Dog Q&A

The question “What dog breed should I get?” reminds me of a situation with a family in our neighbourhood some time ago. I wish they could have taken a dog breed quiz, such as the one below, before adopting their new puppy. Why?

Well, their personality, their living arrangements, their kids, their understanding of dog parenting were all at odds with the type of dog they chose. Mind you the dog was gorgeous. It was a mix, but it was one of the most beautiful puppies you could imagine and oh so playful.

The excitement that a cute little puppy brings was certainly there at the beginning. But it lasted less than a month. It wasn’t long before the puppy was left outside, all alone, for long hours at a time.

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There are many reasons why dogs bark at night. I’m sure this comes as no surprise. But that answer doesn’t help. You will have arrived at this page because you are looking for a solution.

For many dog owners, the barking comes as a surprise. They have been travelling along nicely with their resident canine. When I say ‘nicely’, I mean quietly, with very little barking after sunset. So why now? Their question is more likely to be:

Why Is My Dog Barking at Night All of a Sudden?

If you own a Beagle, perhaps you can identify with the coffee mug message below.

Beagle Barking Logic Coffee Mug
by doggination

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Do you know what breed your dog is? Are you sure, or is there an element of doubt? And why would it matter? Perhaps a dog DNA test could be the answer for you. I can think of a few different scenarios in which dog owners might wish they could be more certain of their dog’s breed.

Perhaps you have recently bought a puppy from a breeder. A few weeks later, the puppy’s physical traits are starting to make you wonder if he is indeed a purebred.

On the other hand, perhaps you have adopted a dog from a shelter and want to understand the lineage in order to provide the best possible care and training.

Or, maybe, you are just fed up with not being able to tell people your dog’s heritage. Remember those other dog owners you meet in the park? Conversation invariably leads to “So what is your dog?” Of course, they are referring to his/her breed.

If you know that you do in fact own a Maltese or a Poodle or a Cocker Spaniel, then there is no problem.

However, if you are unsure exactly what breed or cross-breed your dog is, then there are a few solutions you could try.

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