the standard variety. Even better, compressed rawhide bones are much less likely to fracture, thus reducing your dog’s chances of choking. Actually, the compressed rawhide bones are about the only thing we’ve found so far that will keep Riley occupied for more than 30 minutes. It usually takes her at least an hour to chew through half of a 10.5 inch bone. And sometimes, to peak her interest in the bone, we’ll even put some peanut butter on it. We find that after she licks off the treat, she’ll continue chewing the bone for a while.
Like any other toy, compressed bones work best when you don’t leave it out for the dog to chew at her leisure. Instead, store it out of sight and then pull it out when you decide to give her a special treat. This makes sure that your dog won’t get bored of the bone. With this method, she’ll think it’s a special treat that only comes out once in a while. And rawhides, like any other treat, should always be monitored.
Get a bone large enough for your dog. And, I want to drill this into your head, any time your dog is chewing on a toy or bone, make sure to supervise them just in case. Oh, and if you have a large dog, we found it best to throw the remaining bone out once it gets small enough for her to accidentally swallow.
Sometimes when my parents are busy I chew on my ‘pressed bone. And I get really into it! Any dog can be a great chewer like me, but they’d have to be really focused and ready to go at it 100%. If you get the ‘pressed bone on the side of your mouth and squish really hard, it’ll make the bestest satisfying sound. It usually gets very gooey and chewy once I really work it, but I kinda like it that way. Overall, I recommend the compressed (but not the regular supermarket) rawhide bone for any pooch who just loooooves to chew hard. But if you don’t want to chew really hard, then you probably won’t like ‘pressed rawhide. Sorry for you!
Doglirious Rating (out of 5)
The Monks of New Skete are famous to dog lovers around the world. Their now classic How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend was the first dog book recommendation I ever received. And the person who suggested it was a writer herself—she claimed the dog manual was one of her all-time favorite books to read. And with chapters like, “Myths, Mutts and Monks” and “Discipline: The Taboo Topic”, the monks cover every important topic.
A Monk and his Shepherd
The New Skete Monks
The New Skete monastery is located outside Cambridge New York, near Vermont. As I read their work, I imagine that it’s a charming community nestled in the snowy hills with dogs walking piously and politely around the grounds. The Monks devote their full time to breeding German Shepherds and training dogs of all types; they truly are dog experts, spending extraordinary amounts of time with their pooches.
An Oldie but Goodie
You will find gentleness on each page of How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend. “Teaching your pup to look to you as a humane leader is important from the very start,” they advise. It’s the only book I’ve ever read that emphasizes both discipline and love equally. And, in fact, you cannot have one without the other because they are two sides of the same coin. Raising a dog the New Skete way is to raise him or her as carefully as you would a child.
The New Skeet Monks
One of the most useful chapters for new dog owners is, “Where is your dog this evening?” Which suggests simple, practical advice on bedroom etiquette. They advocate “sleep therapy”, which discusses how to manage your dog in the bedroom. And how sleeping arrangements can strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
My favorite part of the book recounts a breeder’s relationship with her dogs. Every morning she visited the kennel singing and talking to each dog individually—using his or her name. “Every dog has a song,” the monks tell us. And talking to your dog is key.
Update: The New Skete Monks’ gentle discipline can now be watched thanks to a fantastic DVD set!
Latest Offering
Divine Canine is the latest New Skete book. With its flashy yet elegant package, this is my best gift pick for any dog owner or lover—particularly for children. In fact, any family considering a dog should read this book. (I recently sent it as a gift through Amazon to a good friend). Among its vast resources, Divine Canine will teach kids the importance of training a dog and the serious but rewarding daily commitment it takes to maintain a pet.
Glossy photos throughout show beautiful dogs of all breeds—including the Monks’ favorite German Shepherds. And not only does the book teach basic commands, but they provide real-life stories of the dogs (and humans) the Monks have trained. It vividly illustrates the incredible transformations undergone by all. I promise this book will leave you wanting to be the best “best friend” you can be.
Doglirious Rating (out of 5)
One of the best ways to exhaust an active dog is to play fetch. However, most of us can’t throw as far as our dogs would like to run, so we’d like to share our favorite products we you. The best part of fetch is seeing your pooch return home with her tongue hanging on the floor. In fact, our beloved Riley runs her fastest and maintains absolute focus during our fetch sessions at the park.
Dog Chasing Her Favorite Toy
A variety of brand-name ball launchers are on the market. ChuckIt Launcher, the most popular, is great if you don’t want to get your hands slobbery with gooey tennis balls. But we’ve discovered that nothing works quite as well as your basic racket.
