Why do people get a specific breed of dog, then complain when the dog behaves the way it was bred to be?

Question

I am a professional dog trainer and frequently encounter people who have a particular breed of dog, but then hate it when that dog acts like the dog it was bred to be. For example: Why does my Sheltie bark? (it was bred to herd by barking) Why does my terrier dig? (Duh! Terra? They were bred to go to ground and dig up rodents) Why does my Golden Retriever Steal things? (the "retrieve" in the name might be a tip off here) Why does my Beagle ignore me when he is sniffing a bunny trail? (Scent hound, he pretty much can't help himself)
So, why do people get dogs, then abuse and abandon them for doing what they were created by humans to do?

Answer 1

People usually choose a specific breed of dog because, in a dangerous mix of enthusiasm and ignorance, they make decisions based on the APPEARANCE and physical traits of the animal rather than the behavioral traits.

It is indeed a shame that a dog is then blamed for what she feels deep inside is her job and reason for living. I suspect, though, that you are already aware of this, and are using this posting to vent and to educate the public. I hear you, and I thank you.

Answer 2

Because everybody wants a dog, is in a hurry, gets one too quickly without checking out the breed and or lifestyle, and then bitches about it. I adopted my Weimaraner from the shelter. She is 2 yrs. old. She had been in 3 homes, each saying "she is too hard to control, she runs everywhere, she needs too much exercise" Well, Weimaraners are bird dogs, with a natural instinct to run, smell, chase. One owner (the first one) wanted her cuz she looked like the dogs in the Wegamn photos. All dressed up in a funny costume, and looking silly. Then she had a litter of puppies at 11 months old, which caused an umbilical hernia. The second owner lived in an apartment, and kept her crated 10 hours a day, and could not understand why she went insane when let out. I'm glad I have her now, even though she IS a very demanding dog. As far as exercise goes. People really need to reserch a little more, it would cause much less heartache.

Answer 3

Because nowadays everything is looks, people are so shallow that they base thier liking of people and dogs on thier visual appearance. It is the same reason why someone marries a beautiful woman that they really dont like....they were attracted to the appearance and didnt bother to find anything out about personality, preffered lifestyle, and habits. If they could just look past the exterior they would know more but since they are too lazy to learn the enter into a lifetime commitment with an animal that prefers a totally different lifestyle not even remotely compatible with thier own, and the dog suffers because of thier ignorance. They should make a movie called
"Shallow Dog Owner" maybe then people would realize you dont base your decisions on looks instead of personality when choosing a dog as your companion.

Answer 4

Ha! Hear it all the time. My Sheltie is nipping the kids heals, my Beagle is barky, my Border Collie has to much energy, my Basset is hard to train, my terrier is digging and hard to handle, etc...

Some people seem to think a dog is a dog is a dog and their personalities are pretty much the same. Usually, when I point out that their dog IS a TERRIER after all, I just get a blank stare.

Sure wish people would put as much time into researching dog breeds that they do a car.

Answer 5

One of my biggest pet peeves when I was breeding professionally! We did extensive screening before selling a puppy to a new owner....and several times turned away folks who were determined to buy a puppy that was what they thought they wanted, but we knew they were in for trouble. When Wishbone was such a popular show, we had been raising Jack Russells for some time. All of a sudden, people with small children, and/or who were gone all day wanted one! We told them that if you don't give a Jack something creative to do, they will find something. Or folks wanting Shibas who also owned free range chickens or guinea! PLEEEASE!

The worst pet peeve I had, though was a couple who wanted to "try out" a puppy! You know, take it home for a week or so, then if it didn't work out, bring it back. I told the lady (loosely used term) that the puppy was NOT a pair of shoes, among other things.

It is our job as breeders to educate before allowing a puppy to go to a new home, or denying that puppy to them, if it doesn't fit their lifestyle.

Answer 6

Before we got our Jack Russell about 3 years ago, my mom made my sister and I (we were in our early to mid teens) read a whole bunch of books on them. (My mom had already had experience with them since she owned a few before and my grandpa was a vet.) Only after we took the time to do that and researched the breed were we allowed to get one. Suprisingly, we still wanted one after all the things we found out about them. She is very sweet and all, but can definitely get herself into trouble at any moment and fits the typical personality of jrt's to a tee. She has a problem with being way too inteligent for her own good (has figured out how to open doors with the lever handle among lots of other things). We love her to death and she is spoiled rotten. She takes up all of our time. LOL, one dog to 4 people and she's still a hassle sometimes!! We joke around all the time calling her our little Jack Russell "Terrorist." But all in all, no complaints here!!

But to really answer the question, I just don't think that people take the time to see all aspects of having any type of dog let alone a specific breed. Once you get into breeds, all types have their own problems and a few shared problems, but people are too quick to get a dog/puppy, but don't consider the time, effort, money, etc. that you have to put forward for the dog. Having dogs can be a very great reward, but if you can't handle it, don't get one until you can.

Answer 7

Annoys me too, especially on this site where I feel like I am doing everyone's research. Usually it is simply from lack of research or getting the dog only because it was cute. I just got a Portuguese Water Dog puppy (look it up) and he is insane, intelligent (working against me at the moment), and stubborn. If I had not researched and known to expect this that I would be going crazy right now.

Answer 8

Yes I agree with the first answer people should research the breed before getting a dog. Ok I didn't because I fell in love at first sight with my Westie puppy but the day I got her I did my research and I love her for who she is. I couldn't live without her. I found out everything to care for her in the best possible way. She is the best little friend any woman could have. She digs, tries to eat bugs and is very energetic...I love it!!! People are ignorant. I'm sorry you have to put up with it everyday!

Answer 9

They don't do any real research before they get the breed - they pick it because it LOOKS cool. Or they see a dog on tv and say, "That Eddie is a great dog! I want a Jack Russell just like that!" They want a dog like Lassie in the suit of whatever breed they like the looks of. Or they want a Chihuahua, because Paris Hilton has one.

I've had people ask me why their Husky pulls - for crying out loud! If they can't figure THAT one out, there's no hope for them...

We just have to try to educate them BEFORE they get the wrong dog.

Answer 10

Generally because they do not research the breed extensively enough before they buy it. Or, they research the breed enough to know that it has qualities like they want, and they ignore the others. For instance, my parents got brittany spaniels because they read that they have high trainability, what they did not take into account, however, was their energy level. If I did not live in this house, we would no longer have these dogs.