Dog Breeds and Temperaments

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG
The Australian Cattle Dog is rather aloof with strangers, but to its owner it is eternally loyal, gentle alert and can be easily trained. They are bright and intelligent dogs, ready to defend its master and property at all times. They are very tough, hardy, and generally fredd of any ajor hereditary defects. They make excellent companions and popular as pets, but require a definite amount of physical and mental exercise for their own well-being.

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD
Loyalty, courage and an easygoing nature characterize the Australian Shepherd's temperament. They do well with children, as they adore playing and goofing around. The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, medium-sized dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is also a delightful and loyal companion and a great family dog. He loves to be part of the daily hustle and bustle, and enjoys riding in the vehicle just to be with his beloved master.  He is easy to train, easy to housebreak, and eager to please. Aussies have been used as seeing-eye dogs, as utility dogs to the physically handicapped, hearing aid dogs, police and narcotics dogs and search and rescue dogs. In the northern areas they have also been used as sled dogs. Many go with their masters as volunteers to children's homes and nursing homes to do therapy work. Truly, the Australian Shepherd is a highly versatile dog. The Aussie (as he is lovingly nicknamed) is a very active dog that needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis to prevent him from become bored or frustrated and developing destructive habits. Because of their high energy level, combined with high intelligence, Aussies need to be given a "job" to perform, be it shepherding the children, protecting the house, herding livestock or competing in dog events.  One of the most frequent reasons Aussies are turned over to rescue groups is because their owners didn't realize how much energy the breed has, and weren't willing to channel that energy through training. Aussies are also quite demanding of their owners' time and attention and want to be constantly with them, following them from room to room in the house, and going along in the car or truck on errands. They can be highly territorial and protective of their masters' possessions, which can cause serious difficulties unless controlled with proper training.

BASSETT HOUND
The Basset is easy to take care of, requires little grooming, and is generally placid. The Basset has a rich baying bark. The Basset needs plenty of exercise. It is best suited to a home where it can enjoy open spaces and keep itself occupied in a natural environment.

BEAGLE
The Beagle is amiable and alert; they are able to cope with any situation and never ill-adjusted.  It is an ideal family dog and the perfect children's companion.  A Beagle will join in the most boisterous of games, and enjoy any amount of exercise, remaining tolerant and placid no matter what childish indignities are leveled against it.  Although not developed as a guard dog, and lacking any aggressive tendencies, it will nonetheless fulfill the role of home protector in that it will soon let its owners know of the presence of strangers, with its unique "baying" bark.

BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND
The Black and Tan Coonhound makes a good family dog and enjoys long walks with children. It is very steady in temperament and has been bred as a companion as well as a hunter for many generations.  They are intelligent, loyal, good-natured and quick to learn. However, they tend to stray and need a good safe area in which to exercise and close supervision when out walking. They are alert, eager, passionate about whatever they are doing and usually obedient to his master's commands. They play hard and are best with older children. Black and Tans are relatively inactive indoors, but require lots of daily exercise.

BORDER COLLIE
The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent of all dog breeds, it learns quickly and enjoys a challenge. It demonstrates a loyal and faithful nature.

BOXER
Boxers will adapt to virtually any home environment, provided thy have company..  They mix freely with other dogs and children and can live happily in an urban home if they get enough regular exercise.

CORGI
The corgi is obedient, easily disciplined, and an affectionate dog.

CHIHUAHUA
Chihuahuas are wonderful house dogs because they are tiny, yet hardy and smart. They do feel the cold and must have a warm draft-free environment. Chihuahuas loves those that it knows, and can be a sharp and noisy watchdog, not realizing that its size cannot back up its threats. As this is such a small breed, it is not suitable as a pet for young or boisterous children. Care should be taken if it is kept with larger dogs because jealousies may arise—and the Chihuahua would hardly be able to put up a fair fight.

