13/12/2023
RESEARCH REQUIRED!
Choosing a dog just because of the way they look.
We wouldn’t choose a partner or make a commitment to sharing our lives with someone based purely on the way they look – (I suppose there could be exceptions in some cases!)
We would first really get to know them, what kind of personality they have and who they really are before making that sort of commitment.
Yet people continue to choose dogs just because of the way they look.
Maybe they saw a dog like that in a movie that they enjoyed or maybe they just really like the way they look, without having any understanding or thought to learn about what that particular breed was selectively bred to do and what behaviour might be expected.
The way a dog behaves is not always specific to the breed. Dogs are individuals, with their own unique personality and their behaviour is shaped not only by genetics, but by specific life and learning experiences and environment, but problems can happen when the traits of that breed and their specific needs are not taken into account.
Some breeds may just simply not be compatible with a particular person or family’s needs, lifestyle, environment or expectations.
Is it fair or ethical to need to suppress, train out or even punish breed specific tendencies, calling them behaviour problems, when we hold a dog in a captive environment that is unsuitable for them.
First research the breed and learn all you can about potential traits and what to expect before making that choice.
