Let’s get a dog! Well, that’s definitely an interesting thought but not one you can, or rather should, act on whimsically. Bringing home a dog means signing up for an average of 10 years of commitment, vowing to love and care for your dog through good times and bad, in sickness and in health. That is why it’s crucial to choose a dog breed that aligns well with your lifestyle, expectations, and experience as a dog parent.

That is not an easy choice to make given that there are close to 500 recognized (and perhaps an equal number of unrecognized, if not more) dog breeds out there. The American Kennel Club currently recognizes 200 dog breeds whereas the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (or the International Canine Federation) recognizes 356 breeds. This number varies for different organizations, with the highest being 450. Then, there are dog breeds that exist but aren’t officially recognized anywhere.

So, how do you choose one that’s right for you? It’s important to do your research to find the best dog breed for you. Here are some things to consider:

• Lifestyle: Do you lead an active lifestyle? Would you have time to take your dog on long walks and hikes, or schedule playtime with them? Do you travel often? What is your work schedule like? What kind of house do you live in? These are important questions to address when choosing a dog breed that’s right for you
• Experience: Have you raised dogs before? If not, it’d help to look into the best dog breed for first-time owners
• Temperament: Calm dog breeds, for instance, are considered to be best suited to homes with children
• Age: Your age is also an important consideration in figuring out the right dog type for you. For example, the best dog breeds for seniors would be the ones that are known to be low-maintenance and cool-tempered whereas young people are better suited as pet parents to energetic dogs who need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to thrive

All About Dog Parenting is here to help you find the answers to these questions with a dedicated segment on different dog breeds, their characteristics, temperament, health issues, and more.

In the process, we will also bust certain myths about dogs who have over the years earned the reputation of being hard to handle, stubborn, and ill-tempered. This dog mom firmly believes there are no bad dogs in the world. Only poorly raised ones, who go on to develop personalities and exhibit behaviors that can be detrimental to the people around them.

And I don’t make this claim lightly. As a mom to German Shepherds, who are known to be one of the most strong-headed and ferocious dog breeds, I have had the privilege of raising beautiful pups who grew up to be the most gentle, loving furry giants I have ever come across. But the one we had rescued came from an abusive home and displayed all sorts of unhealthy behaviors and gentling him was the biggest challenge we’ve had to surmount during our journey as pet parents. So, yes, to a very large extent, it all boils down to how you raise them.

That being said, if you bring home a dog that doesn’t fit well into your way of life, raising him/her right can become a challenge. For instance, let’s say you live in an apartment and work 40-hour weeks, and you bring home a German Shepherd, that relationship is bound to have its challenges. You may not have the kind of time this dog breed needs to blossom into well-behaved pets.

From consistent training sessions, starting as early as 8-10 weeks of age, to long walks, scheduled playtime, and everyday grooming, a GSD requires devotion from their pet parents, and in turn, pays you back in oodles and oodles of love and unmatched loyalty, devotion, and goofiness. However, in the absence of this quality time, the same dog can start resorting to problematic behaviors such as,

• Excessive barking
• Destruction of household items
• Disobedience
• Extreme territorial behavior
• Biting
• Aggression

The same can be true of any other breed considered inherently ferocious, such as

• Rottweiler
• Doberman Pinscher
• Pit Bull
• Presa Canario
• Bullmastiff
• Boxer
• Cane Corse
• American Pit Bull
• Pit Bull

Likewise, there is a misconception that medium and small dogs are calm dog breeds and easy to handle. However, nothing could be further from the truth. For instance, if you bring home a Beagle thinking they’re not only counted among the smart dog breeds but also small in size, ergo, should be easy to handle, you’re going to be in for a surprise and not the pleasant kind. Owing to their intelligence and hunting skills, which they were specifically bred for, Beagles can be one of the hardest breeds to domesticate. They, too, require a lot of disciplined, consistent training to mold into loving house pets.

Over the years, learning and studying about dogs and their behaviors, and temperaments, I’ve discovered that most of the tags such as calm dog breeds, intelligent dog breeds, smart dog breeds, dangerous dog breeds, or the most affectionate dog breeds are nothing more than stereotypes. They contribute to a lot of malpractices such as unethical and unhealthy breeding of certain types of dogs or mindless, inhumane euthanizing of others. All About Dog Parenting seeks to dispel these misconceptions and myths and help you find the right furry baby based on your needs and abilities, whether you are looking for the best dog breeds for first-time owners, the right dog breeds for seniors, a pooch for a home with kids, or a seasoned pet parent exploring different types of dogs you can add to your pack.