By Dr. Sonnya Crawford

Throughout my career, I’ve noticed that many families choose their dog based on looks and popularity. My husband once owned a Chow because he is attracted to fluffy dogs. He also likes St. Bernards, Old English sheepdogs and huskies. The theme: fluffy. I have a relative who purchased a Cane Corso as their first puppy because it looked cool and the breed is surging in popularity.

Cane Corsos are bred to be guard dogs, and like other guard dogs they require a great deal of training early on. They are naturally possessive, territorial, dominant and distrustful of strangers. This is not a beginner dog and not a good family pet. My family member was expecting their first child and had no desire to take their puppy to basic training classes. At a year of age, their Cane Corso is explosive at the vet’s office and won’t allow guests into their home.

Chows are another guard dog breed. They are aloof and tend to attach deeply to one or two family members. They are an aggressive breed, fiercely protective of their people and property, and should only be owned by experienced dog owners who have the time energy to devote to proper training and socialization.

I’m doing a lot of generalization in this article about these breeds. Generalizations often hold true in the dog world. Dog breeds are selected through generations to perform specific duties. Bloodhounds track with their nose. Mastiffs guard. Basset hounds hunt rabbits. Greyhounds run fast to catch prey animals. Border collies herd. You cannot train these basic traits out of your dog.

When you purchase a dog, you are purchasing a set of breed traits. These traits may or may not work with your family’s personality. For example, if you don’t want your basset hound going walkabout to find rabbits, you must have a fenced yard. If you have a cat and want to keep it, a greyhound isn’t a good option. If you get a border collie, you’ll need to make sure she has something to herd, or she’ll begin to herd your children and anything else she can find.

The first step to being a responsible dog owner begins before you even bring home a dog. You will need to thoughtfully and seriously assess your family’s needs and personality before making a decision about what breed you want. After all, you will have your dog for years.

So, if your family loves to hike and spend time in the great outdoors, a husky may be perfect. If your husband and son are hunters, a Labrador retriever or a Nova Scotia duck tolling dog may be the best breed for your family. If you have small children, little time and not a lot of dog experience, may I suggest a golden retriever?

The American Kennel Club has an online Dog Breed Selector app to help you find the perfect fit for your family at www.akc.org/dog-breed-selector.

Sonnya Crawford, DVM, is a veterinarian at Grays Harbor Veterinary Services in Montesano. Her pets include two cats, numerous parrots, a giant bunny and saltwater fish. Her special interests are in avian medicine, veterinary dermatology and dentistry. Reach her at drsonnya@gmail.com.