Any will probably work. But we suggest a basic tennis or racquetball racket. If you need extra help with swing speed, the racquetball racket may be your best bet since they’re typically smaller and lighter, not to mention easier to carry around the park.
Any ball that bounces will work, but which ball works best? We’ve tried just about every rubber toy ball on the market. Our best advice is for you to choose several and see which ones your dog like best. For example, Riley won’t touch a tennis ball, but she absolutely adores those squishy blue racquetballs. The problem is, Riley chews the balls so hard, they break, so we found a more durable rubber ball at Petco that she absolutely adores. They only cost a couple of bucks, and Riley cannot destroy them. Bottom line: find a toy that your pup won’t destroy during playtime.
PETCO's Riley-Proof Rubber Balls
Begin by finding a large, open area. Then get your dog’s attention, and hit the ball with the racket very softly and not too far away. We’ve found that it helps when the ball bounces high in the air…it’s extra enticing for Riley. When your dog picks up the ball and carries it in her mouth, you should immediately walk in the opposite direction. Dogs love to play chase, so your pup will begin to follow you, thus returning the ball!
When you do get the ball back, hit it right away; don’t praise or rub your dog. At this point, they just want the ball back…so give it to her already! As your dog continues to bring the ball back to you, slowly increase the distance of your hits. Your dog will soon begin to anticipate when and where the ball is launching off of the racket, and you can even add a command before you hit to have your dog begin running. We yell “Go!” which sets Riley sprinting into the distance searching for the bouncing projectile. After your dog picks up on the game, you’ll be able add complexity by hitting it without letting your dog see exactly where-and then letting her go searching after it. This is a wonderful mental exercise which also sharpens your dog’s natural sense of smell.
Keep this game up for a few weeks, and your dog will begin leaping in the air as soon as she sees the racket emerge from the closet.
“Retrieving the ball is my favorite pastime. Actually, now I know when we’re about to play because I see the shiny blue racquet. It’s beautiful! When we walk to the park, I have these great visions of an orange ball sailing across the field, and sometimes, I pull on the leash so we can play the game already! The funny thing is, I never quite know where they hide those balls, but I can sure smell them. So I wag my tail, and when we finally get to an open part of the park to play, I go off leash–but I don’t run away. This is so exciting! You see, that’s when the ball appears, and the next thing I know, it’s flying in the air…and I’m on the chase! I have to watch carefully and run fast otherwise the ball might get away. But I do a really good job of making sure it never escapes. Sometimes I do lose sight of it, but that’s no problem because I’ve got hound in my blood, so I sniff around (which is one of my other favorite things to do) until I find it. Most of the time, I bring the ball back so I can chase it again. But other times, I like to grab the ball and just jog around with it in my mouth. I really don’t like sharing my balls with others, so you should get your own! I think out of everything, this is my all-time favorite thing. Seriously. Well, except for treats maybe…”
The Kong dog toy is famous in the canine world. In fact, the Kong web site calls their own product “legendary.” So are they just boasting or is this the best toy ever?
For those of you who don’t already know, the Classic Kong is a bold, red, rubber toy. The genius of the product is the hole in its middle, where you can place a variety of treats for your dog to munch or lick on. We swear by the Kong, as it can distract Riley while we work at home. On the downside, some owners say their dog gets to the treats too fast while others believe their pooch gives up too quickly. We’ve found that the key to successful Kong usage is to find the best stuffing and treats for your specific dog.
Various Classic Kong Dog Toy Sizes
Like all the various cars to choose from, there is a make and model of Kong just right for every dog. These include: Classic Kong, Tenacious Kong, Senior Kong, Puppy Kong and Dental Kong. Find the right size and chew level for your pup. Of course, this review is focused mainly on the Classic Kong, but we highly recommend you take a look at the other varieties.
Next, the choice of filling is key. What makes the Kong so attractive to the dog is not the toy itself, but the quality of ingredients inside. In fact, if Riley’s Kong is empty, she’ll just walk by it as if it’s a piece of furniture. She never plays with it when empty—it must be filled with yummy goodness.
Most people recommend peanut butter, plain yogurt, or Kong Stuff’N, which by the way, all work well when frozen. In fact, it generally takes Riley twice as long to get the filling out if it’s frozen. Our dog is a tenacious licker, so we estimate maybe 15-20 minutes for regular peanut butter & Kong Stuff’N, 5-10 minutes for regular yogurt, and 30-45 minutes for any of them frozen. You can also add frozen banana to these.
