Dog Breed Questions

Why Different Dog Breeds Appeal To Different People


There is something special about the relationship between a dog and the owner. From the first moment they meet, there is often a connection that seems to defy any rational explanation. If the right dog is paired with the right owner, both animal and human benefit from a closeness that is both unique and mutually beneficial to all parties concerned. But what is it about some different dog breeds that seem to draw different types of people to those breeds? Here are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon. Some of these, you may have already heard before; others, you probably have not.

In some cases, there may be a mutual sense of need that acts as a magnet to draw the dog and the human together. Many people who get the idea of owning a dog and make a trip to the local animal shelter will recount some experience that led to choosing a particular breed of dog. Sometimes it is because one of the dogs reminded the individual of a much-loved pet from yesteryear. In other instances, the desire for different dog breeds is much less a conscious connection and more of a strong emotional feeling. Just looking at the dog and making an eye to eye connection was enough to settle all doubt that this was the right dog to come home with the new owner.

In other cases, a potential dog owner may already have an idea of what breed he or she would like to own. When this is the case, a mixed breed from the pound may not be the best option. Instead, this individual will seek out a dog breeder and ask for assistance in determing which of the different dog breeds will fit their preconception of the breed they prefer.

The motivation for this may sometimes have some connection with the past. Or perhaps it may be more along the lines of living in the right house and having the right kind of pet to express a certain social standing in the community. After all, some breeds are considered to be more appropriate for upwardly mobile families, including some of the rare dog breeds in the world today.

Another possible reason why people choose a specific dog breed has to do with the home environment. The homeowner wants a dog that will shed relatively little hair, so that will reduce the number of acceptable breeds. A smaller dog may be more to the liking of the individual, so larger breeds will automatically be excluded. If a particular temperament is preferred, then different dog breeds which tend to have a given mood will go to the top of the list. In short, the dog of choice will be the dog that fits into the household with a minimum of interruption to the daily routine.