01/10/2026

Before You Fall for the Breed

A dog is a dog, right?

As long as they are fed, walked, trained and loved, surely the breed cannot make that much difference?

Unfortunately, it is not quite that simple.

Dogs may all share the same basic needs, but different breeds have spent generations being selectively bred for very different purposes. Those instincts do not simply disappear because the dog now lives in a family home rather than working, hunting, guarding or running for miles.

Sometimes we fall in love with a breed after meeting one particular dog.

They may have been calm, friendly, beautifully behaved and easy to be around. What we may not have seen is their age, their individual personality or the years of training, consistency and work that helped them become that dog.

We meet the finished version.

We do not always see the puppy biting, adolescence, setbacks, training sessions or the owner learning how to meet that dog’s needs along the way.

That does not mean you should be put off the breed. It simply means one lovely dog cannot represent every dog of that breed, and their behaviour may not have happened by accident.

Every dog is still an individual. Their experiences, training, health and environment all play a part.

However, breed traits still matter.

Before you fall in love with how a breed looks, or with one wonderful example you have met, take the time to understand the dog behind the breed. Learn about the instincts and typical traits you may be more likely to come across so that you can be prepared to guide them, meet their needs and enjoy living with the dog you choose.

A Dog Is Not Just a Dog

People sometimes talk about breeds as though their differences are mainly physical.

One dog is large. One is small. One has long hair. Another has a short coat.

However, the behavioural differences can be just as important.

A Cocker Spaniel was bred to search through cover, flush out birds and follow scent. That may appear as a dog that spends its walks constantly scanning, diving into bushes and following its nose rather than calmly walking beside its owner. Working-line Cockers in particular can be incredibly energetic, sensitive and intense.

Labradors and other retrievers were bred to find, carry and return game. Picking things up, carrying household items, using their mouths, searching and being highly motivated by food are not simply random quirks. They are closely linked to the job these breeds were developed to do.

A Dachshund may be small, but it was bred to hunt underground. They can be determined, vocal, independent and much braver than their size suggests. Small does not automatically mean easy, quiet or low maintenance.

A Greyhound was bred to spot and chase fast-moving animals. They may be wonderfully calm and relaxed inside the home, but some will still have a strong prey drive around cats, rabbits and smaller dogs.

A Husky was bred to run over long distances. They may have enormous stamina, a desire to roam and very little natural interest in staying close simply because their owner has called them.

The same principle applies across every breed.

Terriers were bred to pursue and kill vermin. Beagles were bred to follow scent with determination. Border Collies were bred to notice and control movement. German Shepherds were bred to remain watchful and capable of protection.

These behaviours are not random faults or signs that a dog has failed to become a good family pet.

They are part of what humans deliberately bred those dogs to do.

Training can guide instinct.

It does not erase it.

You cannot simply out-walk genetics.

Working Line or Show Line?

Dogs within the same breed can still be very different.

Working lines are generally bred more heavily for stamina, drive and the ability to perform a particular job.

Show lines may be bred more heavily for appearance and breed type, although they can still retain many of the instincts and characteristics associated with the breed.

Neither is automatically better, calmer or healthier.

However, a working-line Cocker Spaniel and a show-line Cocker Spaniel may have very different energy levels and working instincts, despite sharing the same breed name.

The same can apply to Labradors, German Shepherds, Border Collies and many other breeds.

For someone owning the breed for the first time, a show-line dog may sometimes be a more suitable choice than a dog bred specifically for intense working ability. However, this is not a guarantee, and temperament can still vary considerably between individual dogs and breeding lines.

Speak to owners of both working and show-line dogs and ask breeders what their dogs are bred for. Find out what their adult dogs are like to live with and what sort of homes their previous puppies have suited.

This will help you make an informed decision based on the type of dog you are likely to bring home, rather than choosing by breed name alone.

Pedigree, Crossbreed or Rescue?

There is no single right route to finding a dog.

A pedigree dog has a recorded family tree and belongs to a recognised breed. This can make traits such as size, coat type, appearance and breed instincts easier to predict, although every dog will still be an individual.

