Writers’ Paradise

Knowing about dog breeds will help you when you choose a pet dog. Purebred dos are bred over many generations to look alike. Mixed-breed dogs are a combination of different breeds.

Terriers: Terriers are small, tough and lively- they were originally bred for hunting rats and mice. Their lively personalities make them appealing as pets, though they can be aggressive sometimes. Examples: Border terrier, Jack Russel, Yorkshire Terrier.

Toy Dogs: toy dogs are small dogs bred to be people’s companions. They have strong characters and are often noisy, but they don’t need as much exercise as the bigger breeds. Examples: Chihuahua, Pug, Pekingese.
Hounds: Hounds were bred to chase and hunt animals. These medium-to-large dogs are usually very friendly, but they need a lot of exercise. Examples: Greyhound, Beagle.
Working Dogs: Working dogs are traditional guard and rescue dogs. Although loyal and intelligent, they do not make ideal first pets as they are often large and strong, and can be over- protective. Examples: Boxer, Doberman, St Bernard.
Pastoral Dogs: Pastoral dogs are best known for herding sheep and cattle. They are intelligent, easy to train and have lots of energy. As pets they may get bored and restless if they don’t have enough to do. Examples: Collie, German Shepherd.
Gun Dogs: Gun dogs were originally bred to help hunters retrieve shot-down game. Many of them are co-operative and make great family pets, as long as they get plenty of exercise. Examples: Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever
Utility Dogs: Utility dogs have been bred over the years for different purposes. They include a variety of breeds that don’t fit into any of the other groups. Examples: Bulldog, Dalmatian, Poodle
Mixed Breeds: Mixed breed dogs ( or mongrels) are mixtures of two or more breeds. They tend to be healthier than purebreds; they are also cheaper to buy and generally make good pets. However it is often difficult to predict their final size and temperament.

Filed under: Pets, dogs