Do you have a dog that goes crazy with skateboards? What about with bikes, goats, and chickens? Or small kids?
Does your dog love to nip your ankles, arms, and hands?
Or, does your dog love to whine, cry, and pull you endlessly on walks?
Everything happens for a reason. Your dog isn't cute one moment and a monster the next for no reason at all.
One of those reasons is genetics.
Dogs have unique instincts based on their ancestral heritage. This means that each dog comes pre-programmed with certain tendencies and preferences based on what they were bred to do. In the past, dogs performed specific tasks, and those traits still influence their behavior today.
Let's explore some dog breeds that belong to different categories and understand their natural tendencies:
1. Herding Dogs: Herding breeds are known for their ability to control and guide livestock. They excel at rounding up animals through chasing, herding and nipping. Examples of herding dogs include Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and German Shepherds.
2. Working Dogs: Working breeds have a strong desire to perform tasks and assist their owners in various roles. They are intelligent and capable of helping with jobs like protecting properties, pulling carts, or performing rescues. Some popular working dog breeds are Dobermans, Siberian Huskies, and Rottweilers. Sledding dogs are also considered working dogs. They have a natural talent for pulling heavy loads over long distances. They are built for endurance and strength, making them perfect for sled-pulling tasks. Well-known sledding dog breeds include Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies (again), and Samoyeds.
3. Hunting and Sporting Dogs: Hunting breeds are bred for tracking, chasing, and retrieving game. They possess a keen sense of smell and a natural inclination to hunt. Examples of hunting dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, and Dachshunds.
4. Terrier Dogs: Terriers are known to be feisty and energetic dogs who have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Historically, they were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Examples of terrier dogs include the Russel Terrier, Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier.
Your dog's ancestral heritage can explain why your dog loves to chase, point, hunt, herd, nip, and pull, among others. However, it is important to remember that nature isn't everything. As a responsible dog owner, recognizing your dog's breed-specific tendencies can help you understand their behavior better. This is where breed or biological fulfillment comes in. Now that you know your dog's history and tendencies, you can use that information to nurture them better.
How? By providing them with suitable outlets for their instincts, whether it be through running, swimming, hiking, tugging, playing fetch, conquering an agility course, or hunting for toys and treats.
In short, find what your dog loves to do.
Incorporate appropriate physical and mental activities in your day to day lives, so that you can ensure a happy and harmonious relationship between you, your canine companion, and the rest of the household.
(This is the third article in our series called "Raising the Perfect Dog." To know more about how to raise the 'perfect dog,' head over to https://www.sitandstayph.com/blog/categories/raising-the-perfect-dog)
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