| Let's say you've decided to take on the | | | | enough to follow game underground and chase it |
| responsibility of owning a dog. You would like to | | | | back out again. The Jack Russell terrier is a good |
| have a pure bred dog and are wondering which of | | | | example that has a lively, inquisitive character that |
| the many breeds would be the one to suit you | | | | is equally happy to spend the day at home or |
| and your lifestyle. Well, this article will give you | | | | exploring outdoors. It is very trainable but don't |
| some tips and pointers to help you in your choice. | | | | buy a puppy from working parents with strong |
| In the UK, the Kennel Club has divided all the | | | | hunting instincts, your pup could grow to be a bit |
| recognized breeds into 10 groups and we will | | | | sharp towards cats and will delight in disappearing |
| briefly look at one or two breeds in each group. | | | | down rabbit holes. |
| Working | | | | Pastoral |
| In this group are some of the big breeds like the | | | | Pastoral dogs are a sub-division of working dogs |
| St. Bernard and the Rottweiler which has become | | | | and includes dogs bred for shepherding work. A |
| increasingly popular and a bit maligned as a result. | | | | Border Collie makes a good house pet; it is |
| This is not so much a fault with the breed as with | | | | intelligent and responds well to almost any form |
| the owner. The Rottweiler needs to be owned | | | | of training. They do require quite a lot of activity |
| and trained by an experienced handler. The | | | | as part of their daily routine and prefer to be |
| Rottweiler has a guarding instinct which needs to | | | | kept occupied. If your Collie is going to share a |
| be carefully managed otherwise this instinct can | | | | less active lifestyle then look at an adult dog to |
| be dangerous if misapplied. This is emphatically not | | | | judge if it is one of the quieter collie types before |
| a breed to choose if you are a novice owner. | | | | buying it. |
| Hounds | | | | Toys |
| Some of the oldest breeds of dog are grouped | | | | These are the smaller breeds of dog that were |
| here of all sizes ranging from the Irish Wolfhound | | | | the first to be bred as human companions are |
| to the Miniature Dachshund. It's true that some of | | | | were probably the original house pets. Be aware |
| the hounds can make excellent pets but others | | | | that some breeds may have potential health |
| are a bit too independent for a family dog. One | | | | problems caused by bad selective breeding for |
| safe bet is the Dachshund which originally came | | | | shape and size to suit human tastes, but most of |
| from Germany where it was bred for badger | | | | these breeds make excellent companions. The |
| hunting. They are easily trained and make faithful | | | | smallest breed is the Chihuahua who is entertaining |
| companions and great house pets. The Irish | | | | and fun and acts like a big dog in a 2.5 kg body. |
| Wolfhound is a huge dog and very gentle with lots | | | | Also small is the ever popular Yorkshire Terrier |
| of character but is way too big to comfortably | | | | who embodies the typical liveliness,feistiness and |
| share an average-sized home. | | | | intelligence of a terrier in a pocket-sized edition. |
| Gundogs | | | | Utility |
| Here we have the Setters and Spaniels that have | | | | Without doubt the Poodle is the most popular |
| an instinct to track game by scent. They can be | | | | breed of dog in this group which also includes the |
| a good choice of dog breed but make sure that | | | | Shih Tzu and Dalmatian. The largest Poodle is |
| as young dogs they are not given the chance to | | | | called a Standard, then there is the smaller |
| develop their tracking behavior. Both the Golden | | | | Miniature and the smallest size is the Toy. The |
| Retriever and Labrador Retriever can make | | | | Poodle is a star performer in American Obedience |
| outstanding house pets and are very popular | | | | Trials because it is highly intelligent and learns new |
| because they are friendly, trainable and | | | | commands very quickly. It makes a good house |
| dependable. | | | | pet and does not shed hair on the carpet or |
| Terriers | | | | furnishings because it has a coat of wool. |
| These dogs were originally bred small and bold | | | | |