Thinking About Getting a Dog? Let’s Set You Up for Success
Owning a dog can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to start with realistic expectations. My goal is not to discourage you from getting your dream dog, but to help you understand the challenges that may come with certain breeds. With over 400 breeds to choose from, sometimes the one that’s right for you isn’t the one you initially had in mind. This guide is here to give you the clarity and confidence to make the best decision—without sacrificing the look or type of dog you love.
Some people manage beautifully with their dream breeds, even with challenging dogs. For example, I once worked with a family that owned an American Akita. They adored their dog and had the resources to invest in four trainers during its adolescent phase. Even with all that effort, the dog remained a bit reactive and occasionally scared them on walks. I had to introduce specialized training to help them further, as not all trainers have the experience to handle large, powerful, protective breeds.
This isn’t to say you can’t succeed with a demanding breed—many people do, especially if they can afford advanced training or have the time and patience to commit. My goal is to ensure you understand the potential challenges, so you’re prepared for the journey ahead. Whether it’s an energetic Husky, a reserved Shar Pei, or a protective Rottweiler, the key is finding a breed that matches your lifestyle and being aware of the work it may require.
Let’s explore the important considerations to set you and your future dog up for success.
1. Can I Meet the Exercise Needs of This Breed?
Daily Commitment
Dogs needing 1-2 hours of daily exercise require consistency—rain or shine, weekends and holidays. This includes walking, running, or playtime several times a day. Without a garden, exercising your dog becomes even more challenging, requiring year-round commitment to outdoor activities.
Why It Matters
Without sufficient exercise, dogs can develop behavioral issues like barking, chewing, or digging. These behaviors indicate unmet physical and mental needs and often lead to frustration for owners.
Challenges with High-Exercise Breeds
Breeds like Malinois, Border Collies, and Huskies often need more than 2 hours of exercise daily. For most families, these breeds are unsuitable as they require constant engagement to prevent stress or destructive behaviors.
Solutions for Busy Days
If your schedule gets hectic, consider hiring a dog walker, planning more intense activities, or asking for help from family or friends.
2. Am I Able to Teach My Dog to Be Calm?
The Importance of Calmness Training
Dogs with higher energy levels often need more than physical activity; they require training to learn how to relax at home and outdoors. Teaching calmness prevents behaviors like pacing, barking, or destructive habits.
Willingness to Learn
Are you ready to learn training techniques or seek professional help? Calmness training is critical to maintaining harmony at home and avoiding conflicts with neighbors or property damage.
Tools for Mental Stimulation
Products like KONGs, puzzle toys, and slow feeders provide mental challenges, keeping your dog engaged and preventing boredom. These tools are especially helpful on days when outdoor activity is limited.
3. Can I Properly Socialize a Protective or Guardian Breed?
What Socialization Entails
Guardian breeds like Rottweilers, Dobermans, or Cane Corsos require consistent socialization to treat everyday sights like cars, children, and cyclists as non-threatening. Socialization helps these dogs recognize what is safe, allowing them to protect effectively.
The Effort Required
Proper socialization takes at least a year of exposure to various environments and people, followed by consistent training for another 1-2 years to stabilize behavior. Are you prepared for this long-term commitment?
Avoiding Fear-Based Aggression
Unaddressed fears can lead to aggression. Your job is to help your dog gain confidence in new situations, reducing anxiety and ensuring safety.
Professional Help and Equipment
Balanced training methods, such as using a prong collar or slip leash, can be highly effective when used correctly. Seeking expert guidance can ensure your dog matures into a well-behaved and confident adult.
Do You Know? Dogs Can Be Grouped Into Two Key Categories
Dogs Designed to Work with Humans
These breeds were bred to work closely with humans, making them more interactive and easier to train. They enjoy human attention, adapt well to family life, and thrive on structured activities like training or play.
- Perfect For: Families, first-time owners, and people looking for affectionate companions if energy level requirements are up 2 hours per day.