Crossbreeds can combine characteristics from two or more breeds. Some owners are drawn to them because they like qualities from both sides, but the result will not always be an exact halfway point.

A Labrador crossed with a Poodle, for example, may take after either parent in its size, coat, energy levels and temperament. The coat may shed, require regular professional grooming or fall somewhere between the two.

Understanding both breeds involved is therefore just as important as researching a pedigree dog.

A rescue dog may be a pedigree, a crossbreed or of unknown breeding.

Some rescues may already have experience of living in a home, while others may have little known history. An adult rescue also gives you the opportunity to see more of the dog’s finished size, coat and personality than you would with a young puppy.

Neither choosing a puppy nor adopting a rescue is automatically easier or better.

The right choice depends on the individual dog, what information is available and what will suit your home.

A responsible breeder or rescue should help you make that match rather than expecting every dog to suit every household.

Health, Coat and Ongoing Care

Choosing a breed also means considering the physical conditions it may be more likely to experience.

Certain features have become so common that people have started to accept them as normal.

That does not always mean they are healthy.

French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs can experience breathing difficulties linked to their shortened skull shape.

Noisy breathing is often described as normal for the breed, but dogs should be able to breathe freely, sleep comfortably, exercise without distress and regulate their body temperature.

Flat-faced breeds may also be more prone to spinal problems, eye injuries, skin-fold infections and difficulties giving birth naturally.

German Shepherds can be affected by hip and elbow dysplasia.

Dachshunds can be vulnerable to spinal problems because of their long backs and short legs.

Other breeds may be more prone to heart disease, epilepsy, eye conditions, skin problems or joint disease.

You do not need to memorise every possible condition.

You do need to find out which health tests are recommended for the breed and ask to see the actual results.

Coat care also deserves proper thought.

Short-haired dogs can still shed heavily.

Long-haired dogs may need frequent brushing.

Curly-coated dogs may shed less visibly but mat very easily.

A low-shedding coat is not the same as a low-maintenance coat.

Before choosing a dog, find out whether it will need professional grooming, how often it should be brushed and what that is likely to cost throughout its life.

Finding a Responsible Breeder

A responsible breeder should care where their puppies are going.

They should ask about your home, lifestyle, experience and what you want from a dog.

They should also be honest when they do not believe the breed, litter or a particular puppy is right for you.

You should be able to see the puppies with their mother in the place where they have been raised.

Ask to meet both parents where possible.

The father may belong to someone else and live elsewhere, which is not unusual, but the breeder should still be able to explain why he was chosen and provide information about his health and temperament.

Ask what both parents are like in everyday life, not only whether they appear friendly during your visit.

The breeder should be able to show you the relevant health-test results and explain what they mean.

It can also be helpful to ask whether you can speak to owners of dogs from previous litters.

This may give you an idea of how the puppies developed, whether any health or behavioural concerns appeared and whether the breeder remained supportive after they went home.

A good breeder should want you to make the right decision, even when that means deciding not to take one of their puppies.

Red Flags When Buying a Puppy

Walk away if something feels rushed, staged or inconsistent.

Be cautious if:

You cannot see the puppy with its mother
The seller wants to deliver the puppy or meet in a public place
Several different breeds or litters are constantly available
The breeder cannot explain the relevant health testing
They say the parents are healthy but cannot provide evidence
They focus heavily on unusual or rare colours
They claim the puppy is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic
They do not ask anything about your home or lifestyle
They pressure you to pay a deposit immediately
Every puppy is described as perfect for every type of home
They avoid discussing the more challenging traits of the breed
The puppies appear unwell, frightened or poorly cared for

Licensing?

Not every breeder will require a licence. In England, a licence is generally required when someone breeds three or more litters within a 12-month period and sells any of the puppies, or when they are breeding and advertising dogs as a business.

Licensed breeders must follow welfare conditions designed to protect the mother and her puppies. A licensed breeder must not allow a bitch to:

Be mated before she is 12 months old
Give birth to more than one litter within a 12-month period
Give birth to more than six litters during her lifetime
Be mated again after having two litters delivered by caesarean section

These limits can still be useful questions to ask any breeder, even when they are not required to hold a licence. A responsible breeder should be open about the mother’s age, how many litters she has had and whether she has previously needed a caesarean section.

