Finding the perfect match!

Finding the perfect match!

Love at first sight?

Finding the perfect match in humans can be difficult, luckily finding the perfect dog match is not always so difficult.  Sometimes we just know!!!  We see those beautiful eyes and we are in love!!!

So many breeds!

There are so many breeds, though, so how do we know which is right?  Let’s look at some different breeds. 

Rover.com recently conducted a survey of over 20,000 pet owners in the UK to discover what dog is the most popular in 2020. You can find their article here – https://www.rover.com/blog/uk/most-popular-dog-breeds/

To anyone who takes their dog on regular walks, you can probably have a good guess at what breeds will be in the top 10, but where exactly is your favourite?

Don’t worry if you’re dog isn’t in this list; it doesn’t make them any less perfect.

2020’s most popular dog breeds in the UK:

  1. Mixed breed
  2. Labrador Retriever
  3. Cocker Spaniel
  4. Jack Russell Terrier
  5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  6. Cockapoo
  7. French Bulldog
  8. Border Collie
  9. Shih Tzu
  10. Chihuahua

WE love all dogs…  But how do you know which to go for?

So just because all dogs are beautiful, just like humans they all have different traits and different personalities.  It is good to look at dogs temperaments.  For example if you are an older person/couple you may not be going for a Labrador Retriever or a Siberian Husky.  Not because they aren’t gorgeous, but because they need so much exercise and if they don’t get the exercise they need to stay mentally sound.

Most dogs are somewhere in the middle, needing regular exercise but not being unbearable if you have to miss a walk or two.  The two mentioned dogs can be hard to keep as house pets if they don’t get the exercise they require, there are a few more on the list if you want to know more have a look at some of our other blogs.

Just in case you can’t wait Pugs and Beagles make a good mate for older people, as well as many others of course.

Let’s look at a the top 10 breeds and some of the common personality traits

1. Mixed Breed

A Mixed breed is a mix of three or more breeds and is often known as a mutt or a mongrel. They differ from a crossbreed, like a Cockapoo, because they haven’t been intentionally bred between two breeds.

Due to the very nature of their breeding, every mixed breed is unique in both looks and personality.

Surprisingly, mixed breeds are often healthier than pedigree breeds as they’re less prone to genetic health problems, meaning they’re often cheaper to insure.

When you’re looking for pet insurance for a mixed breed, you will usually need to know their weight as that’s how insurers classify them.

2. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever has long been a firm favourite amongst dog owners and pet lovers in the UK thanks to their loyalty, affection, and abundance of joyful energy.

The incredibly intelligent, loving, and enthusiastic Labrador not only makes a wonderful pet, but they’re also one of the best working dogs, particularly for assisting the handicapped and for use as sniffer dogs.

A Labrador is the perfect choice for those who live in a house with a garden, are looking for a playful but affectionate companion, and who can commit to providing at least an hour of exercise each day.

3. Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is undeniable one of the most handsome dog breeds which, coupled with their loving and joyful personality, has long made them one of the favourite dog breeds in the UK.

They may have started life as gun dogs, bred for hunting woodcock, but they have become a beloved companion breed who loves to spend every minute with their humans.

A Cocker Spaniel is a suitable choice for first time owners, as they’re relatively easy to train, and they can adapt to most living conditions, meaning they can thrive in any sized home.

The biggest commitments a Cocker Spaniel owner must make is to provide regular grooming, to keep their luxurious coat looking glamourous, and daily exercise to burn their abundance of energy.

4. Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is an old dog breed that dates back centuries to when they were bred as working terriers for hunting.

In the UK there are two official breed standards which are the Parson Russell Terrier, with longer legs, and the standard Jack Russell Terrier which is shorter legged. The difference in size is virtually the only variation as they share the same personality, coat, and health.

They’re an affectionate breed who are devoted to their human family but can be aggressive to other dogs, even if their opponent is three times their size.

The Jack Russell is generally one of the healthiest breeds around and therefore is often one of the cheapest to insure.

5. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, often known as a Staffie, was initially bred primarily for dog fighting, bull baiting and vermin control. This history has tainted their reputation slightly which is unfortunate because anyone who owns a Staffie will tell you they’re the most affectionate companion you could wish for.

Don’t let their muscular build fool you, they’re a big softy and make for a wonderful family pet that is intelligent, courageous and affectionate, particularly towards children.

Through recent years, their popularity has soured and they’re now one of the most regularly spotted pooches in the park.

