What Dog Breed is Right for Your Family?

Choosing the right pet is one of the most important decisions you can make for your family: the best choice ensures both human and canine are safe and content with their living situation. While there are many factors to consider, one of the first questions prospective pet owners ask themselves is, “What kind of dog do I want?” The American Kennel Club recently issued a list of the most popular dog breeds for families in the country. Should you be paying attention to this?
Yes and no. Of course it is great to research different dog breeds before you make your decision. For instance, you may want a shorter haired or “hypoallergenic” breed to accommodate for family members with allergies. You may want a dog that is very physical and active or one that is content with rambling, leisurely walks. Knowing about a breed’s characteristics can help you get an idea of what you may want, but it doesn’t ensure you get the perfect pet.
Let’s say you know that golden retrievers have a reputation of being very friendly, smart, and quick to take up obedience training – and they are the fourth most popular breed, according to the AKC. You may think this is perfect for your family. But if you have a busy lifestyle, you may soon find that your loveable retriever is a bustling ball of hyperactivity. This particular dog, while popular, may not be right for your home.
On the other hand, you are unlikely to find breeds like the pit bull on any AKC list, but these can make the best pets. Pit bulls can be gentle and patient with children, calm in the home and on walks, and sociable with people and other animals. If you have ever seen a great, well-trained pit bull with a child, you will find the terms “attack breed” or “viscous breed” patently absurd. While it is true that the breed has traditionally been trained to fight, that does not mean each pit bull is a fighter, especially when lovingly trained.
There is no one single perfect breed, but there are pets that will be perfect for you. It is important not to let reputations make your decision for you: a particular golden retriever may have a terrible disposition and be the last animal you’d want around your child, while a Rottweiler could be the sweetest companion you could ask for your little one. Making assumptions based on the breed isn’t always helpful, and it may cause you to miss out on the perfect pet. The best way to choose a dog is to in person, based on personality and disposition, not breeding and pedigree.