It is an undeniable fact that some breeds are easier to train than others, and this is essentially a reflection of their ancestry. Dogs have been kept for many different purposes since they were first domesticated from wolves about 12,000 years ago. Those which have a history of collaborating closely with people, such as the retrievers and other gun dogs, are amongst the most responsive to training
In contrast, hound breeds, bred to work in packs with little individual contact with their keepers under normal circumstances, present greater problems, certainly in terms of obedience. A retriever or pointer will naturally tend to sit and stay, whereas a Beagle or Afghan Hound is bred to run, and pursue game relying on scent or sight. The culmination of its activity is at the kill, whereas a retriever needs to wait and relate closely to its owner, if it is to be successful at its task.
Other temperamental differences influence the training of dogs. Those breeds developed for guarding purposes, such as the Rottweiler, are naturally bold, and less amenable to accepting instructions from people than companion dogs such as the Tibetan Terrier which has been kept for centuries in the domestic environment.
Before you choose a breed, therefore, consider its suitability for your individual circumstances carefully. Factors such as the amount of exercise required are important, because if the dog does not receive adequate exercise it is likely to become destructive and bored around the house. As a general guide, a large dog requires more exercise than a smaller one.
It is obviously much harder to establish an indication of the eventual size and temperament of a cross-bred (mongrel) dog, compared with a pedigree (pure-bred) animal, and so you will need to try to discover the parentage of a puppy of this type. Failing ail else, its feet will provide some indication of its ultimate adult size. A cross-bred puppy with large feet is likely to grow into a big dog.
In our society today dogs perform a variety of tasks, aside from being kept as companions. They are still used in many parts of the world in their traditional role, of serving both to herd and guard farmstock. Nowadays, however, dogs also perform a much wider range of functions. Guide and sight dogs play a vital part in ensuring that many people with these disabilities can enjoy their lives much more than would otherwise be possible. The use of dogs to scent explosives, in aircraft luggage, for example, has helped to make the world a safer place, as has the part played by dogs in combating drug smuggling.
While many people are happy just to own a well-trained dog, you may decide that you want to enter obedience competitions with your pet. Unlike dog shows as such, the entries in such cases are judged solely on the dog’s individual abilities, rather than its type or appearance. Most dog training class will give you greater insight into the requires–and methods used to ensure success a high level of competition. Of course, you do not want to enter these shows. You can still benefit from the classes, which tend to reinforce the bond between you.
Within the field environment, dogs will develop the special talents for which were originally bred. The retrievers, for example, are a group of dogs which will and bring back game after it has been shot. In contrast, the pointers will adopt their characteristic posture when they first smell the scent of game. Many other breeds have been kept and developed for sporting purposes, including numerous gun dogs. They need steady and phlegmatic management if they are to reach their full potential, and specialist opportunities to enjoy the company of dogs, apart from as companions.