All puppies must be microchipped and registered by the time they are eight weeks old. The breeder should be recorded as the puppy’s first keeper, with the details then transferred to the new owner.

Puppies must not be sold or permanently separated from their mother before they are eight weeks old.

Eight weeks is the legal minimum, not necessarily the age by which every puppy must leave. Some breeders may keep puppies until ten or twelve weeks, allowing them more time with their mother and littermates during an important stage of their social development.

However, the quality of those additional weeks matters. Puppies should also be receiving suitable handling and positive exposure to people, household sounds, different surfaces and everyday life.

Be cautious if a breeder:

Offers to release a puppy before eight weeks old
Has not arranged for the puppy to be microchipped
Asks you to register yourself as the puppy’s first keeper
Cannot clearly explain the puppy’s date of birth
Keeps puppies for longer but provides little appropriate socialisation

It can be very tempting to buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it.

However, paying the seller supports the breeding and allows the same situation to continue.

If you have serious concerns about the dogs’ welfare, report them rather than funding the breeder.

There will always be another litter.

You should never feel pressured to make the decision there and then.

Choosing the Puppy

Many people believe that the puppy that runs over first has chosen them.

It is a lovely moment, but it does not necessarily mean that puppy is the best match for their home.

The first puppy to approach may be confident and sociable.

The quieter puppy may simply be more observant or tired.

One short meeting only gives you a snapshot of their behaviour.

A responsible breeder has watched the puppies develop over several weeks and should be able to tell you which puppies are more confident, sensitive, independent, persistent or able to settle.

They may recommend a particular puppy based on your household and experience rather than simply allowing you to choose by colour or appearance.

That is often a positive sign.

The boldest puppy is not automatically the best puppy.

The quietest puppy is not automatically the easiest puppy.

The right puppy is the one whose temperament and needs best match the home being offered.

Choosing a Rescue Dog

The same care should be taken when choosing a rescue dog.

Try not to make the decision based only on appearance or because you feel sorry for them.

Ask what the dog is like now.

How do they behave when worried?

Can they be left alone?

Have they lived with children or other animals?

Do they have any health or behavioural needs?

Some behaviour seen in kennels may change once the dog is living in a home.

A responsible rescue should help you choose the dog that genuinely fits your household rather than simply encouraging you to take the dog you feel most drawn to.

The aim is not to find a dog with no needs.

It is to find a dog whose needs you can realistically meet.

Do Not Choose the Dog You Hope It Will Become

One of the biggest mistakes people can make is choosing a dog based on the version of it they imagine in the future.

They choose the nervous rescue because they believe love will make it confident.

They choose the most intense puppy because they believe training will completely change it.

They choose the working breed because they imagine the impressive adult dog it could become.

They choose the flat-faced puppy because it appears healthy enough at eight weeks old.

Choose the dog in front of you.

Listen carefully when breeders and rescues describe difficult traits.

Do not assume that enough love, exercise or training will remove every challenge.

Training can make an enormous difference.

Environment can make an enormous difference.

But neither can completely rewrite genetics, health or early development.

This does not mean nervous, intense or challenging dogs do not deserve homes.

It means they need homes that are genuinely prepared for the dog they are now, not only the dog someone hopes they may become.

Before You Make the Decision

Choosing a dog should still feel exciting.

You do not need to become an expert on every breed or arrive with an enormous interrogation list.

You simply need to slow down, look beyond appearance and ask sensible questions.

Research the breed.

Meet adult dogs where possible.

Speak to people who live and work with them.

Find out about health, grooming and temperament.

Choose a responsible breeder or rescue.

Most importantly, be prepared to walk away when something does not feel right.

There will always be another puppy or another dog needing a home.

Waiting for the right one is far better than spending the next ten or fifteen years trying to manage a dog whose needs were never suited to your life.

Before you fall for the breed, make sure you understand the dog that comes with it.