CHINESE SHAR-PEI
Devoted and loyal to their family. Reserved with strangers. Very intelligent, but can be willful. Regal and aloof. Dignified. Sober. Calm and confident. A breed with strong natural guarding instincts, the Shar-Pei must be properly socialized or can become quite aggressive. Many have CD and CDX obedience titles. Firm, positive and motivational training is needed. They become bored easily with prolonged repetition; strive for variety and fun in training. The horse coat variety is generally more dominant, more dog-aggressive and less friendly with strangers than the milder-mannered brush coat variety.

The Chinese Shar-Pei is usually good with children, reserved with strangers, are easy to train, moderately dependent on people, are good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood, but can be fairly dog aggressive. 

DALMATIAN
Dalmatians need to be part of the family. They want to sleep in your bedroom, follow you from room to room as you move about the house, and spend all their time in your company. They are extremely devoted and but without proper socialization and training can become territorial. Nothing can match the look of adoration in a Dalmatian's eye when he looks lovingly at his human. Their short coat is not much protection against the cold so they cannot be left outside without access to a warm area. A doggy door from the utility room to the yard is ideal. Dalmatians do not do well as backyard or kennel dogs. Being separated from the people they love is very stressful for them.

DOBERMAN
The Doberman has the reputation of being a very aggressive dog, this is just not the case. For example, Dobes make great therapy dogs. They are sweet and gentle with nursing-home patients - tippy-toeing over IV tubing and walking at the resident's speed (which can be very slow), while at the same time will fiercely defend his master if it becomes necessary. These dogs are like big, protective babies. Doberman Pinschers have many talents including tracking, watchdogging, guarding, police work, military work, search & rescue, therapy work, competitive obedience and schutzhund.  Dobermans vary greatly in temperament. Some are even very submissive. Some individuals are family dogs, and some bond only to one person. The Doberman  has been bred to work with man, and he needs this interaction often. They must be with family, and not abandoned to the backyard. England has banned the cropping of pup ears and the docking of their tails. Lately, many breeders have left their pups natural.  If left natural they develop ears somewhat like a hound.  If the tail is not docked it grows a tail somewhat like hound.  Versatile, highly intelligent and very easy to train. Determined, fearless and assertive, but not vicious. Noble, loyal and affectionate with the family. It likes to be physically close to the family members. Devoted and watchful, this is a very people oriented breed. Mental stimulation is important for a truly well-adjusted and happy Dobe. Training should be through positive reinforcement.

FLAT COATED RETRIEVER 
The Flat-Coated is easy, outgoing and alert.  Its hallmark is a lively spirit, demonstrated by a head held up, eyes alight and a wagging tail. It craves human companionship, is very good with children and will be a friend to the entire family. 

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
The German Shepherd Dog’s service as guide dogs for the blind is legendary. Society asks them to undertake this task and many others only because they have a steady, solid temperament and consistent behavior. They should display aloofness and not out- and-out friendliness. As the Verein planned so may years ago, the German Shepherd Dog has developed into an excellent utility dog with a high degree of intelligence and dependability. Its quickness to learn, self-confidence and common sense make it a good utility breed to use.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Golden Retriever's are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Loyal, confident, sweet and eager to please. It is active, loving and an outstanding family dog. Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be fun. They excel in obedience competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to be around people to be happy. If isolated from human contact, or left alone for long periods of time, the Golden Retriever may become mischievous. They can be over-exuberant and distractible. Some of the Golden's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. These dogs also love to swim.

LABRADOR RETRIEVER - Black Lab, Chocolate Lab, and Yellow Lab
The Labrador temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as any characteristic. It should be totally non-aggressive toward man or beast. It is intelligent, genial and gregarious. The "girls" when not tending puppies of their own make wonderful "aunties" and the "boys" make wonderful "troop leaders." They also make wonderful baby-sitters for children of all ages. In groups they have a tendency to play hard. Special talents in this breed include: hunting, tracking, retrieving, watchdogging, police work, guide for the blind, service dog for the disabled, search and rescue, agility, and competitive obedience. They make wonderful family companions. 