Staffies can be difficult to train, so they require an experienced owner who can be consistent, confident, and firm, but is also loving.  Any prospective owners must also be prepared to provide at least 1 to 2 hours exercise every day. 

They can be known for having locking jaw they just don’t let go, their muscles are stronger and they fight with a different style and tactic.  They tend to hold and choke, as opposed to, “bite and bleed” the enemy,  it is highly unusual for them to be involved in bite incidents. (Lock jaw is a bigger topic and will be covered). 

6. Cockapoo

The cockapoo, a mix between the fun-loving Cocker Spaniel and the elegant Poodle, is one of the most popular crossbreeds available.

The cross between these two popular breeds created a dog of high intelligence with the spirit of a Poodle and the sturdiness, yet sweet temperament of a Cocker Spaniel; all traits that make them a perfect family pet.

As with all crossbreeds, you never know what you will get with a Cockapoo puppy. You may well have an active dog with an abundance of energy, or they might be a much more relaxed pup who just wants to snuggle all day. Whichever you get, they’re always packed full of love and seem to want nothing else but to live life to the full and spend every minute with their humans.

The Cockapoo is the perfect choice for first time owners as they’re fairly easy to train, only require 15 – 30 minute walks each day, and they don’t need a huge amount of grooming.

7. French Bulldog

The French Bulldog, or the Frenchie, are miniature, fun-loving bundles of fun and joy with an infectious personality and adorable love of life.

The popularity of the Frenchie is increasing year on year and it doesn’t show any sign of stopping. This is thanks to their comical personality, loving nature and unique appearance.

They love to be around humans, especially those they consider ‘their’ humans, but they can be very territorial with other pets.

One defining feature of the French Bulldog is their stubbornness; one minute they could be demanding your full attention and the next they will completely ignore your commands like you’re not even there.

Despite their stubbornness, their intelligence and eagerness to please does mean they can respond to training well, so long as you are consistent and keep it entertaining.

8. Border Collie

The Border Collie is an incredibly intelligent breed that was initially bred for herding livestock in the Scottish Borders, so if you’ve ever seen or imagined a sheep dog, chances are it was a Border Collie.

This heritage means they’re obedient and full of energy, so they require a huge amount of exercise; over 2 hours a day if possible. This will keep them stimulated and healthy.

Their affection and loyalty also make them a gorgeous addition to any family, even those with young children and other dogs. Owners must bear in mind though that they’re very sensitive and don’t like to live in a chaotic household.

They require an experienced owner who can give them the attention and exercise they require and they don’t react well to being left alone, so they shouldn’t be considered by anyone who must leave the house empty each day.

9. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a very affectionate companion breed that boasts a gorgeous coat and a playful attitude.

This loyal, loving dog is the perfect addition to any family and their comical antics will keep you entertained for hours until they’re ready to roll up on your lap.

The Shih Tzu is a good choice for novice owners, they can adapt to any home environment, and they’re not overly active, so they don’t require long daily walks.

Any prospective Shih Tzu owners should be aware that their gorgeous coat comes at the cost of regular grooming to keep it in good condition and looking adorable.

10. Chihuahua

The chihuahua is one of the most unique looking dog breeds around and they’re officially the smallest dog breed in the world, but they have one of the biggest personalities you will find in any animal.

Chihuahuas are full of charisma, charm, and energy, making them the perfect companion who loves to spend every second they can with their human.

Whilst they’re incredibly loving to those they know, they’re also suspicious of any they don’t. They’re also seemingly unaware of their size and will stand up to any dog, bringing real meaning to the saying ‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog’.

They require minimal grooming or exercise and their intelligence makes them easy to train even for agility and obedience competitions. This makes them a fine choice for any first-time owners.

Negatives

Those who know us, know we are not negative at Rose Cottage.  All of our team are very happy go lucky and try and bring some sunshine to yours and your dogs day.

But we are also always honest.  So we have to tell you that all dogs have some traits that don’t suit everyone.  It is really important you know all the facts before bringing your new doggie/baby into your family home.

For now we are sticking with a brief over view, but if you would like to delve a little deeper into breeds and their needs to make sure that breed is right for you, click here.

Only a little info…

I hope this has helped give a little bit of information on a few of the different dog breeds.  As we know there are 100’s of different breeds of dogs.  

Lots of love

As always this is all said with love, but we like to share all we can with you.

Until next time…

Daw, Lilly and Tucker

 

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