URBAN ANIMAL: Each dog is different

Dear Readers,

A long-time reader of UrbanAnimal emailed recently to ask if I'd watched the annual Westminster Dog Show, televised from New York, in February. And, if I did, could I suggest the right breed for her? Or should she get a mixed breed?

Dog lovers adore watching those gorgeous canines strut their stuff at Westminster. We love to root for our favourites and dream of living with one of those magical creatures.

The most common reason for choosing a purebred dog is the expectation of certain attributes.

Westminster is certainly the place to see the best of the best in terms of physical appearance as it applies to breed standard, and it's a wonderful opportunity to view all kinds of breeds we may have overlooked while researching dog types.

But it's best to consider dog shows as just one step on a long journey to find the puppy of our dreams.

Purebred dogs offer specific appearance and personality.

A Newfoundland dog, for instance, will be extra-large in size, possess a gentle disposition and a real affinity for swimming. A Jack Russell terrier, on the other paw, will display his heritage with a small and athletic body, an energetic disposition and a fondness for digging.

It's important to remember, however, these standards are only guidelines. Much depends on breeder adherence to those standards as well as the owner's commitment to continuing the process.

There are Newfoundland dogs whose dispositions are less than gentle, and some prefer dry land to water. There are Jack Russells who would choose to snooze over a long hike, and some prefer chasing a tennis ball to digging for vermin.

To avoid unwanted surprises, first-time dog owners are wise to choose a purebred dog from a breeder whose lines show a concerted effort to breed as closely to standard as possible.

If the Newfoundland pup comes from a line of dogs that are gentle and love to swim, you're in business. Ditto for the Jack Russell line that generates energetic diggers. Many people choose a mixed-breed dog because they like the idea of having a dog who is a wonderful surprise package.

Within each mixed breed can be two or more purebreds.

For example, a cocker Spaniel/poodle-mix (cocka-poo), will display traits of these two popular breeds. When researching this, study both cocker Spaniel and poodle for inherent traits.

Dogs that are a marvelous mix of ancestry are often impossible to identify beyond two or possibly three breeds. A Siberian husky/old English sheepdog/Labrador retriever-mix may have a husky's blue eyes, a sheepdog's coat and a Lab's love of water. Or a luxurious husky tail, a sheepdog's square body and a Lab's sociable nature. A mixed-breed will be a scintillating combo of any obvious breed types, plus any other breed that entered that particular gene pool.

Many veterinarians agree mixed breeds enjoy hybrid vigour. It's the mix of genes that helps eliminate specific health issues that may be inherent in a purebred dog.

Should our reader choose a purebred dog? My best suggestion is to choose several types whose attributes match those that are most appealing. Do you like that particular dog's appearance and temperament? Will he or she be most suitable to your lifestyle? Ask for more information and recommendations from people who own those particular breeds as well as veterinarians, groomers, breeders and professional dog trainers.

Or should you choose a mixed breed? If you like the appearance of a particular purebred dog, but with the personality traits of another, look for a dog whose gene pool includes both those breed types.

Whether purebred or mixed, be prepared for any number of characteristics you weren't expecting. Each dog, just like each human, is an individual.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion that you'd like to submit to UrbanAnimal.