The American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed which has been gaining in popularity for a while now. At the same time, he has also been targeted unfairly. Unreasonable legislation has popped up across the country targeting several “bully breeds” – the American Staffordshire Terrier being one of them. This is not to say that the breed has the same temperament as a Golden Retriever… he definitely needs to be owned by those who know what they are doing. However the bad press touting him as “vicious” and “likely to turn on his owner” is based more on fear than on actual fact.

The AmStaff, as he is affectionately nicknamed, is rarely a people-aggressive dog. In fact, he is an excellent family dog and usually extremely good with children! Many enjoy acting silly just to make their owners laugh. This is not to say that he isn’t strong or powerful, however. He is. If not trained, he does a very good job at dragging his owners down the street. A simple walk can turn into a frustrating experience if the dog is not leash-trained and obedience-trained.

The AmStaff is also very athletic and needs to be exercised… another reason why training him is so important. A well-trained AmStaff is a joy to live with! There are many activities you can do with him, including formal obedience competitions, agility, and tracking. He generally loves to please his owners, and takes very well to obedience training.

Socialization is important for this breed. As a puppy, he needs to be introduced to as many people, animals, places and situations as possible. This helps him to become well-rounded and not easily spooked or scared of new things. Doing so not only helps your own dog, but also makes him a good ambassador for the breed.

The AmStaff is not a dog which can be just left out in the yard with little contact. Throughout his entire life, he needs to spend quality time with you and your family. Otherwise, if he becomes bored he can also become destructive to your property.

The AmStaff is a “tough” breed in many different ways, one of which is that he is less likely to show being hurt if he is injured. This stoic nature means that owners need to be vigilant about watching him so they know when to take him to the vet. Whereas some dogs might cry out or complain when they are hurt, the AmStaff is more secretive about it. He still needs to visit the vet hospital if he is injured, so make sure to watch him closely.

Many people who own this breed swear that their dogs are the most loyal and devoted companions they have ever had. This, combined with their gentle natures and reliable steadiness, makes them the first choice for countless dog owners.

“Amstaff 9 months old cropped ears2” by Wickedpedia81

The Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a gentle, loving dog. Once bred for trailing and hunting game, they make excellent family pets to those who meet their requirements of care. Very good with children as well as other pets, they are friendly and affectionate in every sense. They need to be trained not to jump up on people or try to crawl onto a lap – after all, they can weigh up to 75 pounds! Their weight is deceiving when you consider that height-wise, they could be considered tiny. Unlike most breeds, however, they have a very “heavy bone” and are thus considered a large dog on short legs.

Don’t let their looks fool you… although they look very sedentary they do require exercise! After all they were bred to live a rather active hunting life! However they don’t require as much as, for example, a large sporting dog. Unlike some breeds, you will find yourself walking with a Basset rather than jogging. For many people, this is a plus! Exercise is important for both physical as well as mental reasons. A Basset that never takes walks with his owner will not only become fat, but also oftentimes bored. It should be noted that while the puppy is growing, exercise should be limited to avoid straining the joints. Once the dog is fully grown you can work him up to longer and longer walks. Basset-Hound

As the breed can be stubborn and willful, many people give up on training their Basset. Those who do are missing out on a great opportunity to interact and have fun with their dogs! While there are not many Bassets that compete in formal obedience… the few that do are having great experiences! Even if you do not want to formally compete, teaching foundational obedience is still very important… just as it is with every dog. You may want to also consider training in other “dog sports” as well. Bassets excel in hunting as well as tracking events.

Because of their amazing noses, Bassets are often very interested in the world around them – particularly the outside world. This breed needs a fenced yard to keep them from following their noses off your property and down the block! You cannot fault their tendency to roam… after all, it was bred into them. But you must be prepared to accept this trait and keep them safe – thus, have a solid fence and keep it locked! If you own a pool, that must also securely fenced to prevent the dog from jumping in and possibly drowning.

Another less than desirable trait of the breed is their propensity for howling… and it can be loud! They can also be droolers. These particular traits must be taken into consideration by anyone considering buying a Basset. All in all, however, most people think that they have many more good qualities than bad!

