There are over two hundred breeds of dog, from teeny, tiny Chihuahuas and toy and teacup breeds, up to giant breeds like Saint Bernard or English Mastiff. As a dog lover myself, all breeds of dog are stars in their own ways to me. However, most of us have a breed that especially appeals to us, that connects to us in some way. These are dogs who would do anything for us and dogs for whom we would do anything.
I was not always a dog lover, being more of a cat person originally, but all that changed when we bought a Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Dogs for our son. It was to be a Christmas present and I was thumbing through it when I came upon the page with French Bulldogs. There was an immediate connection, and I knew I wanted to share my life with some of these adorable little dogs. Long story short, I and my family have been the privileged caretakers of six French Bulldogs over the years. None of them were show quality, but as far as we are concerned they were absolutely the best quality – kings and queens every one of them. Gabby, whose picture highlights this section, was our first Frenchie. She made a huge impact on everyone, there was just a special quality about her, she was different in a very good way. She had a positive influence on our lives.
Whatever breed makes you happy, with which you do feel an emotional pull is the best breed for you. I’m only going to cover eleven types of dogs here, the ten judged to be the most popular at the moment and one more besides. Tastes and fashions change, and breeds move up and down on any list. My advice is to not pay attention to fads, but go with the dog that best fits you and your lifestyle. People sometimes have trouble with their dogs because they pick a dog that just needs more than they are able to give it. An active, large dog like a German Shepherd or Boxer or Great Dane needs a lot of exercise to stay healthy physically and mentally. If you live in an apartment or close neighborhood, this kind of dog might not work out well. Hunting dogs have the instinct to hunt, and are also active breeds. Do research before choosing a dog, and find out which breed will be a good fit, it will make everyone, human and canine, a lot happier.
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