You kind of made your own point against your argument in the first paragraph. There are different traits to different breeds, and that is a fact. I would never get an Australian Shepherd (or any shepherd) because they simply have higher energy and exercise needs than most other dogs do. So I insist on getting a breed with lower exercise requirements.
The point is: breed matters. Environment and training matter, but so does the breed. Get one that suits your lifestyle.
Yes but a lot of people decide they want X breed because it’s cute, and don’t account for how that kind of dog will actually fit into their lives. Waaaay too many end up going to backyard breeders because the dog they want isn’t common in shelters and they absolutely must have one. And then 6 months later, they’re on Nextdoor rehoming it.
If more people said, “this is what I can provide a dog, these are breeds that might be a good fit but I’m open,” and then went to the shelter looking for the best match, everyone would be better off.
The thing about most shelters is they are filled with mutts. Yes, breeds have traits. But with mutts, visual breed identification is notoriously difficult. Best to go to a shelter and meet with a dog to feel it out.
And don’t believe whatever label they slap on it. They are guessing (no fault on them, they gotta write something down). My recent adoption was labeled as a high-energy breed and he’s pretty chill. I almost skipped over him because I was afraid I couldn’t handle the breed that they thought he was/what he looked like.
You kind of made your own point against your argument in the first paragraph. There are different traits to different breeds, and that is a fact. I would never get an Australian Shepherd (or any shepherd) because they simply have higher energy and exercise needs than most other dogs do. So I insist on getting a breed with lower exercise requirements.
The point is: breed matters. Environment and training matter, but so does the breed. Get one that suits your lifestyle.
Yes but a lot of people decide they want X breed because it’s cute, and don’t account for how that kind of dog will actually fit into their lives. Waaaay too many end up going to backyard breeders because the dog they want isn’t common in shelters and they absolutely must have one. And then 6 months later, they’re on Nextdoor rehoming it.
If more people said, “this is what I can provide a dog, these are breeds that might be a good fit but I’m open,” and then went to the shelter looking for the best match, everyone would be better off.
The thing about most shelters is they are filled with mutts. Yes, breeds have traits. But with mutts, visual breed identification is notoriously difficult. Best to go to a shelter and meet with a dog to feel it out.
And don’t believe whatever label they slap on it. They are guessing (no fault on them, they gotta write something down). My recent adoption was labeled as a high-energy breed and he’s pretty chill. I almost skipped over him because I was afraid I couldn’t handle the breed that they thought he was/what he looked like.