The Sussex Spaniel

The Sussex Spaniel is a very old hunting breed… in fact, it is one of the first breeds ever recognized by the AKC! That said, their popularity is quite low as not many people know about this wonderful breed. To those who own one, however, they would not want any other type of dog.

They are generally easygoing dogs, although some tend to become overprotective of their owners, especially if the owner lets the dog get away with whatever they want. Obedience training from puppyhood helps to curb this problem. Sussex Spaniels are not generally recommended for families with small children, however older kids are fine.

As evidenced by their jowl-y faces, this is a breed that drools, certainly a trait that someone thinking about getting a Sussex should know about. The breed is also known for being picky eaters. One day, they love their food and the next day, they suddenly seem to hate it. Other bad habits can include general destructiveness, particularly from bored dogs. Once again, training can help with this problem, as well as providing adequate mental stimulation in the form of hunting, obedience, agility, therapy, rally and/or tracking.

There are many traits which make the Sussex a great dog to own. They are loyal, faithful dogs who love to stay by their owner’s side whenever possible. They are fairly inactive when compared to other spaniels and don’t require as much exercise as most other hunting dogs. They are great traveling companions in the car, as long as care is taken to not let them overheat. And finally, many Sussex make grumbling and grunting noises, which can be endearing!

When it comes to obedience training, it is important to note that these dogs can be strong-willed and stubborn. Do not give in just because they “tell you” that they don’t feel like training that day. Changing up the order of commands and adding fun games to the training can help convince some individuals that obedience is fun.

“Sussex spaniel t43” by Pleple2000

The Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a powerful spitz breed, once utilized to pull heavy cargo across snowy terrain. Although many Malamutes would work together as a team, the handlers and owners were always very aware of which dogs to keep together and which dogs to keep apart. Unaltered males, in particular, tend to not get along well with each other. Spitz breeds in particular tend to have an “extra sense” of pack hierarchy. This is because they are older, more primitive breeds. Don’t let the word primitive fool you however, as this does not mean that they are unintelligent in any way. On the contrary, they tend to be self-confident, willful, and very smart…. they tend to “train” their owners instead of the other way around! Because this is such a powerful breed with an independent mind, care must be taken so that they do not try to dominate you or other members of your family. This is NOT the breed for a first-time dog owner!

This is not to say that these dogs are not affectionate and friendly, because they definitely are. They are not guard dogs and they aren’t normally aggressive. There is a big difference between dominance and outright aggression, and someone who is interested in the breed would do well to learn the difference and raise them right so that they know their rightful place in the pack (your family). This does not mean you need to use harsh methods or “tear them down”, but simply to establish firm rules and boundaries. A Malamute, like any dog, who knows their place in the pack is a happy and well adjusted member of the family. Obedience training is recommended at a young age for this breed, before they begin to get too big to handle! Also realize that many adolescents go through a “testing phase”, almost like teenage rebellion. It is important to work through this stage with firmness and fairness. This stage doesn’t last forever, but must be handled in the right way in order to maintain a stable dog.

Malamutes have a few other traits that may be undesirable to some. Many, when bored, will howl like wolves for hours, chew up your furniture, or dig huge craters in your yard. This means that they are not being given either enough exercise or mental stimulation. These dogs definitely need a lot of excursive! A short walk around the block will not suffice, they need long jogs once or twice daily in order to fulfill their needs. Not only that, but they were designed to do jobs and they still need to do jobs today. Some of the jobs in which they excel include backpacking, sledding, carting, and weight pull although obedience is always also recommended. Many owners have fun with their dogs in conformation shows, agility, rally, canine freestyle, therapy work, and flyball! There are so many fun dog sports that you can be successful with your Malamute!

They are also not great dogs to keep off-leash unless very well trained (and even when well trained, you are always still taking a gamble). Many have a high prey drive and tend to take off after cats and wildlife. Once they start running, they will keep on running because they were bred to run in one direction for hundreds of miles! Because they have no car sense, many get hit by cars. Not only are leashes highly recommended, but sturdy fences as well. Unlike many other breeds, many Malamutes can do well as mostly-outdoor dogs although they still require the exercise and mental stimulation as mentioned above. Even if they live mostly outdoors, they still require affection and care. Many do best while living both indoors and outdoors, with a dog door so that they can choose whether to be in or out.

