A friend of ours on the island has a Belgian Malinois. This fellow is big, strong, playful and powerful. He loves to swim and leap into the sea off the pier. He’s has been rigorously trained since a pup and is at home in his kennel in the back of the land rover. He’s his master’s best friend and constant companion - rarely far from his side.
On the other side of the island is another friend with her new Pomeranian puppy. A tiny ball of fluff that can be held in two palms and travels in her own puppy stroller. Her predecessor sadly passed after a long and pampered life leaving her owner bereaved. She is also a constant companion. The two dogs could not be further poles apart in demeaner or dimension.
Both owners knew exactly what they were getting in nature and character when they chose their pups from a reputable breeder. However, too many people choose on appearance alone – and let’s face it all puppies are cute but they grow up into what Nature created from man’s intervention over the millennia.
Never was this so proven as during COVID and the aftermath in thousands of dogs needing second homes. Breeds have a blueprint and how we manage that with our expectations and responsibility in training can result in pain or pleasure - for human and dog.
Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years, evolving alongside humans to fulfill various roles. Understanding a breed's original purpose can provide valuable insights into their temperament, needs, and potential challenges in a domestic setting. Let's explore some popular dog breeds, their original purposes, and how these traits manifest in home environments.
Herding Dogs
Border Collie, Australian Shepherd
Original Purpose:
Controlling and moving livestock.
Modern traits:
- High energy and intelligence
- Strong work drive
- May attempt to "herd" children or other pets
- Require extensive mental and physical stimulation
Potential Issues:
- If under-stimulated, these breeds may exhibit destructive behavior like chewing furniture or excessive barking
- Might nip at heels of children or other pets in an attempt to "herd" them
- Can become anxious or hyperactive without enough mental and physical exercise
- May excel at obedience training and dog sports like agility or flyball
Sporting Dogs
Golden, Labrador Retriever, Pointer
Original purpose:
Assisting hunters in finding and retrieving game
Modern traits:
- Friendly and outgoing
- High energy levels
- Love for water and retrieval games
- Require regular exercise and engagement
Potential Issues:
- Prone to weight gain if not exercised enough
- May become destructive or develop nuisance behaviors like excessive barking if bored
- Tend to be "mouthy" and may need training to control retrieving instincts
- Often love swimming pools or sprinklers, which can be great for exercise
Terriers
Jack Russell, Scottish Terrier, Westie
Original purpose:
Hunting small game and vermin
Modern traits:
- Tenacious and energetic
- May have a high prey drive
- Can be prone to digging and barking
- Benefit from activities that channel their hunting instincts
Potential Issues:
- Can be prone to digging in the yard or even indoors if not provided proper outlets
- May bark excessively, especially at perceived intruders or small animals outside
- Could have a strong prey drive, potentially chasing cats or small pets
- Might be stubborn during training, requiring consistent, positive reinforcement
Guardian Breeds
German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Belgian Malinois
Original purpose:
Protecting property and livestock
Modern traits:
- Loyal and protective of family
- May be wary of strangers
- Require proper socialization and training
- Thrive on having a job or purpose
Potential Issues:
- May be overly protective, requiring careful socialization to prevent aggression
- Could become territorial over the house or yard
- Might be aloof with guests, needing proper introduction protocols
- Often bond closely with family but may not be as friendly with strangers
Companion Dogs
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug
Original purpose:
Providing companionship to nobility
Modern traits:
- Affectionate and people-oriented
- Generally lower energy levels
- May suffer from separation anxiety
- Excel in therapy and emotional support roles
Potential Issues:
- Often velcro dogs, following owners from room to room
- May develop separation anxiety if not taught to be alone
- Could be prone to small dog syndrome if not properly trained
- Often seek out laps and comfortable furniture, potentially leading to resource guarding if not managed
Sled Dogs
Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute
Original purpose:
Pulling sleds in arctic conditions
Modern traits:
- High endurance and energy
- Strong pack mentality
- May have a high prey drive
- Require extensive exercise and may be prone to escaping
Potential Issues:
- Can be escape artists, potentially digging under or jumping over fences
- Might "talk" a lot with howls and other vocalizations
- Could have a high prey drive, making them challenging around cats or small pets
- May be stubborn and independent, requiring consistent training
Scent Hounds
Beagle, Bloodhound, Basset
Original purpose:
Tracking game by scent
Modern traits:
- Driven by their noses
- May be easily distracted by interesting smells
- Generally good with other dogs
- Benefit from scent-based activities and games
Potential Issues:
- Prone to following their noses, potentially leading them to trouble in unfenced areas
- Can be vocal, especially when on a scent trail
- Might be food motivated, leading to potential weight issues if not managed
- Could ignore commands when distracted by interesting smells
Toy Breeds
Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian
Original purpose:
Companionship and sometimes vermin control
Modern traits:
- Often bold personalities in small packages
- May be prone to barking
- Generally adaptable to small living spaces
- Can be fragile, requiring careful handling
Potential Issues:
- Often seek high places for security, potentially jumping on furniture
- May be prone to barking at every little noise
- Could develop "small dog syndrome" if not properly socialized and trained
- Might be difficult to housetrain due to small bladders and aversion to cold or wet conditions
General Domestic Considerations:
- Exercise Needs:
- High-energy breeds may become destructive, bark excessively, or develop anxiety if not exercised enough
- Lower energy breeds might become overweight without proper exercise management
- Alone Time:
- Some breeds are more prone to separation anxiety, potentially leading to destructive behavior or excessive vocalization when left alone
- Others may be more independent but still require mental stimulation when alone
- Furniture and Personal Space:
- Smaller breeds and companion dogs often seek out comfortable spots on furniture
- Larger breeds may try to be lap dogs despite their size
- Some dogs may become possessive of favorite spots if not taught proper boundaries
- Training and Socialization:
- All breeds benefit from early and ongoing training and socialization
- Some breeds may be more challenging to train due to independence or stubbornness
- Others may be highly trainable but require consistent mental stimulation to prevent boredom
- Grooming:
- Long-haired breeds may require regular professional grooming
- Short-haired breeds might shed more than expected, requiring regular brushing
- Barking:
- Some breeds are naturally more vocal and may require specific training to manage barking
- Others may be quieter but still bark if under-stimulated or anxious
Remember, while breed tendencies provide a general guide, individual dogs can vary greatly. Proper training, socialization, and meeting a dog's needs for physical and mental stimulation are crucial for any breed to thrive in a domestic setting.
Understanding these breed origins helps potential dog owners make informed decisions and provides existing owners with insights into their pets' behaviors.
However, it's crucial to remember that individual dogs can vary significantly within breeds, and proper training and socialization play vital roles in shaping a dog's behavior.
When choosing a dog, consider your lifestyle, living situation, and the time you can dedicate to exercise and training. Some breeds may require more specialized care or experience higher risks of certain health issues due to their breeding history.
Regardless of breed, all dogs need love, attention, proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and appropriate exercise. By understanding your dog's inherent traits and meeting their specific needs, you can forge a strong, harmonious relationship with your canine companion.
Call to Action:
Interested in finding the perfect breed for your lifestyle? Consider adopting from a breed-specific rescue or shelter where staff can match you with a dog that fits your needs. Remember, mixed-breed dogs often exhibit a blend of traits that can make them wonderful, unique companions. Visit your local animal shelter or rescue organization to meet dogs of various breeds and find your perfect match!
[Link to Dog Adoption Resources]
Photo Credit: Wayhomestudio on Freepik