Which Dog Breed Would Make the Best Pet?
Dogs make excellent pets and truly are a man's best friend.
My lifelong ownership of dogs began at age eight and has continued to the present time - a span of sixty-five years.
During that time I have owned several different breeds and am writing this article based upon my experience, claiming no special ability in training or caring for them.
Each dog I've owned had its own unique personality and at the same time manifested its expected breed characteristics.
All were wonderful pets and companions, brought me a great deal of joy and I've never regretted owning any of them.
Most of my dogs have been AKC (American Kennel Club) registered purebreds, some were purebreds without AKC papers, and one of my two present pet dogs is a mixed breed.
The American Kennel Club recognizes at least one hundred forty-six breeds.
I have previously owned five different breeds as pets.
An English Cocker Spaniel and Weimaraner from the AKC Sporting breeds.
A miniature Dachshund from the Hound Group and a Dalmatian and Miniature Apricot Poodle from the Non-Sporting breeds.
The pets I own now are an eight year old AKC registered Welsh Terrier named "Oliver" purchased when he was just a puppy and "Alex" a less than one year old long-haired Chihuahua and Papillon mixed breed from the Toy Group.
They get along well together and I love them both.
Featured In This Article - The English Cocker Spaniel My first pet dog, a jet black English Cocker Spaniel puppy named "Inky" was given to me as a Christmas present on December 25, 1948.
I was eight years old.
He was a perfect companion for me, had a gentle nature, loved to play, protected me and in our earlier years together slept under the covers with me in my bed at night.
Bright and intelligent, he was easily trained to "potty" outside and for treats would sit up, roll over and do many other tricks.
When first given to me we lived in a northern area where it snowed in the winter and Inky's long hair was suitable.
But when we later moved to Florida, he found the weather quite warm.
True to his breed, he was a retriever and loved to go with my Dad and me duck hunting.
Retrieving game from the water was no problem for him and he enjoyed doing it.
His retrieving ability led to his ultimately death at age eight.
While we were out hunting in Florida my Dad noticed a rattlesnake several feet ahead of us and shot it with his shotgun.
Trained to retrieve anything my Dad shot, Inky immediately ran to retrieve the snake.
Although dying, the snake managed to bite him.
Inky was still alive when we got him to the veterinarian but died later that evening.
I grieved over his death, but as noted by my Dad he died doing what he loved to do - go hunting and retrieve the kill.
A reluctant hunter, it was something I did to please my father.
I don't recall going hunting again after losing Inky.
When remembering Inky and the good times we shared I still feel his loss.
He was a wonderful pet dog and I loved him very much.
Conclusion Is an English Cocker Spaniel puppy right for you? Only you can answer that question, but one thing is sure if you choose that breed you'll have a pet dog that is talented, trainable, protective, loyal and loveable.
You could do a lot worse.
© 2013 Douglas M.
Midgley, J.
D.
All Rights Reserved Worldwide
My lifelong ownership of dogs began at age eight and has continued to the present time - a span of sixty-five years.
During that time I have owned several different breeds and am writing this article based upon my experience, claiming no special ability in training or caring for them.
Each dog I've owned had its own unique personality and at the same time manifested its expected breed characteristics.
All were wonderful pets and companions, brought me a great deal of joy and I've never regretted owning any of them.
Most of my dogs have been AKC (American Kennel Club) registered purebreds, some were purebreds without AKC papers, and one of my two present pet dogs is a mixed breed.
The American Kennel Club recognizes at least one hundred forty-six breeds.
I have previously owned five different breeds as pets.
An English Cocker Spaniel and Weimaraner from the AKC Sporting breeds.
A miniature Dachshund from the Hound Group and a Dalmatian and Miniature Apricot Poodle from the Non-Sporting breeds.
The pets I own now are an eight year old AKC registered Welsh Terrier named "Oliver" purchased when he was just a puppy and "Alex" a less than one year old long-haired Chihuahua and Papillon mixed breed from the Toy Group.
They get along well together and I love them both.
Featured In This Article - The English Cocker Spaniel My first pet dog, a jet black English Cocker Spaniel puppy named "Inky" was given to me as a Christmas present on December 25, 1948.
I was eight years old.
He was a perfect companion for me, had a gentle nature, loved to play, protected me and in our earlier years together slept under the covers with me in my bed at night.
Bright and intelligent, he was easily trained to "potty" outside and for treats would sit up, roll over and do many other tricks.
When first given to me we lived in a northern area where it snowed in the winter and Inky's long hair was suitable.
But when we later moved to Florida, he found the weather quite warm.
True to his breed, he was a retriever and loved to go with my Dad and me duck hunting.
Retrieving game from the water was no problem for him and he enjoyed doing it.
His retrieving ability led to his ultimately death at age eight.
While we were out hunting in Florida my Dad noticed a rattlesnake several feet ahead of us and shot it with his shotgun.
Trained to retrieve anything my Dad shot, Inky immediately ran to retrieve the snake.
Although dying, the snake managed to bite him.
Inky was still alive when we got him to the veterinarian but died later that evening.
I grieved over his death, but as noted by my Dad he died doing what he loved to do - go hunting and retrieve the kill.
A reluctant hunter, it was something I did to please my father.
I don't recall going hunting again after losing Inky.
When remembering Inky and the good times we shared I still feel his loss.
He was a wonderful pet dog and I loved him very much.
Conclusion Is an English Cocker Spaniel puppy right for you? Only you can answer that question, but one thing is sure if you choose that breed you'll have a pet dog that is talented, trainable, protective, loyal and loveable.
You could do a lot worse.
© 2013 Douglas M.
Midgley, J.
D.
All Rights Reserved Worldwide