Let me reiterate that they have a high prey drive! While some live harmoniously inside the house with cats, these are usually individuals raised with that cat as a young puppy, and even that does not guarantee the cat’s safety. That same cat… who he has lived with for years… may or may not be considered food if the cat is outside. Many cannot be trusted with small animals at all, and some cannot be trusted with tiny dogs either. Socialization always helps but a Malamute owner must be careful at all times with smaller animals. The reason for this is that the breed had to be very resourceful while living in the Arctic, and the chase-kill instinct had to be strong in order for them to find meals.

Their coats can require a lot of care when they are shedding, which normally happens twice a year. Be prepared to brush and brush and brush… and don’t be surprised if you have tumbleweeds of dog hair floating throughout your house. Those that love the breed think nothing of this, and brushing can be a great bonding experience with your dog!

“Alaskanmalamute0b” by PardoY

The Giant Schnauzer

The Giant Schnauzer is an active, large working breed that is not generally suited for first-time dog owners. He can be deeply territorial and protective of his owner, and thus must be raised and socialized by someone who is aware of this trait, and who can keep it in check. For although he can be an outstanding guard dog, all members of the family must also be able to control him.

He is a very intelligent dog that is quite sensitive to the emotions of his family. The Giant is generally considered very responsive to obedience training, and can be a formidable worker for those willing to devote the time to training him. A well-trained Giant is a loyal companion of the highest caliber, while still keeping a generally serious demeanor. Some members of the breed can have a stubborn streak, so knowing the correct way to work him through his “stubbornness” is ideal.

Grooming is another area of concern that must be taken care of on a regular basis. His coat needs a lot of care in order for him to look his best, but a Giant Schnauzer fully groomed is a breathtaking sight!

“GiantSchnauzer Grass” by Paul Kounine (mischivo)

This breed definitely benefits from plenty of exercise, as many have quite a lot of energy! Be prepared to give him the outlets that he needs, and not only physical exercise, but mental as well. Because of their working background, this breed absolutely needs a job to do whether it is formal obedience, herding, agility, hunting, protection training or one of the many other activities in which he can excel. Working with him at least once a day is a necessity for his mental wellbeing. If this is not done and he becomes bored, he can become rather unruly and sometimes destructive.

The Tibetan Terrier

Tibetan Terriers are fun-loving dogs that love to play! They do not have the typical “small dog” temperament despite the fact that they are small, and are instead referred to as “large dogs in a small dog’s body”. Part of the reason for this is because they are very athletic and much more willing to go out and participate in activities than some of their same-sized counterparts.

That said, Tibetan Terriers are not neurotic or obsessive about exercise and can still be quite calm in the house. Many Tibetan Terriers adapt to how their own family lives, whether it be slightly more on the sedentary side, or on the active side. This means that they can be a great lap dog just as much as they can be a fun hiking buddy! Many also do well in obedience competitions as well as agility, conformation, flyball, rally, tracking, and therapy work. However, do not expect to just throw your dog into the backyard and not pay attention to him. While they are very adaptible, they are not adaptive to being outside-only dogs.

They make fantastic family dogs and are loving and loyal to those they consider part of their pack. They can be good with children, but are not recommended for very young kids without good “dog manners”. Many stay in sync with the emotions of their owners, offering extra support when you’re having a bad day. They can show some shyness to strangers when first introduced, with a few being protective of their owner.

This breed is not for the novice dog owner.Tibetan Terriers can be difficult to housebreak, sometimes mouthy, and tend to bark freely. Some Tibetan Terriers suffer from separation anxiety, so should be taught from a young age that being alone isn’t a bad thing. Some can be destructive if bored. Their adaptable feet, developed from life in the mountains of Tibet, are talented at opening doors, pulling items off the counter, opening containers, climbing onto furniture, and unlatching gates! Many are escape artists.