MINIATURE PINSCHER
The Miniature Pinscher is intelligent, very active, hardy, demanding, proud, brave and stubborn. Can be dog-aggressive. May become a tyrant if spoiled. Sensitive to extreme cold. Likes to bark. Dominant personality. Needs an owner who knows how to display leadership.

PAPILLON
The Papillon is a friendly, intelligent dog that is tougher than it looks, and loves outdoor exercise. A gentle and affectionate dog, lively, vivacious and charming. Playful and amusing but can also be calm, patient, gentle and dignified. Steady and silent. Loves to be cuddled but also likes to romp outdoors. It may be very possessive of its owner and resent outsiders. They are steady, obedient and are not yappers. Papillons can be trained to perform small tricks. They can be difficult to housebreak, but are in general easy to train otherwise. Papillons do best with older, considerate children. They can be a bit dog-aggressive. Good with cats when they are raised with them from puppy hood.

PHALENE
A Phalene is essentially a Papillon  with soft of flop ears. 

ROTTWEILER
A Rottweiler of proper temperament is a fabulous family dog. By nature they love children and tolerate their unending demands cheerfully. They are good natured, will tolerate all manner of pets with one exception-two unneutered males can never be trusted to get along. A Rottweiler is not the fastest learner, but it is the most thorough though, so that once it has learned a lesson it never forgets it and there is no facet of a challenge that it does not grasp.

SIBERIAN HUSKY
Siberian Huskies are gentle and playful dogs. Huskies are cheerful, very fond of his/her family, good with children and friendly with strangers. They are not watchdogs, for they bark little and love everyone. They are clever, sociable and loving, easy-going and docile, but can be willful and mischievous. Huskies are very intelligent and trainable. Training takes patience and consistency. Huskies make an excellent jogging companion, as long as it is not too hot. They do not like to be left alone, so if this is the breed for you, you may want to consider having two. Huskies are thrifty eaters needing less food than you might expect. Siberian Huskies can make wonderful companions for people who are aware of what to expect from these beautiful and intelligent animals.

SILKY TERRIER
The Silky Terrier combines the glamour and size of a Toy dog with the character and spirited action of a terrier. The Silky requires regular bathing and brushing to give its coat the desired silky look. The Silky is a real family dog, a keen watchdog, very obedient and a very adept pupil. It is wary of strangers until they are approved by a member of its family, after which it will immediately accept them. As a house dog it is very easily trained and scrupulously clean. Its loyalty, coupled with a great sense of humor, affection and gentleness make it an asset to any home.

STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
The Staffordshire Terrier has unique qualities: its reputation purely as a tough guy is deceptive, for when at home it makes a great nurse for children. It will generally tolerate any amount of mauling, never tires of games and awaits the next move of a child with patience and a continual wag of its tail. A rough diamond it may be, but for all that it is a diamond-a wonderful addition to any household.

TERRIERS
Terriers tend to make the most of any situation in which they might find themselves; they are remarkably self-reliant and will contrive to make the best of a home whether in a city apartment or a country mansion. They equable nature makes them ideal as family pets-they are as much at home by the fireside as on a long country walk.

TREEING COONHOUND
The Treeing Coonhound is good with children and gets along with other dogs. Training is accomplished with little trouble, as these dogs are able to learn from example. They make a great companion dog and are eager to please.  They thrive on ample attention and being with people.  The Tree Walker is intelligent, skilled and confident. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is not recommended for apartment life. These scent-hounds are too anxious to lie idly around a suburban home or condo. The Treeing is an easy care breed. An occasional combing and brushing is all that is needed. 

YORKSHIRE TERRIER - "Yorkie"
Despite its diminutive size, the Yorkie is still very much a terrier at heart and game to the last. To this day the breed never ceases to amaze its owners with its prowess as a killer of small rodents. Brave and spirited, the Yorkie should at all times be even tempered, making it an ideal companion breed.
The Yorkie is easily trained in basic Obedience routines and some have been known to prove their worth as keen Agility dogs too. One of the breed's major characteristics is its full and flowing coat, and so this is not the breed for the faint-hearted. Grooming must take place each day - and it is a time consuming process, and their teeth should be regularly.