Cy*Burr // spring 2004

Dogs range in size from the tiniest Chihuahuas to giant Irish wolfhounds—the tallest of all dogs. A full-grown Maltese can weigh in at seven pounds, and an adult Newfoundland can top out at 150 pounds.

A potential dog owner should assess his or her own activity level before choosing a dog breed. Do you like to jog daily, spend weekends at the lake, hike in the woods, play Frisbee® in the park or lounge on the couch and socialize with friends?

Some giant breeds, like Great Danes, can be as happy in apartments as the toy breeds if they are taken for daily walks. But it would be wise to check the lease for pet clauses. Some landlords restrict the size or number of dogs allowed.

It is easier to choose a dog that fits into a human lifestyle if you know what a dog is supposed to do. The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 breeds and organizes those breeds into seven groups based on the original function of the breed. The AKC Web site describes each breed, offering a brief history and common personality traits in addition to the physical standard of the breed.

After winning the Oster Tournament of Champions, Chris Pawlosky retired from competitive dog grooming and was hired by the company. As an experienced groomer and a show-ring handler, she understands breed characteristics.

“Get on the AKC Web site and find out what that breed is bred to do—and don’t forget that because if you do, you’re going to end up with a nightmare,” Pawlosky said. “Herding dogs like to nip and have to have lots of energy to chase sheep all day long, and retrievers like to fetch and they can be a little crazed about it. Terriers were bred to take care of vermin, and that’s what terriers focus on—little furry things that go really fast, and that could include your cat or your hamster. That’s what they were bred to do, so you will have a pretty high ratio of those instincts coming out. You can’t stop it.”

Maltese kennel owner Debbie Palmieri has 16 dogs in her “doggie day care.” She remodeled her downstairs so the dogs have room to play together, and they have a television showing the Animal Planet channel all day long.

She said Maltese are a good breed for apartment living, but they don’t like to be by themselves. They are fragile, comical, will run laps around the living room and need lots of toys for entertainment.

“When you have Maltese you spoil them,” Palmieri said. “They are pretty dogs to show off with fake diamonds, bows, satin beds—and you don’t get a regular coat, you get a monogrammed coat.”

Palmieri’s 9-month-old pure-white Nicky models a satin coat as shiny and black as her tiny eyes. The coat has teal trim and is embroidered with the kennel name, Villa Malta.

“They are not food driven—they are attention driven,” Palmieri said. “I don’t use food in the ring when I show them. I use a kind word and a happy squeaky voice.”

“Talk to dog people. They will help you make fewer mistakes. Dog people are very proud of their dogs, and they love to talk about them.”

Jay Wootten, an assistant professor of English at Kent State Salem, owns a keeshond, Bertie, and a Border collie, Patch. She does not recommend Border collies for first-time dog owners because they are incredibly smart and need experienced trainers.

“A lot of people went out and got Border collies after that cute movie ‘Babe,’ and so a lot of Border collies ended up in shelters,” Wootten said. “There are so many Border collies in rescue that it’s hard to find homes for them.”

She said a group in North Carolina is training some rescued Border collies to be geese dogs and placing them at golf courses and airports to chase away the geese.

Wootten does recommend keeshonden for rookie dog owners because they are sociable dogs that like people as well as other animals. Wootten’s Bertie is about 18 inches tall, covered with fluffy gray and black hair and an instant friend. His perky ears, facial markings called “spectacles,” dark muzzle and open mouth make him look like he is smiling.

“They’re not fighters,” Wootten said. “They tend to be alarm dogs. They will bark if someone comes to the door, but they’re not the kind of dogs who will tear out a burglar’s throat.”

Jeff Showman judges obedience trials and competes in the obedience ring with his 4-year-old papillon, River. He agrees with other experts that most people buy their first dog because they are attracted to the way it looks. He suggests finding several breeds that attract you, researching those breeds and interacting with dogs to make sure the breed fits your lifestyle.

Showman advises against choosing a breed because it is popular. The breed may be right for you, or it may not, but you will only know if you do a lot of homework.

“Go to dog shows,” Showman said while River lounged over his leg and watched other dogs practice agility jumps. “Talk to dog people. They will help you make fewer mistakes. Dog people are very proud of their dogs, and they love to talk about them.”