Karousel Hobby Farm

Are you thinking of getting a dog? Lately, I've been seeing an influx of people getting dogs and I wanted to share the importance of getting the right dog for ...you and/or your family. I've posted this before and I think it's so important in choosing the right dog for you so I am reposting in hopes of helping you choose the next dog for you. A lot of people tend to focus on the breed that they want and then colors/appearances instead of looking at what should be most important, the ENERGY of the dog FIRST. Your energy and lifestyle and THAN the breed. I often talk about energy because it's EXTREMELY important in choosing the right dog for you. A lot of people will choose a breed such as the German Shepherd because of their looks, loyalty and to protect. As most associate German Shepherds to cop dogs, believe it or not, not all German Shepherds are born to protect and not all should be given this job. In fact, in a litter of puppies, only 1 or 2 are born for this specific job. Which means there are usually far more middle and back of the pack dogs in a litter than front of the pack. You see, there are 3 pack positions in a pack. The front. The middle. And the back. The front of the pack dogs, are the natural leaders, the confidents, the protector. They are strong dogs mentally. They usually make great show dogs because of their undeniable confidence and also make great protection dogs for cops and personal protection. They are also known as the Alphas. The middle of the pack dogs, are the happy go lucky dogs, the social dogs. The ones that want everyone to get along and also the mediators between the front of the pack dogs and the back of the pack dogs. They are the most family oriented and best for most family setting and can make amazing therapy dogs. They are also known as the Betas. (Do not mistaken this for over excited dogs) And then, there is the back of the pack dogs. The alert dogs. The sensitive ones. They make great dogs for drug and bomb detection and seizure dogs due to their sensitivities. They are most of the time, the runt of the litters. They tend to only stick to one of the owners and are less prone to being social. They are also known as the Omegas. In a litter of puppies, you will get all 3 pack position dogs. Which means, getting a German Shepherd puppy because you want that breed as you associate them to be able to be your protector, isn't as simple as it sounds. What happends when you get a German Shepherd puppy that is a back of the pack with the intention of having it protect you/your family? You will get a dog that will be very insecure, anxious and even become very fearful because you are going against the nature of the dog and will in turn will create a very unbalanced dog. Which is why not only relying on breed is important. If you are looking for a protection German Shepherd, choose the front of the pack dog. If you are looking for a family oriented German Shepherd, choose the middle of the pack dog. If you are looking for a German Shepherd to help be of service such as for seizure alert, choose a back of the pack dog. With pack positions, also comes energy levels. There is low level energy, medium level and high energy dogs.. and even some very high level energy dogs. Choosing the right level of energy dog is also extremely important. You can also find all of these levels in every litter of dogs. Most family settings would benefit from a low to medium level energy dog. In a working dog setting, you would usually choose a high level energy dog. Which also means, while one may be interested in a typically lower energy breed, they may end up with a high level energy dog if they don't look at the dog for who that specific dog is and level of energy is and not only the breed. Or vice versa. Border collies are TYPICALLY high energy dogs, however, you can very well find a middle of the pack, medium level energy border collie in a litter which would be perfect for a family setting as long as there is rules, boundaries and limitations and daily exercise provided like any other breed. However, getting a high energy, front of the pack border collie in a family setting (which a family is usually low-medium level of energy) will be very hard to keep the dog fulfilled as they would mostly benefit from working on a farm where they are constantly on the move and working. And when a dog is not fulfilled, they usually display more breed traits such as herding for this specific case. The dog will be herding the children, vehicles and etc.. anything to find themselves a job to do what they are naturally born to do. And can develop anxiety if they are not able to do so and also, accumulate much pent up energy to where they become frustrated and become destructive. If you are a medium level energy person, it is preferable to get a low to medium level energy dog. Never a higher level energy than what you are. If you are a social and adventurous person, it is best to get a happy go lucky dog that is also as social. If you are adventurous and want protection get a front of the pack dog. If you are less social, adventurous but don't need the protection, but need the dog to be of service for any types of alert, get a back of the pack dog. Which is why I often hear, I've had a such and such breed before and they were nothing like this same such and such dog. You could have possibly had a middle of the pack, medium level energy dog of a certain breed before and it was the most perfect dog. And then you get the same exact breed and expect the same temperament as the other dog you had but it is completely the opposite as you now have a back of the pack dog and a very high energy dog. And lastly, it is also important to learn the nature of the breed and why it was created to ensure the dog is a right fit for your family for specific breed traits.

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Maki - This is a long coat ! En voulez vous du poils blanc!!

May you enjoy those walks with your pup as much as they enjoy them with you.

Our little clown having fun!!