Should Your Family Get a Purebreed Dog?

Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed or a mutt?"

Why is this question so controversial? Is one dog the same as another? Is there a benefit to 'getting what you paid for'?

The truth is that one dog is like another - at least in many respects. What is not true is that every dog is equally suitable for your family. Dog rescuers may tell you to look beyond the breed and breeders tell you that you won't know what you're getting with a mixed breed. They're both right.

If you want a family dog the responsiblity is the same regardless of whether you rescued an abandoned dog from the shelter or paid upwards of $1000 for a puppy with registration papers. What is different is how you can predict the suitablity of a dog for your children.

What You Know and What You Don't?

While each individual dog has it's own personality, there are strong traits that can be breed related such as energy requirements, size, determination (a factor to consider when training your dog) and general disposition. I say general because there are always exceptions to the rules. Getting a pure bred puppy can answer some of those questions for you and help you select a good match for your family.

On the other hand you can never absolutely predict a puppy's temperment and if you are not at all concerned with size, energy or trainability then you can find a loving, good natured puppy with any genetic background. Being able to identify these traits is possible although there are still no guarantees.

What About Mixed Breed Dogs?

If however you are looking for a grown dog rather than a puppy you can find many dogs in shelters that have basic training and are already 'settled' into their temperament. Unless the dog has no traceable history and has shown aggressive behavior you should be able to visit with the dog and determine how well it would do with your family without too much concern.

Having even a bit of understanding of the breed groups and requirements will also help you know what to expect since even broad groupings (like terriers or sporting dogs) often have predicitable traits that even a mixed breed dog is likely to show if the genetic history is identifiable. In fact you may find a unique mix that suits your family better than any other dog you could find in a purebreed.

Take time to get to know the puppy or dog before buying or adopting and get your children involved!

Shannon Emmanuel is a freelance writer and the author of 'Choose the Best Dog for Your Child'. Find out more about family dogs at http://www.choosing-a-dog-for-family.com.

executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport car
In The News:

Getting virus alerts on your iPhone? Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to handle fake scam alerts and boost security.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says opening emails is safe, but risks arise from interacting with links, attachments or HTML content.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals four signs of compromised Social Security numbers and offers five steps to protect yourself.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how MAB Robotics' Honey Badger 4.0, a versatile robot, now walks underwater with amphibious skills.
An updated Android trojan called FakeCall hijacks bank calls. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Android phone manufacturers and Google need to step up their game on security.
The Massimo Modular E9 is a sleek, smart and comfy tiny home in 409 square feet. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson takes a closer look at what the future of housing might look like.
Every stock trader should consider a virtual private network to safeguard their trading, according to tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson.
Apple recently announced its new lineup of Macs and rolled out Apple Intelligence, its latest artificial intelligence-powered feature for its products.
A Swiss-engineered robot can climb ladders, showing why it's at the cutting edge of autonomous robotic solutions for harsh industrial settings.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson presents the cities targeted most by robocalls, why this is happening and what you can do about it to protect your privacy.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares tips and suggestions for how to get the best use out of the updated Calendar app available with the latest iOS update.
Your Social Security number, your unique identifier used for many purposes, has likely been leaked on the Dark Web; here are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
Researchers have developed a new technology that creates strong, sticky fibers capable of lifting objects and capturing things from a distance.
Smart rings track the same things that smartwatches do, including steps, sleep and a general overview of your overall health, and they tend have more battery life than smartwatches.
Researchers have developed a robotic finger that can perform routine medical exams like those conducted by doctors, helping to address the growing shortage of trained professionals.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Insurance administrative services company Landmark Admin reported that a data breach from a May cyberattack affected over 800,000 people.
Sotheby's will auction the first artwork created by Ai-Da, the world's first robot artist created in 2019 by British gallerist Aidan Meller.
More than 250 million users of the Verizon Messages app will have to switch to another app. Verizon is shutting down Messages in the next month.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides a list of 10 celebrities who are the most targeted by deepfake scams, including Tom Hanks.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Vast's Haven-1, launching in 2025, transforms space living with human-centric design.
UnitedHealth confirms over 100 million Change Healthcare users had their data stolen. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals what happened and what caused the breach.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how iOS 18 brings new text formatting and animated effects to the Messages app.
Whether you're a social media veteran or novice, Facebook friend request scams are common. Kurt the CyberGuy provides tips to keep your account safe.

Dog Training ? Early Training Is Essential

Dogs are a fantastic edition to any family but like... Read More

How To Grow Daphnia For The Aquarium

The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a... Read More

Surprising Health Benefits for Pet Owners

Did you know that there are key health benefits that... Read More

5 Surefire Ways to Show Your Dog You?re The Boss

You Must Be The Alpha DogFirst, let's take a look... Read More

Training Your Dog?Is It Worth The Effort Or Is It Just A Waste Of Time?

Many people feel that taking the time to train their... Read More

Does Your Dog Need Puppy Prozac?

Is your dog up to dirty no good again? Did... Read More

Dog Training For Beginners

Training a dog is a fairly difficult task. Some find... Read More

Goldfish Tips - Finding Out The Gender of Your Goldfish

Boy or Girl?How can you tell whether your Goldfish is... Read More

Why Should I Adopt A Pet

Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More

Larger Dog Food Isles

Grocery Stores could use some larger Dog Food Isles. Not... Read More

Dog Pile - Please Pick It Up

I really do not hope your are eating something, but... Read More

Westie Merchandise that Benefits your Dog

There are many places to find Westie merchandise, but before... Read More

A Guide to Bird Cages for Sale

As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More

Love Your Animal Companion? Spay or Neuter

Ozzie, my four-month old Rottweiler peered up at me with... Read More

Feeding Your Pet Stingray - The Essentials of Maintaining a Varied Diet

Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a... Read More

Choosing the Right Size for Your Dog

Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More

The Top Ten Reasons You Can - And Should - Hold an Equine Educational Event

Boarding, Breeding, Training & Showing Stables:1. You need to fill... Read More

5 Tips For Feeding A Happy, Healthy Dog

Do you really know all there is to know about... Read More

Does Your Dog Dig?

Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or... Read More

Worms in Your Dog... Gross!

Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms take... Read More

Biting & Nipping Behavior Can Kill Your Dog!

Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that... Read More

Protecting Your Child from a Dog Bite

Dogs make great loyal pets and are always pleased to... Read More

Train Your Buddy To ?Walk? & ?Dance? - Warning: Not All Dogs Can Do It!

Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that... Read More

An Introduction to Dog Beds

Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More

Dealing With Canine Ringworm

Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More

O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..