As you begin your search for a dog, you are probably asking yourself, “What type of dog would be best for me?” Dogs come in many different sizes, colors, coats, and personalities. Start your dog ownership off on the right foot by doing your research before you settle on a breed.

While there are around 400 recognized breeds, the best place to start is by looking at the approx. 155 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, broken down into seven broad categories. Within each breed category are subgroups.

Sporting Group

Sporting dogs were originally bred to help man hunt birds by retrieving the birds from water or bushes. Nature has conditioned them to retrieve; they also love fetching balls and newspapers, and they make great companions. Members of the Sporting Group include retrievers, pointers, setters, and spaniels. A naturally active breed, regular brisk exercise is a must with these dogs to avoid excessive chewing, jumping and barking.

Hound Group

Hounds were originally bred for hunting. There are three main subgroups: scent hounds, sighthounds, and large game hounds. Sighthounds make gentle pets, but they love to run after fast-moving targets. They include the Greyhound, Irish Wolfhound, and Whippet. Scent hounds follow their nose and it can be difficult to get their attention when they are on the trail of something. They are sweet, loving, and make good companions. Among them are the Beagle and Bloodhound. Large game hounds like the Rhodesian Ridgeback were bred to hunt lions, elk and other game. They are powerful, fearless and make good watch dogs.

Working Group

The breeds in this group were bred to help man. Their jobs range from rescue to sledding and guarding. They are intelligent, learn quickly, and make good companions. However, most of them are very large, strong dogs and they may not be suitable for families with young children. Proper training is very important with these breeds. Among the breeds are sled dogs like the Siberian Husky and Samoyed; draft dogs that were bred to pull heavy loads like the Bernese Mountain Dog; guard dogs including the Bullmastiff, Rottweiler and Akita; and rescue/water dogs such as the Newfoundland and Saint Bernard.

Herding Group

Dogs in the herding group were, you’ve guessed it, bred to herd. They are lively, agile, alert, respond well to training, and make great pets. They love lots of exercise and if they can’t find a sheep to herd they will happily (and gently) herd their owners or children. Herding dog include the Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, German Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Non-Sporting Group

Originally many of these dogs were working dogs, but these days they are mainly companions. These breeds vary widely in size, coat, temperament, and personality. Among the diverse breeds are the Bichon Frise, Chow Chow, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Poodle, and Schipperke.

Terrier Group

Terriers are a determined bunch, and original bred as either vermin hunters or fighting breeds. Vermin hunters are lively, independent and do best on a leash when outdoors. Terriers can become barkers or chewers if not properly trained, and sometimes can get aggressive over food or toys. The fighter group includes the Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. They can make good pets if properly trained and socialized, but without training they can be a possible danger to people and other dogs.

Toy Group

The Toy breeds are very small, playful, devoted to their owners, and love and demand attention. Their main purpose is to be adorable and they are terrific lapdog. They need less exercise than other breeds and do well in apartments or other small quarters, and are a good choice for older people. Some, however, may bark or snap if they are not trained. Toy Breeds include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Maltese, Pekinese, Pug, and Toy Poodle.

By doing your research before you choose a breed, you’ll be a big step ahead in finding the dog that fits your personality and lifestyle, and you’ll have a great companion for years to come.

Valerie Goettsch is webmaster of my-favorite-dog.com My Favorite Dog featuring articles and information on my-favorite-dog.com types of dog breeds, dog health issues, training, and more.

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The Leonberger is a breed which comes from the city of Leonberg near the foothills of the Black Forest of Germany. The Mayor of Leonberg, Heir Heinrich Essig, developed this dog for one reason only, he wanted to breed a dog that would resemble the lion depicted on the crest of his town. He accomplished this by breeding a Saint Bernard to a Newfoundland, then breeding the offspring to a Pyrenean Mountain dog, in 1907. He thus produced what the rest of the dog world considered a “crossbreed”. However, the good looks and personality of the dog won over the hearts of many and it soon became popular not only in Germany but throughout Europe. The dog has the web foot typical of the Newfoundland and the burly good humor of both the Newf and the Saint, while the Pyrenean Mountain dog contributed some herding and guarding instinct. The Leonberger very nearly became extinct during the World Wars. Great Britain and the United States imported dogs of the German strain and continued to breed this distinctly different dog. It has since become registered by all of the European Kennel clubs. Registry in the American Kennel Club has begun with the first step being recognition by the F.S.S. (Foundation Stud Service) of the A.K.C.

