Purebred Dogs: Choosing the Right Breed for Your Family

Purebred dogs are becoming more popular every year. Buying a dog that is a purebred is sometimes quite stressful. That is why contacting the AKC (American Kennel Club) for the name of a reputable dog breeder is always a smart start, along with researching the prospective breeds that you are considering.

Acquiring a dog that is registered does have its advantages. Dogs that are registered with the AKC are eligible to participate in the over 16,000 events offered each year by the AKC and its affiliated clubs.

The AKC was created on September 17, 1884 and its main objective is to see that strict standards for breeding are kept in place to insure the most pure bloodlines.

When purchasing a purebred dog the prospective owner should address certain questions to ensure that the breed chosen is right for his or her situation. Some of these questions are:

If children are present-will this dog get along with children?

Is this dog going to be an inside dog or is it going to spend the majority of its time outside?

Do I want a dog that is playful or more reserved?

Do I want a dog with a short coat or a long coat? (A short coat is easier to maintain. A long coat requires frequent washing and brushing. Shedding is also a factor with breeds that have long coats.)

Do I want a dog from the Toy Class of breeds or from a larger class? (Size is an important issue if you are choosing a dog to stand guard over your home and family.)

It is virtually impossible to list all of the breeds available today and their characteristics such as temperament and size, there are simply too many. Here are few breeds from some of the groups of dogs available:

Toy Group 

The Toy Group is the smallest of the pure bred classes. Toy dogs are some of the most beautiful and well-tempered dogs available. This class includes breeds such as the Pekingese, Shitzu, Maltese, and the Bichon Frise. When selecting a dog from this class be sure to choose the one that is appropriate for your situation, some require less grooming than others, such as the Shih Tzu.

Some excellent breeds to consider from the Toy group are: