How to Choose a Great Dog

October is "Adopt a Dog Month". For anyone considering adoption, I commend you. We have had almost entirely adopted mutts in our home for over 35 years. I like that adopting offers diversity, the opportunity to save a life, and the ability to choose a dog beyond puppyhood (with a more developed personality).

We've always had the pleasure of having 2 or more dogs in our home at any given time. Every few years, when it's time to bring a new dog into the mix, I generally spend a great deal of time looking for our next family member. As a trainer, I wanted to share some of the qualities I look for when choosing a new dog. Of course, each owner's priorities will vary...

1) Many years ago I was speaking with a trainer. He said the most important quality he looked for when training a dog, was the dog's desire to please (its owner). Over the past many years as I have selected dogs to adopt, that thought was always first and foremost in my mind.

2) Friendly! Just like people, some dogs are more social than others. Having a dog that gets along well with people and other pets is something that is important for most. Taking any potential adoptee out for a brief walk can give insight into this aspect of a dog's personality.

3) Confidence. Like most things in life, balance is what I want here. Having a nervous or skittish dog can pose a lot of challenges in daily life. Having an overbearing dog can pose the same. The more confident the better, as long as item #1 is in play.

4) Energy level. This may vary a lot with different owners, but it's certainly an item that should be considered and assessed. Again, a quick walk can tell you a lot about a dog's energy levels. Hyper dogs pull a lot, more laid back dog's don't. It's not that one is bad or one is good, but a dog's energy level should be a good match for your activity level.

5) Conformation. Many folks adopt or choose a dog on looks, but aren't looking at everything. How a dog is shaped, joint and skeletal alignments, teeth, ears, coat, etc. Close observation and/or inspection of all of these items can tell you a lot about possible health items. There are many online resources and articles offering more details.

6) Learning ability. Many owners believe smart dogs are easier to train. That may be true, but smart dogs can also come up with a lot of challenging behaviors along the way. For me, I do want a dog that has some "smarts", but it isn't a top priority because all dogs can learn.

There may be other items of importance to particular owners - age, size, sex, etc. The top 4 in the list above are all personality qualities. I've argued for years that personality is THE most important thing to assess when choosing a dog. Adopting a new dog is a commitment, and one you'll have for many years. Spending a little time with potential candidates can reveal a great deal of useful information if you observe closely. Using your head more than your heart can go a long way to finding a best match.