101 Things to Know Before Getting a Dog. Susan Ewing M.

competition, there’s not much that these dogs can’t do.

      There are a variety of coat types in this group, but none needs much professional care unless you’re planning to show your dog. Cocker Spaniel coats have gotten thicker and longer in the show ring, but if you aren’t showing your Cocker, you can keep his coat much shorter.

      The Labrador Retriever has been the number-one breed in terms of AKC registrations for decades, and it’s easy to see why. Labs have short, easy-care coats and come in black, chocolate, and yellow. They are family-friendly and, at 55 to 80 pounds, are sturdy enough to enjoy a bit of roughhousing with children. They’ll happily play fetch for hours, join you for a swim, or retrieve a duck. Most are good with other pets as well. Hip and elbow dysplasia are a concern, as is progressive retinal atrophy, and some Labs may be susceptible to skin allergies. Life expectancy is ten to thirteen years.

      Vizsla puppy

      It’s no surprise that Golden Retrievers are also among the top AKC breeds. There’s more grooming involved with the long golden coat, which can range from a pale yellow to a deep gold that’s almost red, but you can do the brushing yourself. Goldens love people and are willing to please, making them popular in the obedience ring. Like the Labrador, they’ll play for hours and then be happy to curl up at your feet. As long as they can be near you, they’re happy.

      Unfortunately, many different types of cancers seem to attack Goldens, and heart disease, specifically subaortic stenosis, is also prevalent, so you should have your dog’s heart checked annually. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common. The breed’s life span is ten to twelve years.

      The German Shorthaired Pointer is a popular, good-looking, energetic dog with a short, close coat in liver and white. These dogs need exercise, so they’re good choices for joggers. If you can’t give them the exercise they need, you’d better choose another breed. They make good watchdogs because they are protective and will let you know if they think something’s suspicious. They weigh between 45 and 70 pounds.

      While hip dysplasia can show up in any breed, it is less prevalent in the German Shorthaired Pointer than in many others. Reputable breeders will perform DNA testing for an eye disease called cone degeneration to ensure that they do not pass this disease on. Some German Shorthaired Pointers experience entropion, a condition in which the eyelid turns inward, causing the eyelashes to scratch the cornea. Fortunately, this can be corrected with surgery.

      The Brittany, at 30–45 pounds, is an easy-to-groom bundle of love who is eager to join in just about any activity. A Brittany will enthusiastically jog, play fetch, or race with you around an agility course. If you’re a hunter, he will happily be your partner in the field. As a bonus, the breed’s white-and-orange or white-and-liver coat makes it a handsome addition to the family. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and cataracts, and the breed’s life span is between twelve and fourteen years.

      If you want joy and bounce in your dog, another good choice is the English Springer Spaniel. Weighing 35–50 pounds, the Springer can be an active partner in the field, on your daily runs, on the agility course, or in the obedience ring. The breed’s coat comes in liver and white or black and white and needs only occasional brushing to keep it looking its best.

      In addition to hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy, Springers are susceptible to cataracts and glaucoma, as well as disc disease. Also on their list of health concerns are heart disease, epilepsy, and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency is a genetic disease, causing affected dogs to become weak and lethargic, but, fortunately, there is a test for this condition. Before buying your puppy, make sure that the breeder has tested the parents and hasn’t bred two carriers. A Springer’s lifespan is between twelve and fourteen years.

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      Terrier Group

      Among the AKC’s Terriers are:

      Airedale Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Scottish Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Border Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cesky Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Irish Terrier, Russell Terrier

      Almost all of the terriers originated in the British Isles, and the majority of terriers has a harsh, wiry outer coat and a softer undercoat, offering good protection against both harsh weather and against the animals they were bred to hunt. The terriers that have short, smooth coats are the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, and Smooth Fox Terrier. The American Hairless Terrier comes in a hairless and a coated variety, and Parson Russell Terriers and Russell Terriers come in smooth and wire coats. Bedlingtons have woolly coats, making them look a bit like lambs, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers have, as their name suggests, a softer coat.

      The name “terrier” comes from the Latin terra, meaning “earth,” and these dogs were bred to go to ground after rats, mice, fox, and badger. In the United States, they’ll happily dig out a woodchuck. Most of these dogs make good watchdogs, and all of them, regardless of size, are fearless. Terriers are intelligent, but they can also have a stubborn streak, and they may not always get along with other dogs or with cats. If you have small pets, like guinea pigs or hamsters, make sure they’re in secure housing and the dog can’t reach them.

      Terriers being groomed for the show ring have their coats stripped, or hand plucked. Pets will need regular grooming appointments. Some people shave their terriers’ coats, and this changes the texture considerably. If you’re not showing your dog, this isn’t a catastrophe, but it does diminish the weatherproof qualities of the coat.

      The Miniature Schnauzer is one of the most popular dogs in the Terrier Group. This compact little dog stands between 12 and 14 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 11 and 20 pounds. He loves being with his owners and is very energetic. If you’re interested in competitive events, consider this breed; Miniature Schnauzers are great for earthdog trials and agility, among other sports.

      Health concerns include progressive retinal atrophy and von Willebrand’s disease, so make sure that the puppy’s parents have been tested for these conditions. Miniature Schnauzers may also be affected by a condition called urolithiasis, which can cause kidney stones. Your dog may require surgery, and your vet may advise you to put your dog on a special diet to help decrease the chance of stones forming. Congenital megaesophagus is a condition that affects the esophagus. Affected dogs can accidentally inhale food and water into their lungs, which can lead to pneumonia. Comedone syndrome is also known as “Schnauzer bumps,” nicknamed after the breed it mainly affects. These bumps are blackheads and scabs that form on the dogs’ back, sometimes leading to hair loss. This condition can be managed with medicated shampoos or wipes. The Miniature Schnauzer’s life span is twelve to fourteen years.

      Bedlington Terrier

      West Highland White Terriers are solid, compact dogs weighing between 15 and 22 pounds and standing about 10 inches high at the shoulder. Originally, they were considered the white version of the Scottish Terrier. Westies are energetic and will definitely let their owners know if someone’s at the door or if there’s a squirrel in the yard. Some health problems include luxating patellas, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, dry eye, Addison’s disease (a disease of the adrenal glands), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a.k.a.Westie lung disease). In the latter disease, the air sacs and connective tissue in the lungs become inflamed and scarred, which causes progressive breathing problems. The breed’s life span is fifteen to twenty years.

      Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are a bit bigger than many of the terriers, standing between 16 and 18 inches at the shoulder and weighing 30 to 40 pounds. They need a bit more grooming and exercise than most other terriers, but like all terriers, they love the chase. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, Addison’s