We also use hard biscuit treats such as Milk Bones. Any biscuit treat will work (Kong even sells their own brand), but it helps if the treat is hard and irregularly shaped. A quick tip: You can make the rounded Kong hole longer by gently stepping on it with your foot. Then, slip the hard biscuit inside and take your foot off the Kong. It takes Riley about 10 minutes to get the whole biscuit out which is exactly 10 minutes longer than it usually takes her to eat one.
Believe it or not, bread also works well because when the dog licks it, it gets soggy and MUCH harder to get out!
If the Classic Kong is too hard for your pooch, try putting an easier treat inside first: something small that will roll right out. With time, your dog will learn new tactics to dislodge even the most difficult treats. On the other hand, if you find the Kong too easy for your pup, then be sure to freeze whatever you put in there. You can make it extra difficult by mixing a hard biscuit and peanut butter (or yogurt) and then freezing the mixture.
The Kong also works as an IQ toy. If you vary the treats that you put inside, it forces your dog to experiment with different strategies to get the food out.
“I love my Classic Kong! Even though I have a lot of tricks for getting the treat out, I’m never quite sure which one to use. I will try anything: lick it, squeeze it really hard, roll it with my paw, drop it on the floor. And if none of those ideas work, then I’ll run up to the second floor and drop it down the stairs.My Classic Kong doesn’t provide hours of entertainment, but it does keep me very busy for a few minutes, usually while everyone else in the house is eating or sitting in front of that screen thingy. I also get to play with my Kong on road trips, and that’s good because sometimes I get a little nervous when I’m watching all the trees move by so fast.
The only thing I hate is when my Classic gets really dirty—and this happens a lot when it’s full of peanut butter, yogurt or Kong stuffing. The mold tastes yucky and can make me sick if my Kong isn’t washed. When this happens, I like to get a brand new one.
My Kong is legendary, even if it is just a rubber toy with a hole in it. I hope every dog is lucky enough to get a Classic Kong just like mine!”
If you have kids and are thinking about adding a puppy to the mix, think carefully about the most suitable dog breed for the household. Dogs and kids can work great together; dogs can help children learn responsibility,respect for all creatures, and even exhaust some of your child’s endless energy.
As you search for the perfect family dog, focus on breeds with gentle personalities. As you know, aggressive dogs and children don’t mix. For example, a Blue Heeler, although incredibly smart, is bred to control livestock by nipping at their heels. So if you have a kids, a Blue Heeler may attempt to herd your kids by nipping at their feet–not good (even though your dog is simply dog what’s programmed into her DNA).
Size and energy level should also be considered. Make sure the dog is large enough so that he won’t be injured by your child and visa versa. On a related note, a more active dog can tire your child out and your child can tire the dog…two birds with one stone!
Lastly, make sure the dog will be easy to train. You want to ensure the dog doesn’t jump on your child. You can even involve the whole family and allow your kids can to help train the dog; this ensures everyone is an active participant in the dog’s life.
Boys feeding a Doodle pup
Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are new dogs specifically bred to be great with the family. Goldendoodles are a mix of golden retriever and poodle, while the Labradoodle is a Labrador mixed with poodle. Doodles are fluffy and cuddly, often resembling teddy bears or sweet little lambs. Additionally, with these hypoallergenic cuties, your kids will certainly get plenty of love. Doodles are smart, easy to train, energetic, and will likely get along with the entire household. They’re also great at playing ball, fetch, and water games.
Kids playing with a Poodle
Poodles make excellent dogs for children. Not only are they the basis for the Goldendoodle or Labradoodle, but they are also among the most intelligent breeds. Also hypoallergenic, poodles are so friendly and eager to please that they easily bond with every member of the family. They are easy to train, quick to please, and love to display their keen intellect with IQ games, trick training and regular exercise. In fact, as long as your poodle gets regular exercise, she will stay calm and content within your home.
A girl and her Collie
Collies are sweet, loyal and easy to train. In fact, one of the most famous dogs, Lassie, was a collie! This breed is also wonderful with children. But remember, this is a herding breed, and as puppies, Collies may display a herding instinct. With proper training, they should outgrow it. If you’re interested in a slightly smaller dog, consider the Collie’s miniature relative, the Shetland Sheep Dog. The Shetland is also loving, smart, and great for agility & obedience training. Both Collies and Shetlands will need to be trained, and vigorous daily exercise is a must.
