What's in a breed?

MANILA, Philippines - Our lifestyles actually clue us in on which dog breeds we are likely to get along with more.

 “One of the major factors to keep in mind when choosing your pet is your lifestyle,” says Jojo Isorena of Better Dog Canine Behavior Center. “Don’t choose a dog just because it’s cute or seems well-behaved. Each breed comes with certain traits that may or may not fit in with your particular lifestyle.”

You can classify dogs into two general types: the active dog and the passive dog. “If you are the athletic type — meaning you like outdoor activities or enjoy sports — you’d probably get along with a more active dog. These include sporting breeds like Labrador retrievers, Jack Russell terriers, Golden Retrievers and Beagles.”

Isorena warns that active dogs can be a handful and may not always make good family dogs. “Active dogs really like to run and require ample space to do that. This means that you should have a yard or at least access to an open area or nearby park.

For condo dwellers and non-active families, Isorena recommends the more passive dog breeds, such as the Shihtzu, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, and Maltese.

“Get a dog whose grooming requirements you can meet. A furry dog, for example, will need daily brushing or combing and will require more time for drying after baths.” You should also be aware that all dogs shed dander (small flakes of dead skin), a serious cause of allergies. There is no such thing as a 100 percent hypoallergenic dog, so Isorena says that you should check if family members are prone to or have dog allergies.  

 “Above all the other considerations, know the history of the dog breed you’re considering,” he says. “This helps you understand what that particular breed was really designed for, how it was wired.

“Choosing a breed to match your lifestyle is the easy part. The hardest is to ask yourself, ‘Do I have time for a dog?’ There is no such thing as a dog for a busy person. Canines, no matter what breed, need attention and caring as much as humans do. So if you’re rarely at home, to the extent that you’ll probably have to hire a dog-sitter to care for your pet, there’s really no point getting one.”

Jojo Isorena is a certified canine training and behavior specialist. He coaches owners in building better relationships with their dogs at Better Dog Canine Behavior Center, located at Karrivin Plaza Building C, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. For inquiries or more details, contact 886-5918, e-mail betterdog@me.com, or log on to www.betterdog.co.ph.