Dogs Not Designed to Work with Humans
Independent breeds were bred to work autonomously, often solving problems without human direction. They are less motivated by praise and require more creativity in training.
- Perfect For: Experienced owners who appreciate a dog’s independence and are prepared to invest extra time and effort into training.
Examples:
Breeds Meant to Work with Humans
These dogs are bred for teamwork with humans and are generally easier to train and bond with.
Hunting Dogs
Labrador Retriever – Exceptional retrievers and family-friendly.
Golden Retriever – Reliable and eager-to-please hunting companions.
English Springer Spaniel – Excellent for flushing and retrieving game.
Brittany Spaniel – Adaptable and intelligent bird dogs.
German Shorthaired Pointer – Versatile hunters with boundless energy.
Weimaraner – Elegant and eager hunting companions.
Irish Setter – Sociable and skilled bird retrievers.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever – Small, active, and great for waterfowl hunting.
Cocker Spaniel – Affectionate and skilled flushing dogs.
Standard Poodle – Surprisingly capable watchdogs with sharp intelligence.
Protection Dogs
German Shepherd – Loyal, intelligent, and highly trainable for guarding.
Rottweiler – Protective yet affectionate and obedient with proper training.
Doberman Pinscher – Agile, loyal, and excellent guard dogs.
Belgian Malinois – High-energy and brilliant in protection roles.
Boxer – Alert and protective, great for families.
Giant Schnauzer – Strong, smart, and dependable for guarding duties.
Working Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dog – Gentle, devoted, and easy to train for tasks.
Great Pyrenees – Protective yet people-oriented when socialized.
Portuguese Water Dog – Energetic and versatile workers.
Australian Shepherd – Skilled in herding and eager to learn.
Border Collie – Highly intelligent and excels at herding tasks.
Companion Breeds
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Loving and gentle with families.
Poodle (all sizes) – Smart and easily trainable companions.
Havanese – Cheerful and eager-to-please toy breed.
Papillon – Bright, active, and people-focused.
Breeds Not Designed to Work with Humans
These dogs are bred to work independently, often requiring experienced handlers.
Independent Hunting Dogs
Basenji – Cat-like in independence, used for hunting in African terrain.
Afghan Hound – Aloof and bred for speed in open terrain hunting.
Saluki – Graceful, independent hunters with a strong prey drive.
Foxhound (American and English) – Bred to track and hunt without close human guidance.
Irish Wolfhound – Gentle giants but retain independent hunting instincts.
Borzoi – Aloof and bred for swift hunting.
Protection and Guard Dogs
Bullmastiff – Bred to guard estates, works well independently.
Tibetan Mastiff – Strong-willed and territorial, requires expert handling.
Cane Corso – Protective and independent, best with consistent training.
Anatolian Shepherd – Guardian dogs for livestock, very independent.
Kuvasz – Independent and strong livestock guardians.
Central Asian Shepherd Dog – Wary of strangers and works autonomously.
Terriers
Jack Russell Terrier – Determined, energetic, and self-reliant hunters.
Airedale Terrier – Independent and strong-willed.
Scottish Terrier – Aloof and challenging to train.
West Highland White Terrier – Friendly but stubborn.
Bull Terrier – Energetic and independent, requires patience.
Primitive Breeds
Chow Chow – Aloof and highly independent.
Akita – Loyal but difficult to motivate.
Shiba Inu – Self-reliant and cat-like in their behavior.
Shar-Pei – Naturally wary and stubborn.
Alaskan Malamute – Bred for teamwork but not human-centered training.
Siberian Husky – Independent and bred for sledding in teams, not one-on-one work
Key Takeaway
Choosing the right dog is about understanding your lifestyle and matching it with the breed’s traits. Dogs designed to work with humans are often easier for first-time owners, while independent breeds require patience and expertise. Reflecting on these questions will help ensure a happy, fulfilling relationship with your new canine companion.