Doggie Profiling
May 8, 2008 · Print This Article
Looking for a new member for your family, but not sure what breed to choose? A controversial study from the American Veterinary Association shows that breeds can be placed in seven groups based on three general traits:
- Reactivity (described as showing a need for affection, excessive barking, snapping at children, being excitable, or having a high activity level)
- Aggressiveness (showing dominance or being territorial)
- Trainability (easy to train)
You can use this these groups to narrow down your search, based on what you are looking for in a dog.
Group 1 shows high reactivity, medium aggression, and low trainability. Dogs in this group include Lhasa Apso, Pomeranian, Maltese, Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Weimaraner, Pug, and Irish Setter.
Group 2 dogs have very low reactivity, very low aggression, and low trainability. These dogs include English Bulldog, Old English Sheepdog, Norwegian Elkhound, Bloodhound, and Basset Hound.
Group 3 is characterized by low reactivity, high aggression, and low trainability, (i.e. not great dogs for kids). The dogs in this group are the Samoyed, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Saint Bernard, Afghan Hound, Boxer, Dalmatian, Great Dane, Chow Chow.
Group 4 has high reactivity, medium aggression, and very high trainability. If you are looking for a dog with these qualities, check out Shetland Sheepdogs, ShihTzus, any size Poodles, Bichon Frise, English Springer Spaniels, and Welsh Corgies.
Group 5 dogs have low reactivity, low aggression, high trainability. (For me, this is the perfect dog!) Dogs in this group include the Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Golden Retriever, Vizsla, Brittany Spaniel, German Short-haired Pointer, Newfoundland, Keeshond, Collie, and Australian Shepherd.
Group 6 dogs are great watchdogs for their very low reactivity, very high aggression, and very high trainability. These dogs are German Shepherds, Akitas, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers.
Group 7 dogs have high reactivity, very high aggression, and medium trainability. If that’w what you are looking for, check out terriers, miniature Schnauzers, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds.
Obviously, not every dog in the specified breed will fit the profile, but this gives you a place to start. Check out our breed guides for more information when you are considering adding a four-legged friend. Don’t forget to write in with your comments - let me know if these profiles stack up to what you see in your own dogs! You can leave comments here on the blog or send me an e-mail at TheDogLady@doggies.com.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Hello every poodle lover out there!
I have a baby girl named Ruby. She is my heart and I love her dearly. She is a wheat-champaigne colored toy poodle. She is the friendliest little girl you could ever want to meet. When I became her mommie, I did not have her fixed and now she is six years old and I am looking for a mate for her.
Does anyone know of a male toy poodle who is ready to mate? Please email me at poodlesnroses@gmail.com.
We can exchange vet info health record info whatever you want. I live in Queens New York. Also if there is a poodle club that gets together in a park please let me know. I drive and can go into Manhattan or any of the other boroughs. Thanks so much and be well and take good care of your pet children.
Irma
8 months ago I traveled to the east coast to buy a replacement for the Australian Shepherd I had lost to cancer. I thought I was dealing with a reputable breeder. The puppy was 10 weeks old when we brought her home and everyone loved her. Soon I experienced a very aggressive attitude when I tried to walk her. The trainer at the puppy class refused to believe that she was anything but perfect. I tried to tell them that she was a different dog at home. Eight months later I am having her evaluated as possibly an aggressive dog. She charges strangers that come to our home and even turns on us if we get in her way. I read the contract in total for the first time, stupid, and it says if the dog is deemed unsafe by 2 out of 3 trainers befor the age of one year the breeder wil uthenize and replace the dog. We are devisated because we , I feel I let her down by not insisting on help at 12 weeks. Beware of breeders.
Kerry - Sounds like you had a really terrible experience, but please don’t let this turn you off of breeders forever! There are many people out there who really, truly care about the good of their pups.
As you noted, it’s always important to read the contract because each breeder inserts different contracts. If only you knew now what you knew then!
I don’t know any Australian Shepard breeders, but I do know several people who breed, and they maintain strong relationships with their adoptive families. It would be nice if we could tell upfront who’s good and who’s not.
As far as aggression, if you find any “cures” let me know, as I am also dealing with the problem.
Good luck!