When you begin reading about the different breeds, note the history of
each one. This informs you of the specific reasons for which they were bred
and the purpose they served for their humans and gives you an idea of the
built-in behavior and attitude of those breeds.
Dogs are descended from the wolf, whom we know to be a hunter, a
herder (directing his prey in a particular direction), a guard (protecting his
food supply and his den of pups), a team player (working together to run
down prey), an athlete (loping across many miles), and an aware animal
(having intensely acute senses of sight, scenting, and hearing). Each of
these qualities is called a drive or instinct.
All of the qualities we admire in the dog come from the prey drive of the
wolf. This prey drive in the wolf is a combination of instincts that all fit
together to guarantee survival of the pack: the pack instinct, the prey
instinct, the herding instinct, the guarding instinct and the communication
instinct. This collection of instincts in the dog translates into behaviors that
can make him a welcome member of his human family. With the right
training, he lives comfortably in his people group, his people pack. He
knows not to bite. He communicates through body language, and he
understands and practices nonverbal communication.
The wolf is a hunter. The prey instinct governs his life. He lives for his
major reward, to chase the prey and kill it. The prey instinct is ever present,
always turned on, ready to activate.
The dog also is a hunter. The prey instinct is in every breed, but to a
milder degree than in the wolf. Many dogs that live sheltered lives seldom
have an opportunity to display any prey instinct. But even for these dogs,
certain sounds and movements can activate the instinct and cause the dog to
react like a wolf. When we understand that this is part of the dog’s behavior
and personality, we can help the family pack be a pleasant union of
individuals who are different and yet respect and enjoy each other.
Understanding how the instincts occur in different breeds will help you
select the puppy that fits most comfortably in your family pack. The
different breeds were selected to emphasize one or more of these drives,
which then became part of the dog’s personality. For example, the Collie,
the Shetland Sheepdog, and the Corgi were bred for herding sheep and
cattle, and you might find yours herding a group of children in your yard by
circling around them. The northern breeds, such as Siberian Huskies,
Samoyeds, and Malamutes, were selected in their gene pool for pulling and
going forward continuously. Your Husky will need to be on a leash or he
might decide to take off on a run. The purpose of the sporting breeds is to
find game, with the retrievers specializing in returning the game to their
person. You will find them picking up and carrying things around the house.
The scent hounds have an intense scenting ability, and when they catch an
interesting scent, they follow it regardless of what you say. But all these
dogs still bond to their people. This is the basic difference between dogs
and wolves.
The terriers, bred to hunt and catch small animals, are quick-moving with
high energy and are always ready for a chase. Working dogs such as
German Shepherds and Rottweilers know that they have a job to do for their
humans. They were expected to protect flocks from wolves, coyotes, and
mountain lions, as well as to protect their humans. Toy breeds were bred to
be companion dogs and prefer spending time close to their humans.
When you select your own puppy, think about the characteristics that
were bred into that particular breed, which of the drives are strongest, and
what that tells you about the future behavior of your dog. Try to be
objective when you decide whether those characteristics will fit with your
own personality. Think about the dog’s need for exercise, his activity level
in the house, his attitude toward visitors, and his trainability.
Once you have decided on your breed, you will find a range of
personalities within that breed—some more quiet, others more dominant.
You will look for the pup that fits the image you have for your canine
companion.
A good source of information about the breed in which you’re interested
is your local kennel club, which can give you the names of breeders. Many
of these clubs periodically run an ad in the pet section of the local
newspaper. When buying a puppy, you’re not just buying a pedigree—
you’re buying the expertise, the understanding of the puppy’s needs, and
the advice that the breeder can give you based on experience with that
particular breed.
You can also gain good information by attending a dog show and buying
a catalog of the dogs entered. This lists the names and addresses of the
people who are showing, and you can follow up by contacting a breeder in
your area. Dog World Magazine and Dog Fancy, found at many magazine
stands, and the AKC Gazette, found in many libraries, list breeders in all
parts of the country.
When you contact a breeder, you will probably be asked questions about
your life-style and about the plans that you have for your dog. Do you have
enough time to give your dog? Good breeders want to be sure that the
puppy goes to a good home.
We cannot recommend buying puppies that are born in puppy mills (and
usually sold in pet stores). You cannot learn anything about the parents of
the puppy and will know nothing about the treatment that the puppy
received during the sensitive stages of birth to eight weeks nor about hidden
health problems.
When you have selected the breed that has a size and disposition best
for you, it is time to consider the individual personality that you want
your pup to have. A good indication of this is the personality of the parent
dogs. Behavior is a hereditary factor, just as are the appearance, the length
of coat, or the type of head. Behavior is of great importance to most buyers.
Therefore, if either parent is very shy or very aggressive, you will want to
look at other litters before making a choice. Conversely, if the parent dogs
like people and are pleasant to be around, you will know that there is a good
chance that the pups will have the same qualities. The puppy will not be a
carbon copy of either parent but will likely have some of the behavioral
characteristics of each.
The third aspect of the development of a puppy’s personality (after breed
and heredity) is the socializing that he receives from the breeder and the
behavior molding that he receives from his new master. Every breeder
knows that careful breeding is only part of the story, although a very
important part. Breeders have seen promising puppies ruined by bad
training or simply a lack of training, or by mismatching a puppy with a
certain type of person. If a breeder tells you that he doesn’t think a dog is
right for you, he does so from experience based on placing puppies.