Tibetan Terriers are very intelligent dogs… sometimes almost too intelligent. They can learn to manipulate their owners so it’s good to always be one step ahead! It is for this reason that obedience training is recommended, as well as a healthy sense of humor since the breed can be independent and stubborn at times. They learn well with plenty of praise.

The Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz has been called the “barking bird dog” because he was bred to alert hunters to their quarry with his unique voice. Because of this, prospective owners should know that barking is a trait in the breed that is not easily trained out. Not only will he bark to tell you the latest happenings in your backyard, but he will also often sound the alarm whenever the doorbell rings. While this makes him a great watchdog, it also makes him a good fit only for those who are not bothered by constant noise (and without close neighbors). The “Finkie”, as he is affectionately called, is a watchdog only and not a guard dog. He has a lot of bark but very little bite.

Finnish Spitz are great with kids and therefore well suited as a family dog as long as the children are well-behaved and not unruly. Unsurprisingly, he also excells as a hunting dog since that is what he was bred to do! He is a faithful companion always eager to go out and have fun with his owner(s). He is quite active and needs tasks and jobs in order to be fulfilled, however he is generally inactive indoors.

The Finkie can be a slow maturing breed, so expect him to act puppy-ish for a while. This can be either a curse or a blessing, depending on how you look at it. Either way he is intelligent, independent, and sensitive.

Unlike many spitz breeds, he has a relatively short coat so he can do well in warmer weather, although it is important to keep his double coat brushed out so the air can circulate through to his skin.

When it comes to training, he responds well to plenty of praise and short sessions which keep his attention. The order of obedience commands should always be mixed up so that he doesn’t get bored and so that he is always guessing what comes next! Patience in training is also recommended as he can, at times, be hard-headed.

The Swedish Vallhund

The Swedish Vallhund is an enthusiastic, yet stable little herding breed. Like most herding dogs, they have an abundance of energy and must have an outlet in order to dispel it. Luckily, because of their short stature, a jog will go a long way toward working off that energy. Even still, your Vallhund would appreciate a job to do that will work his mind as well as his body. Obedience is a great task for this, as well as herding and/or agility. You will appreciate that he is a fast learner, which makes teaching him new tasks a lot of fun!

Because the Vallhund is such an intelligent dog, he may make up his own “games”. Those games may or may not be things you actually want him to do (AKA: excessive barking or general destructiveness) so be prepared to enforce the house rules. Consistency is key. The Swedish Vallhund has a spitz background, meaning that some of his ancestors were quite independent and stubborn. All the more reason why it is important to teach him your house rules from a young age.

Another thing to be aware of is his fondness for herding everything that he can – whether it be you, your children, or your other pets. He may try to do this by nipping. This is a common herding breed trait, and must be managed through obedience.

Often alert, many make good watchdogs for the home and will “sound the alarm” whenever people come near. That said, Vallhunds are friendly to those who are introduced to them. Many love meeting new people!

“Västgötaspetsar” by Sören T Eriksson

The English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel is generally an eager-to-please little dog, a trait he shares with many other breeds of the sporting group. He is often quite affectionate to those that he knows well but may be slightly more reserved with strangers.

Most English Cockers are very energetic and intelligent… several qualities that make him a natural at training, but if left unchecked might cause him to display behavioral issues such as barking or digging. English Cockers make loyal family dogs, and are usually good with children. Often happy, their tails tend to wag a good deal of the time!

Many are happiest when they have a job to do, especially if they are doing that job with their owner. As such, they are quite a versatile breed, excelling as hunters as well as in the obedience ring, tracking, agility, fly-ball, and therapy work. Of course, they also enjoy just “hanging out” with their family, as long as they are given adequate exercise and attention.They are definitely not “outdoor only” dogs, they need to be inside with their family.

There exist two strains within the breed – “working” and “show”. Dogs from working lines generally are more active and can be a handful for those who are not able to provide an outlet for that energy. Obedience training is especially helpful for working lines, as it helps to keep their busy brains occupied, although they still need the physical outlets as well. When it comes to training, English Cockers are quick learners but are often very sensitive to particular training methods. I have found that they work best with lots of praise and encouragement.