Girls with their Basset friend
Basset hounds are sweet, gentle peace-loving family dogs. Although not as easily trained as the other breeds, Bassets love to learn new tricks if food is involved. With a world-class nose, the Basset Hound’s rally cry might be, “Food!” or “Smell!” They love to sniff and may even ignore you when trailing a scent. Bassets have low energy and fit well within a low energy family. They are short but big boned…and sometimes big bellied.
A huggable Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are well known for their gentle dispositions. They are huge dogs (130-150 pounds) but are careful around kids. In fact, they are nicknamed “Gentle Giants”. Newfoundlands were originally working dogs, so they may see themselves as guardians over little children. This breed has also served as rescue dogs, so if your child falls into a lake, the Newfie might be the first one to jump in after them! (Please don’t test this though.) Be forewarned, they shed quite a bit, and their coat takes a lot of grooming!
Are you searching for a four-legged friend? Before you select a dog breed, you first need to know where in your life the dog will fit. Do you have time to walk the dog every morning for an hour? Do you need a dog that is good with kids? These are important points to consider before rushing off to buy a puppy only to find out that the dog you selected yaps all the time–and you’ve got cranky neighbors.
Consider Several Factors for Your Pup
To help you sort through all the info, here’s a five-step guide for finding the perfect pup:
1. Think About Your Children
Whatever breed you choose, keep in mind that caring for a dog involves the same amount of commitment as taking care of a young child. Both kids and dogs require constant supervision to keep them from hurting one another. Perhaps the best reward with this combination is that your child will have a best friend to grow up with, and they will learn how to love and care for animals.
Generally, homes with toddlers should not get very small dogs. A child may seriously injure a smaller dog since young kids don’t always understand how fragile dogs can be. Moreover, a toddler might try to pull on, hug tightly, ride, or even accidentally step on a dog. Therefore, the dog has to be able to stand up to the adventures of a toddler. This is not an easy task.
You should also be careful when selecting large or medium size dogs with a toddler in the household for the exact opposite reason. When choosing a large breed, be sure to get one that is gentle, and always seek obedience training for the dog immediately so your child doesn’t become a chair or chew toy. Many dogs, especially working breeds, inherently know not to jump on small kids. Nonetheless, training is still necessary.
2. Consider Exercise and Energy Levels
Most dogs are excitable and love to play. But the dogs’ level of activity should match your personality and lifestyle. Do you love spending time outdoors hiking, swimming, or tossing a ball? Do you run or walk at least three times a week? If so, you should consider getting an active dog who can enjoy these activities with you. But instead of three times per week, you can expect to increase your runs to five! There are many great ways to keep an athletic dog occupied, but to start you need to have an energetic personality to match. Do you love to sit by the fire and read a good book? Or are you a movie buff who spends hours in front of the tv? If that’s the case, then you need to choose a pooch that is going to be the perfect foot warmer and couch buddy.
3. Size Up Your Pooch
Many potential owners make a common mistake in assuming that a dog’s size directly reflects her activity level. This is not always the case! Smaller dogs can be very active, while large dog breeds are often the award-winning couch potatoes. Aside from the activity level, it’s also important to consider your size as well as the size of your home.
For example, if you live in a ninth-floor apartment, you may be better off with a small breed; big dogs have loud footsteps (and big poop). On the other hand, if you own a single family home, you won’t have downstairs neighbors and you can hire someone to pick up the big poop if it makes you gag.
If you are a smaller person, remember that big dogs are heavier, so it won’t be easy to force them to do what they are not interested in doing (getting into that huge crate, for instance). If this describes you, then proper obedience training will be critical.
Finally, remember that big dogs generally shed more, eat more, and cost more in medical expenses (medications are usually prescribed according to size and weight).
On the flipside, if you are bigger person and want a small dog, remember that smaller dogs can be easily hurt if they are stepped on. To make matters worse, they often run around right under your feet, so if you have two left feet, maybe a little dog isn’t for you.
4. Remember That You Cough and Sneeze
If you have allergies, then consider your breed very carefully. Technically, there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog (even if the President thinks there is). There are, however, low-shedding dogs that cause fewer problems for allergy sufferers. And keep in mind, if you are severely allergic to grass, pollen, or dust, your dog will likely play (and roll around in) all of these substances regularly. This means that you’ll need a safe play spot for your pooch that is free of these allergens. We recommend a good doggy day care, a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner, and plenty of baths. Also make sure the dog doesn’t sleep in your bed—instead get her a comfortable dog bed. That is, if you can resist her cute begging eyes.
