Why Dogs Make Ideal Pets - Family - Pets

The question of whether a dog or cat is the perfect pet has been argued as long as there have been cat lovers and dog lovers around. The preference probably depends more on the personality of the owner than the personality of the pet. Different dog breeds have been created over the years and the characteristics are not necessarily the same from breed to breed. However, many of the dog breeds share the following personality traits which endear them to human owners.

* Many of the dog breeds are quite territorial and this translates into loyalty for the pet owner. The level of loyalty is high in breeds such as border collie and German shepherd. The loyalty factor will keep a dog focused totally on the master. When coupled with intelligence found in many breeds, canine pets are wonderful guardians for children, in many instances sticking with an owner and helping to rescue them from dangerous situations. This makes the loyal dog easy to teach and train for various types of duties.

* Most dogs, even the smallest ones are quite brave when it comes to protection for their owners. Choosing canine pets has been a great choice for anyone who has ever been saved, thanks to the warnings of the dog that an intruder is in the house, or there is a fire in the basement. Even for the dog who is not particular brave, someone who intends harm to the owner or his property will probably be deterred by a barking and snarling animal on the other side of the closed door. Pets who can sense pending danger to an owner or family member have been rewarded as heroes many times over the years.

* Whether or not your canine pets are trained guard dogs, just the sound of a frantically barking animal behind a door is enough to deter most unwanted intruders. Many dogs are selected as pets with the secondary purpose of serving as guardians for the human owners' persons and possessions. You should be certain that your pets are trained specifically for the purpose that you have in mind.

* Obviously the main reason why people choose pets is because of the social interaction they provide. You never need to be embarrassed or ashamed about talking to yourself if there is a dog in the room with you. You can express your thoughts right out loud and the dog will be a great listener. Fido is never judgmental and will agree with any decision you come to. Even if you make an utterly stupid mistake in your life decisions, the dog will never look askance at you or say "I told you so."

Once you decide that your pets of choice are canines, all that remains is the education about the various breeds so that you can incorporate other general characteristics of the breed personality into your decision making process. If you can't stand constant demands for attention, choose a breed with a more laid back personality. If you need exercise, choose a breed that loves to jog with you.