I once lived in an apartment in New York City next to a family that had a Every day, the dog was left alone for ten hours or more. And all day into the evening, that poor dog cried and howled, hour after hour after hour.
I knocked on the door one evening and offered to walk the dog, but I was turned down. Even on weekends, the dog would get a short walk and then be left alone inside for the rest of the day. Listening to that dog, I heard suffering, frustration, and eventually, I heard this terrible, high-pitched keening—the sound of hopelessness. It broke my heart.
When I did some quick online research, I read that Huskies are bred to pull sleds, running for hours and hours every day. According to the American Kennel Club, the was “developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses.” They are pack dogs, who “enjoy family life and get on well with other dogs,” and are so energetic that securing a place for the dog to run “is a must.”
The Husky howling in distress was not a bad dog—but he was the wrong breed for that family’s lifestyle.
While there is no foolproof way to know for certain that the dog you are considering bringing home will be compatible with you, a successful match mostly depends on you, and your willingness to:
Do the necessary breed research and learn about dog behavior, body language, and innate traits and needs
Be adaptable if your dog isn’t “perfect” or develops traits you weren’t expecting
Be honest with yourself about your lifestyle and ability to meet your dog’s needs (such as a Border Collie’s need for lots of exercise)
Here’s how to narrow down your search for your dream dog for the best possible chance of mutual happiness.
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Set Yourself (and Your Dog) Up for Success With Research
If you decide to buy a look at breeds that will fit your lifestyle. Puppies are adorable, but keep in mind that the appearance of the dog is pretty much the last factor that will influence how compatible they are for you and your family. Instead, consider factors such as typical behavioral traits, potential genetic health issues for that breed, and the financial aspect of veterinary care across the life of that breed.
All dogs are individuals. Breed is a good starting point for predicting what a dog might be like, but you need to be ready to let go of that preconception pretty quickly.
“It is best to set yourself up for success by choosing a dog breed that will likely align with your planned lifestyle,” says Dr. Emma K. Grigg, a Lecturer and Research Associate at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. She recommends weighing factors such as the size of the dog as an adult, potential genetic behavior traits, and the amount of exercise, grooming, and training the dog will need.
“Choosing a dog that doesn’t fit your lifestyle often results in dissatisfaction with the relationship and can lead to stress and behavioral issues in the dog,” Grigg says.
If you’re thinking of adopting from your local Humane Society, specific breed information can be a little harder to come by. However, some shelters and rescues such as the more than 100 organizations that partner with dog genetic test company,may have it available to prospective adopters, and you can ask your local shelter if they offer those types of services.
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Understand Each Dog Is Unique Regardless of Breed
Regardless of what you are able to find out about or already know a dog’s genetic makeup, Grigg notes that responsible adopters should be prepared for their dog to have their own unique personality that will develop as they grow.
“Breed is a good starting point for predicting what a dog might be like, but you need to be ready to let go of that preconception pretty quickly, because all dogs are individuals!”
A dog’s breed is not a guarantee of what their behavior will be like.
Evan MacLean, Director of the Arizona Canine Cognition Center at the University of Arizona, underscores this point. “There is a range of behaviors that on average, will differ across breeds. But the key thing to know here is that
So, if you want a dog who lives for a game of fetch, some breeds, like are more likely, to love chasing a ball. “You can think of choosing a dog from a given breed as increasing or decreasing the likelihood that the dog will be predisposed to engage in those behaviors, not a guarantee that this will be the case.
“If you’re looking for a dog with a relaxed temperament who will be happy being a couch potato, a high-energy is unlikely to be a good fit. There will always be exceptions to these broad patterns, but prospective pet owners can make reasonably informed decisions by looking at the scientific data on what breed-average behavior tends to be like,” says MacLean.
Behavior becomes harder to predict in mixed or designer breeds, where genes interact.
“If you cross a Golden Retriever with a Labrador Retriever and a Flat-Coated Retriever, you’re probably going to get dog who likes to retrieve,” explains says Distinguished Investigator at the Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, you may or may not get a dog who wants everyone to love them like the Golden Retriever, or a dog who lives to swim like the Labrador Retriever, or a dog who needs tons of exercise like the Flat-Coated Retriever.