5. Don’t Forget the Animal Shelter
Before we discuss animal shelters, remember one cardinal rule: Never, ever, ever purchase your dog from a pet store or puppy mill! No reputable dog breeder will sell their animals to a pet store for retail distribution.
Okay, you’ve been warned! Now back to business…
Adopting a shelter dog is a huge step. Most of them are mixed-breeds, so you don’t always know what personality you’re getting. Nonetheless, you can still make an educated guess. The best part is, you’re most likely saving a dog’s life!
When selecting a dog from a shelter, ask about the type of medical treatment the dog has received. Make sure she’s up to date on vaccinations and is heartworm negative. Never adopt a dog that is currently sick because they may need special care; as a first time dog owner, you probably don’t have the necessary knowledge to care for them right now.
Observe the dog’s behavior inside the shelter. Do they jump around or bark incessantly? Are they quiet? These are clues to the dog’s personality. If she’s jumping out of the cage, then chances are she’ll be that way at home. She might even be a master escape artist when it comes to the confinement of your backyard. But it’s also important to remember that many dogs are severely stressed in shelters, so they might be totally different once relaxed in your comfy home.
Everyone asks, “What breed is Riley?” The answer: Riley is a rescue dog. There’s no way for us to know for sure what she is! But judging from her appearance and temperament we’ve concluded that she is a Catahoula Leopard Dog mixed with some sort of hound. And for those of you saying “Cata-What?” here’s some information on my favorite dog breed…Yes, I am very biased!
Riley with her Kong Tennis Stick
In the Southeastern U.S., Native Americans used the Red Wolf to hunt. Among the various tribes that lived in the Mississippi Valley in the 18th-century were Creek, Avoyelle, Tunica, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Caddoes.
When the Spanish first attempted to colonize the Americas and search for gold, they brought with them “war dogs” to help in their looting. Those dogs included Greyhounds and Mastiffs. Through explorations and complex trade networks with Native Americans, these “war dogs” reached the lower Mississippi Valley. The dogs were then bred with the Red Wolf, and the new hybrid was called Wolf Dog. When the French came to colonize lower Louisiana, they brought with them the Beauceron. Wolf Dogs and Beaucerons mixed to form our modern day Catahoula. Throughout the 1700s, Choctaw, Avoyelle and Tunica Indians were experienced herders and traders of livestock, using the Catahoula as a working dog.
Catahoulas are fairly large dogs. Females are 50-65 lbs and males are between 65-90 lbs. They come in many colors and shades and are most famous for the merle coloring which can be blue (like Riley), black, gray, liver or red merle. As with their coats, the Catahoula’s eyes vary in color. They can be brown, blue, or even two different colors. Or, like Riley, they might have “cracked” eyes which mean one eye exhibits two different colors at the same time.
Catahoulas are not aggressive but they are very assertive. You must be serious to own one of these, and understand how to lead your pack. Otherwise, a Catahoula will do it for you! Catahoulas are working dogs, so they have a lot of energy. The key then for a Catahoula owner is to keep your dog active both physically and mentally. Long walks and runs are important. We vary our long walks with intense “ball playing” sessions—using a racquetball racket and bouncy ball — and with days at doggy day care where Riley is happy to herd and play chase with the other dogs. For mental exercise we rely on IQ games and teaching Riley tricks.
Because of their strength, enthusiasm, protectiveness and high intelligence, it is crucial to train the Catahoula. Riley learns very easily and quickly because she is smart and food motivated. We think this is the hound trait in Riley.
Catahoulas are very good with children and make expert babysitters. Riley loves children because she thinks their sticky hands taste great!
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog Puppies
Catahoulas can be used in a wide variety of situations and are one of the most versatile working dogs. They are hunters, herders, search & rescue dogs, and narcotics-sniffing dogs among other things.
The genetic flaws in Catahoulas are deafness and blindness. These problems are often intensified with irresponsible breeding. Therefore, it is especially important with Catahoulas that you find the best breeder possible. Before you begin looking, read our article on how to choose a breeder.
People often ask us if we are breeding Riley. That answer is no; she’s spayed.
But if you are interested in Catahoula Leopard Dogs I urge you to visit Abney Catahoula…tell them Doglirious sent you. Or contact COBRA for a list of breeders near you.
At the end of the day, realize that a Catahoula is not for everyone. I promise that they will drive you crazy, but once you get to know one, you might very well go Doglirious.
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