The Leonberger is a fairly healthy dog, the only consideration being that there may be a tendency to hip and elbow dysplasia. The United States Leonberger club recognizes that this is a breed that should be x-rayed before breeding and most of the breeders involved with this unique dog work hard at making sure that their puppies are sold on contracts to spay or neuter a pet dog.

The Leonberger indeed has the appearance of a lion to a certain extent. It is a large dog, weighing in at 80 to 150 pounds. The face has a distinguished looking black mask and the hairs of the body often have a black tip to the ends. The color is fawn to light golden to deep red. The coat is double in nature with a dense undercoat, however it is a coat which does lie close to the body and should not be groomed to the appearance of a “stand-off” coat such as the Chow chow. The tail is long, extending to the top of the hock and is carried at “half mast” when moving. The breed sports a mane around the neck and the top of the back, although it is not as outstanding as the mane of an actual lion.

Truly the character of this dog is rather like that of a lion, being regal and somewhat aloof in nature, preferring his family “pack” to all others but accepting of strangers when properly introduced. He is gentle and congenial but makes a good watchdog, with a deep and resounding bark to warn of intruders. Strong enough to pull a cart and with the swimming characteristic of the Newfoundland, this is a versatile and enjoyable dog that brings faithfulness and a true working dog’s sense of loyalty to his people.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to

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Providing adequate free space for your dog to roam around in is essential if you want him to be happy and healthy. Occasionally pet owners will buy a kennel that is just too small for their dog, or perhaps they purchase it when the dog was a puppy and it has since outgrown the kennel. If this is the case then you may need to upgrade to a large outdoor dog kennel.

What is considered large?

An outdoor kennel could definitely be considered large if it has more than 100 square feet in total area. Some kennels even exceed 200 square feet, but this amount of space is only required for the largest breeds of dogs such as Great Danes or Mastiffs. Larger sized kennels will typically have more vertical space as well, going up to about 6′ in height. Your dog should have plenty of room to move about if you put him in a kennel as large as the ones mentioned.

What size dog generally needs a large outdoor kennel?

Surely no dog will complain to you about having TOO much space, however not all dogs require large kennels. Generally breeds of dogs that weigh 100 pounds or more when fully grown will benefit the most from the extra room. Such breeds include Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Akitas, Mastiffs, and Wolfhounds. These are among the largest breeds of dog, so they will naturally have special needs such as larger kennels.

How much will a large outdoor dog kennel cost?

Large outdoor kennels will start at about $200 for a basic one. A sturdier premium model, however, can cost upwards of $900 or more. Don’t worry too much though, because this type of extra strong kennel is generally only needed if your dog is very aggressive and will often try to escape. A docile pooch should be fine with a cheaper standard model.

Whether you are considering purchasing a kennel for the first time, or your dog has simply outgrown his current one, you need to be sure that your pet has enough space to move around in. If you love your dog and want him to be happy, then don’t be afraid to spend a little extra money on a larger outdoor dog kennel. I’m sure your dog will appreciate it!

Scott Byers is a contributor to dogkennels.easyaccessinfo.com Dog Kennel Info along with many other websites.

Visit us if you would like to learn more about dogkennels.easyaccessinfo.com/Outdoor_Dog_Kennel.html large outdoor dog kennels.

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With hundreds of breeds to choose from, how do you decide which one is right? Narrow down the choices in a few simple steps.

Size Matters

First, consider your available space. If you live in an apartment, you can rule out large dogs. Look for dogs in the Toy group, such as Yorkshire Terriers, or some of the smaller dogs in the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.

If you have children, you may want to rule out very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese. They are delicate and can be accidentally injured by young children. On the other hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards, can be overly boisterous and can accidentally turn your child into a human bowling pin. Consider medium-sized breeds, such as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos.

Exercise Essential

Next, consider how much exercise you can give your dog. If you have a home with a fenced yard, your dog will be able to get some exercise on his own.

However, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups are very high-energy animals, and they will need intensive daily exercise. Plan to take a lot of long walks with your dog or go for a daily romp in the park. After all, these dogs were bred to work hard, and they don’t do well unless they have a job to do or a way to burn off excess energy.

To Groom Or Not

Also, don’t forget to consider grooming needs. Some breeds need only half an hour or so of grooming a week, while others require an hour a day. If you are short on time, don’t buy a Standard Poodle or a Maltese — unless you plan to take your dog to a groom. Breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets are good choices for people who don’t have time for a lot of grooming.

Puppy Problems

Once you decide which breed you want, you will need to consider the age of the dog. Many people opt to buy a cuddly little puppy instead of an adult. While puppies have the advantage of not yet having developed any bad habits, it will be up to you to be sure your puppy is housebroken and obedience trained.

Do you want to buy a puppy? If so, you will need to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the appropriate breed. Often, a good breeder will have a waiting list for puppies.

If you aren’t the patient sort, you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. A word of caution — many pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have genetic health defects, bad temperaments, and other problems. It is usually safest to buy a puppy directly from the breeder.

Older dogs are usually housebroken and frequently have some obedience training. They are also less likely to be hyperactive and destructive. However, they can have behavioral problems or health problems that prompted the former owner to find them a new home.

If you are interested in an older dog, you may want to visit your local animal shelter or call a breed rescue. These groups evaluate the dogs’ health and temperament before adopting them out.

Once you’ve picked the breed and the dog, you have one more important decision to make — what to name your new best friend!

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit new-pup.com” target=”_blank new-pup.com to learn more about this subject.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

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There are many breeds of large loveable dogs that make wonderful family pets. They are not well suited for small homes, apartment or condominiums, as they require more space to roam and exercise. A large home with a big backyard or country living is ideal. Large dogs are often very social and great with older children. These loveable monsters can knock over smaller children accidentally. Make sure that whatever breed of large dog you might consider, always learn as much about the breed as possible. Anybody that chooses a large dog should be prepared to train it well, to prevent injury to others, teach them manners and socialize there pet. When a small dog jumps up to greet you, it is far different from a sixty-pound dog. Also, remember that dogs are social animals and want to live with the family, not outside by themselves. Your dog will need a lot of exercise so if you are a couch potato, you may find a toy breed of dog more suitable for your lifestyle. Bored dogs can develop some bad habits and destructive behavior so exercise, long walks and playing are a necessity.

Large dogs eat more so cost more to feed. You must supply your dog with a high quality food, balanced specifically for larger breed dogs and the same for large breed puppies. Large breed dogs are usually much rougher on their toys, so make sure any you purchase are durable, big and sturdy.

Some people have referred to Afghan Hounds temperament as cat like because they love to be petted and then go and lay down for a nap. Terrific with children of all ages, they love to clown around and show off. These loyal, gentle and kind dogs are extremely loyal to their human family. Afghan hounds have a wonderful, long, luxurious coat but do require frequent grooming. Approximately 27 inches high, their average lifespan is around thirteen years.

The intelligent German shepherds are great with older children when raised with them. Training and early socialization is necessary, along with a large fenced yard for exercise. Extremely intelligent, these large dogs are very loyal.

English setters make wonderful family pets that are great with children. They are very gentle but let you know when a stranger knocks on the door. Be prepared to spend time brushing them a few times a week and trimming every six or eight weeks. They require well-fenced, large yard.

Saint Bernard’s are great big loveable family dogs. Although they have a deep bark, they are not good watchdogs. They require a large yard to exercise. There are two varieties, which are the shorthaired and longhaired. Both require weekly grooming to control their shedding. Because of their weight and large size, Saint Bernhard’s are prone to hip dysplasia. Their life expectancy is around eight or nine years.

The Newfoundland is a great big cuddly bear of a dog, good with children and very protective. Because of their calm, tolerant nature, they made wonderful family pets. As with most of the large breed of dog, a secure fenced yard is necessary. Because they do shed, brush them a couple times a week.

Large breed dogs are harder to shop for. Since large breed products usually take up more space, retailers carry less of them. To find a great online selection of Large Breed ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-beds/ dog beds, ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/elevated-dog-feeders/ dog feeders, and more supplies for your big dog, check out Oh My Dog Supplies

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