A Perfect Match

Although you may have a certain breed in mind, be aware that you should never choose a companion by looks alone.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) divides dogs into seven classifications: nonsporting, sporting, terrier, herding, hound, working and toy.

Dogs in the sporting group are active, well-rounded dogs that make good companions. Members of this group include retrievers (figure B), pointers, setters and spaniels.

Dogs in the terrier group (figure C) vary widely in size, from 11-pound Norfolk terriers to 50-pound Airedales. Terriers were originally bred to hunt and kill vermin, and usually have little tolerance for other animals, including dogs.

The herding group (figure D) is the newest AKC classification and was split off from the working group in 1983. The group includes corgis, collies and sheepdogs. They have a remarkable ability to control the movement of other animals and they've been known to herd members of their family, especially children. Herding dogs are very intelligent, respond well to training and make excellent companions.

Dogs in the hound group (figure E) were all bred for hunting, and have an acute sense of smell that they use to track game and the occasional prison escapee. The hound group is another very diverse lot, and includes everything from beagles and dachshunds to greyhounds and bloodhounds. Some have the ability to produce a haunting, baying sound, so make sure this is something you can appreciate or at least tolerate before bringing home such a hound.

The AKC notes that small breeds are found in every group, not just the toy group, and advises everyone to consider a smaller dog when looking for a new companion. Smaller breeds are easier to care for, are generally less expensive and create smaller messes than larger dogs. Despite how well a dog is trained, it is always easier to control a 10-pound dog than a 100-pound brute.