The Worlds Cutest Dog Breeds

Adopting a pet is an exciting and rewarding life decision. It's also a tremendous responsibility.

When you choose to bring an animal into your home, you are making a commitment to provide for them for the rest of their life.

Depending on the type of pet you adopt, you'll likely have to make some major changes in your life to welcome your new friend into your home.

1. Educate yourself on why it's so important to adopt and not shop. 

   2. Make a plan for your home—Where will the dog sleep? Who will walk the new dog? Where will you feed your new puppy? What needs to be puppy proofed?

3.Research and visit reputable shelters in the area. Bring the entire family and meet multiple dogs. (Don’t overlook senior dogs!)

4.Don’t rush the decision (no matter how cute that puppy is!). Give it a few days to think about it.

5.If you have another dog at home, be sure to bring it to the animal shelter to meet the new dog. If you’re still not sure how they will be together, ask the shelter for a trial period where you take the dog home for a weekend.

6.Get the proper dog supplies before bringing the dog home.  

• Collar
• Leash
• An old towel or blanket to put on your seat
• A toy or ball
• A water bowl and water , especially if you have a ways to drive to get home.

7. Be patient with your dog, especially for the first three months, and allow time for the adjustment period.

A dog breeder raises, sells, and often shows dogs of a specific breed. Top breeders conscientiously raise puppies with good genetic lines. When possible, reputable breeders test dogs before breeding them in order to ensure they’re free of any congenital defects. Good breeders also temperament test every puppy before pairing him with an ideal home.

Looking at breeder terminology is key 

Here are some explanations of key terms to keep in mind when searching for and dealing with breeders:

• Genetic defects: These defects are passed down from parent to pup and can result in a host of maladies, from hip dysplasia to heart murmurs. Conscientious breeders avoid breeding dogs with these congenital defects. As you research each prospective breed, list possible defects and question the breeder’s awareness before looking at his puppies.
• Line breeding/breeding for show: Breeders of show dogs mindfully try to create puppies who, when grown, adhere to the breed standard. This practice becomes a problem when a breeder pairs closely related dogs as parents: Though the puppies may look beautiful, some of them may be adversely affected by line breeding.

• Breed standard: In the United States, the American Kennel Club documents a breed standard, which lists each breed’s specific ideal characteristics, from coat color and personality to the skeletal carriage and direction of each toe. Each detail is very precise, and perfection is the golden chalice every show-oriented breeder reaches for. However, if you’re looking for the ideal family pet or companion, a maligned freckle or slightly offset toenail won’t matter at all!
• Breeding for temperament: Reputable breeders breed for temperament, which means the breeder’s just as interested in delightfully acting puppies as ones that look good. If you’re getting your puppy to be a pet, this attribute in a breeder trumps all others.
• Temperament testing: A temperament test is a series of handling exercises performed on a puppy to predict his future temperament. The test provides a fairly accurate assessment of a puppy’s personality and eventual adult demeanor.

 There are three types of dogs born in every litter. Picture them in a line. There are the alpha dogs in front leading the way, the dogs in the middle who don't really want to lead, but they will if they have to, and the dogs in the back of the line who are very submissive naturally wanting to follow. These submissive dogs don't want to make rules or tell anyone what to do. This is considered the pack order or pack hierarchy. 

Alpha Dogs, also called Front of the Line Dogs—Without strong leadership this type of dog can become very pushy and overprotective. They tend to be very smart with a lot of personality. They will refuse to be ruled by anyone who is weaker minded than they are. In extreme cases they can become aggressive with humans or other dogs. Not because they are mean, but because in their minds the pack's survival depends on having a strong leader and they are confident that they have what it takes to be that leader. They are the soldiers ready to step up and rule the home if needed. You need to earn their respect in order to lead them. Size means nothing. The tiniest dogs can rule the extra large dogs and their humans. The power is all in the mind, not the amount or size of muscle on the body.

Middle of the Line Dogs—The dogs in the middle are easiest to train, but are also easily bored. They need to know the humans are capable of leading the pack. Without a stable-minded leader they are prone to testing their limits and can become overexcited and anxious, which is often mistaken for happiness. They do not necessarily want to lead, but they will if they feel it is needed. Because they are not born to lead, a lack of a strong being to guide them can stress them out and cause them to become unbalanced. They may obsess over things and become destructive to the home.  

In addition to temperament types, dogs are also born with energy levels that range from game style working dogs that will go and go until they drop, to true couch potatoes that just want to lay around all day. Providing an appropriate amount of exercise for a dog  goes a long way in balancing out their temperament.

While dogs have the same basic canine instincts, it is important to recognize their natural temperament and energy level. The type of dog is ingrained within them and it cannot be changed.