2008 Woodie Awards
Hounding down your perfect pooch
Finding the right dog for your personality, lifestyle
By: Linda Overly
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So you've thought about it, and you're ready to commit. You've imagined the cool things you'll do together and the fun places you'll go. It will be the perfect relationship. You'll never be wrong, and you won't have to spend a Saturday night alone on the couch. You're finally ready to settle down and be entirely faithful- to one dog that is.
Choosing the right dog is an important decision. Just as with any long-term relationship, compatibility between an owner and a dog is a key ingredient to a happy and healthy union. In other words, before you take home that adorable little German shepard that caught your eye last week, make sure the pup will match your personality and lifestyle.
Lynda Pierce of Chico has been a dog trainer for more than 20 years. She said most people will fall in love with almost any puppy, so she recommends spending time with different adult dogs to know what to expect in the future.
"Look at how the dogs interact with others dogs, their owners and other people," Pierce said. "If you're a jogger, look for a breed with stamina. If you want a house dog, look for a dog that will do well in confinement."
As a confirmation of the importance of pairing a dog with a
well-suited owner, Murillo explained the difficulty of finding a home
for Chiquita, one of Tori's wild little pups.
"I wouldn't sell her to just anybody. The world was not ready for
this puppy," she said. "Luckily there was a fella from New York who
wanted a high-energy dog. He's happier than a log with her. It was
a really good match."
Murillo also said a person should consider the time, space and
financial needs of a specific breed, and avoid buying a dog based
on superficial traits, such as good looks.
Well, it's a good thing that the dog pool isn't quite as complex as
the dating pool these days.
Another way to track down your ideal canine is to use the
interactive breed selector at www.purina.com, or check out www.poochpicker.com, and get matched with a
dog through a personality quiz of
strengths and weaknesses.
Other stories in this series: