| Are you shopping for a new dog? If so, you will be | | | | 6 pounds, and are very loyal, intelligent and |
| able to choose from over one hundred different | | | | perceptive. Despite their size, they don't think of |
| breeds. Each breed of dog is unique in their own way. | | | | themselves as small dogs! They are very protective |
| Before you make a purchase you should look into | | | | of the house, and make great miniature guard dogs. |
| what each breed has to offer, as well as what other | | | | 4. The German shepherd is a popular large dog breed |
| people think about them. For many people, choosing | | | | for people looking for a watch or guard dog, or a |
| from the most popular dog breeds is a good start. | | | | very loyal companion. They weight between 60 and |
| After all, if so many people are interested in these | | | | 110 pounds, and are 22 to 26 inches high. They do |
| dogs they have to be doing some right. | | | | need daily brushing, however. German shephards are |
| Here are a few of the most popular dog breeds: | | | | extremely protective of their house and territory, |
| 1. The Labrador retriever is a beautiful and popular | | | | and this extends to his human family, with which he |
| dog breed. They weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, | | | | becomes strongly bonded to. They are quite |
| and stand from 21 to 24 and a half inches. They love | | | | sensitive dogs in that they are very aware of their |
| the water, and are very intelligent. My sister's black | | | | owner's moods, and are very intelligent. The only |
| labrador would chew the hose if the didn't get his | | | | potential problems are that they can be suspicious of |
| daily play with it! Labradors love swimming, and have | | | | strangers - and this includes your child's friends. As a |
| webbed feet which helps him swim well. They have a | | | | result, they need training and socialization, from |
| lovely, gentle nature, and adore humans. They don't | | | | puppyhood. |
| make great guard dogs, as they accept strangers | | | | 5. Beagles are great hunting dogs and are always |
| easily. But they are excellent with children. They do | | | | popular among dog lovers for their gentle nature and |
| have a lot of energy, so will need exercise and | | | | even temperament. They were originally used as |
| somewhere to run around. But their coat is quite low | | | | hunting dogs, and so have an amazing sense of smell |
| maintenance, and they are easy to train. | | | | - which, in the domestic environment can translate |
| 2. As far as the most popular dog breeds for families, | | | | into a penchant for sniffing out underwear in the |
| the Golden retriever is always near the top of the | | | | laundry! Beagles are extremely loyal and friendly, but |
| list. This breed is very similar to the Labrador | | | | they need training, though they can be difficult to |
| retriever except it has a longer coat. They weigh | | | | train due to their curiosity. They are quite strong |
| between 55 and 80 pounds, and stand 22 to 24 and | | | | willed, especially when they catch a scent they are |
| a half inches high. Golden retrievers are very | | | | curious about. But they are very playful dogs, and |
| intelligent, and have a great love of humans. They | | | | make great family pets. They are fine with toddlers, |
| are very playful and eager to please, and even love | | | | and as long as they have been socialized the right |
| all the attention that children give a pet! They are | | | | way, will get along in multi-dog households. |
| good around strangers, so they don't make good | | | | The most popular dog breeds are not necessarily the |
| guard dogs, but this can be good for a family with | | | | best, they are just the ones that are bought the |
| children bringing friends over. Golden retrievers do | | | | most by the general public. If you are shopping for a |
| need obedience training, as their need for attention, | | | | new dog, looking at the most popular breeds is |
| and desire to play all the time could be irritating to | | | | probably a great place to start, but be sure to take |
| owners wanting some time of their own. They also | | | | into account your needs. Do you want a dog that will |
| need at least an hour of exercise a day. | | | | fit into an apartment? Or be good around children - |
| 3. If you are shopping for a smaller dog, look into | | | | especially small children? How much time do you have |
| buying a Chihuahua. This is one of the most popular | | | | to exercise your dog? These questions will help |
| dog breeds year in and year out, and is nice for | | | | determine whether a breed is appropriate for your |
| people who do not want a big dog running through | | | | lifestyle and situation. |
| their home at all times. Chihuahua's weight from 2 to | | | | |