Choosing a Dog

By Gillian Ridgeway

The sentence rings out in my ears constantly. “Does he shed”? It has been a few days since the end of the Canadian National Exhibition and I am still thinking about it. For 18 days, three shows a day, the Iams SuperDogs entertained audiences at the CNE. As a team member, it is my greatest joy. At the end of every show, the audience is invited to come and meet the dogs and this seems to be the dog’s greatest joy. The dogs are on a platform, to allow them freedom of movement and a safe space and as the masses come for the pat and chat.

The number one question for me was about shedding. While some people have allergies and must seek out a non-shedding dog to join their family, the number of times I was asked it made me ponder how people went about choosing a dog. They did not seem to ask about activity level, if they were good with children or if they are easy to train.

When choosing a dog for your family, there are many things to take into consideration. Going to the store and falling in love with a little face, and bringing him home, can be instantly gratifying, but can have long lasting repercussions. Many dogs end up in shelters across the country, not because they are bad dogs, but mainly because their families made poor decision and over time they simply didn’t fit in.

We all have different physical characteristics in dogs that we gravitate towards. I tend to love the terriers and the little shaggy dogs with floppy ears, the ragamuffins of the dog world. One of my friends prefers small, shorthaired dogs with pointed ears and then there is my buddy who finds all Labrador Retrievers, especially if they are black, to be the most handsome dogs in the world. Physical characteristics can be important when choosing a breed or mix. The size of the dog can be quite a consideration when it comes to finances. The larger the dog, the more they eat…it is that simple and many people realize that aspect. What they may not have factored in is the Veterinarian fees. While vaccinations and examinations are the same for all dogs, the costs of other services have to rise depending upon the dog’s body weight. Larger dogs will go through more fluids when on an I.V. drip, they will need larger X-ray plates, they have to be housed in a larger area during their stay and of course, when they require medication, their dose will be higher. If you love large dogs, you should have a large dog, but budget accordingly. Of course, if you have a large family you might want to choose something smaller than a Bernese Mountain dog unless you plan on purchasing a mini van.

The kind of coat your dog can be a factor. You may want a non-shedding dog, but have to factor in grooming costs and daily maintenance. People who share their homes with Whippets and Viszlas smile at those of us who love fuzzy dogs. There is not only the cost of professional grooming on a regular basis, there is also the time involved in keeping those coats burr-free.

The age of the dog you bring into your family is heavily debated. I have had the opportunity to have re-homed dogs come into my life as well as acquiring my last dog as a puppy. All my experiences were unique, and all went well. Most of my dogs have been rescued from other homes and this can be great for someone who wants to skip the puppy-hood rituals of crate training, toilet training and the baby “shark” teeth. Adult dogs also have the added advantage of being just that. Mature dogs that are not only fully grown, but also with an established personality. By adopting a dog, especially a mix breed, you are sure of the suitability for your family. Mixed breed puppies can be a guessing game. Those pups need to know that one of your criteria is not the size they will be when full-grown. If the little terrier cross that was supposed to be 15 lbs. grows up to look more like a Husky, coming in at 55 lbs., he needs to know that his family is able to keep him regardless.

One of the most important things in choosing a breed or a mix is to make sure your personality matches theirs. Some breeds are far more active, and will require an active family to keep up. Don’t confuse active with hyper. During the pat and chat, my friend was with her Border Collie, a lovely dog that has a sweet disposition. She had just finished running very fast, and the comment was made that she must by “hyper”. Hyper is more a state of frenzy and if you tend towards that in your own life, your choice should be a calmer dog. This particular dog was just fast on the course, but is the type to curl up by the fire at home. The match of a frenetic dog and a anxious dog owner can be a recipe for disaster. Of course these hyperactive dogs can be perfect for someone calm who loves to train, who loves the thrill of dog sports or who just enjoys a dog that has this kind of zest for life. The anxious dog owner would be best served choosing a laid back dog to take for long hikes, a calming activity that might suit them both.

The sporting breeds will need a lot of outdoor activitiy, the herders do well with organized dog sports and the toy breeds love a brisk walk around the block. Make sure you research your breeds. Activity level is not only based on size. Those little terriers require a fair amount of exercise and do very well when they are being taught new lessons. Although larger, a spaniel type dog might be more suited to live with an active senior than a terrier, mainly because terriers don’t enjoy much down time. Working breeds can be a nice addition to the home if they are trained in a non-confrontational manner. There are exceptions to all breeds, and this is just a general idea to get you started on your journey towards the dog for you. Asking lots of questions of Veterinarians and dog trainers will help guide your decision.

Children can play a large factor in the dog you add to your family. Some dogs have more body sensitivity that others. Some of the herding breeds, such as Shelties, don’t enjoy rough housing. While they might tolerate it, they prefer to watch from a distance. Generally speaking, the retrievers seem to have a higher tolerance for this kind of play. They are less reactive and of course, love nothing more that bringing back a ball. If you don’t have children, it is still important that take the time to acclimatize your dog to the size, movements and squeals of kids.

Socializing can also play a part. Socialization for humans. There are many people that live alone and taking their dog out and about can often spark conversation with neighbors, and even long lasting friendships. Dog sports such as Flyball and Agility can attract like minded people to the trials and even to the dog classrooms. Recently we had a class of dogs that had been together for puppy class, and Family Dog class and called into our office. They had gone for coffee after class and wanted to remain together as a group for the intermediate class on Saturday mornings. We were able to accommodate their request. Their Saturday mornings had turned into a social event. People and dogs, enjoying each other’s company. Isn’t that what having a dog is all about?

Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 33 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!, Gillian also writes for Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the Iams SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net