Independent or Dependent - Which Breed Would Be Right for You?

If you are the type of person who loves attention, needs lots of people around you and hates to be alone, an independent breed of puppy or dog probably wouldn't be your best choice. On the other hand, if you were a person who prefers private time, and doesn't appreciate demands for your attention, a clingy, velcro dog would be extremely annoying and stressful.

So, how do you know which breed is best suited for your personality? Do your homework! Research breeds that can peacefully co-exist with your character and lifestyle!

Not all dogs in a breed classified as independent are independent, and vice-verse. However, you'll be knowledgeable on which breed or mix, might be the best one for you.

Independent Breeds

An independent puppy or dog doesn't mean it's not an affectionate or a wonderful companion. It simply means they are exceptionally content with their own company, and don't need to be constantly entertained by you. Most tightly bond with their person, and are very loyal and affectionate. Yet, like you, they appreciate their alone time. In most cases, the time you share is special, and is a higher quality of time spent interacting.

West Highland Terrier

Akita

Bull Mastiff

Many dogs in the Working category fit the independent profile. Independent dogs come in all shapes and sizes. They include, West Highland Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Akita, German Pinscher, Bull Mastiff, Shiba Inu, Chow-Chow, Neapolitan Mastiff, Akita Japanese Chin, plus many more.

Chow-Chow

Dependent Breeds

Shih Tzus

It's not just people who like to be the center of attention... all the time! There are breeds that thrive on nonstop human interaction. Some are over-the-edge loving. Others live for the sole purpose of amusing their people.

Boxer

Collie

Great Dane

Australian Shepherd

Typically, they are puppies or dogs that want to cling to you like Velcro. As ridiculous as it sounds, "out of sight, out of mind" is what they fear most! To them, there are no boundaries. They will faithfully and tirelessly follow you from room-to-room; not even drawing a line at the bathroom door.

Havanese

Maltese

If you don't mind a zillion interruptions, like being shadowed and adored, here are a few breeds you may want to consider. They include Boxers, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Great Danes, Australian Shepherd, Collies, American and English Mastiffs, Maltese, Havanese, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, plus several more.

Labrador Retriever

Bottom line: Each animal is unique!

Labrador Retriever

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Socialization is important for both types. There is no guarantee the puppies or dogs listed above fit the independent or dependent categorization, but it is a reasonable guide. To be fair to your pet and to yourself, do your homework to find the perfect one.

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What To Know About The Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd, also known as the Aussie, is an American dog (not Australian) whose roots date back to the 1840s, during the Gold Rush period. There is a lot to love about these intelligent, beautiful dogs. Discover just why by reading on!

Australian Shepherds were originally bred to herd sheep. Though this may not be their main occupation nowadays, they still have that dominant mindset. This makes training them rather difficult and in turn, not good for someone new to owning a dog. One must be firm and confident when training them and show them who the boss really is!

On average, a female stands between 18 and 21 inches tall, while a mall measures at 20 to 23 inches, at the shoulder. Females weigh in anywhere between 40 to 55 pounds and males weigh between 50 to 65 pounds.

Aussies are very energetic dogs and need to be frequently exercised. Ideally, you should not have one of these dogs if you do not have a spacious yard for them to run around in. Experts recommend at least 30 to 45 minutes or stimulating activity every day; you may want to throw a ball or Frisbee with them so they get out that energy. Since they have the desire to herd sheep in them, they will do whatever they can to get out of your yard, so be sure you have a secure fence! Also, they have a habit of nipping (as an instinct), so obedience class may be in the future! Once their manners are in check, they make great family pets, especially with little ones!

All Aussies are not unhealthy, but they are prone to certain health problems. Less serious problems with this breed include allergies, and distichiasis, while more serious problems include hip dysplasia, cancer, deafness, and epilepsy. It is important to be prepared, financially and emotionally, for these issues, should they arise.

Vegetarian Glucosamine
 for Hip Dysplasia

Caring for Australian Shepherds can be tricky. They need to be constantly groomed, as they do shed all year long. On the other hand, their water-resistant coat helps to protect them from all weather conditions, from rain and snow. It is crucial that you give them a good brushing at least once a week.

Now that you know all about the Australian Shepherd. Hopefully, this information will be of help to you.

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When it comes to obedience training, all dogs are not created equal. Many dogs are difficult to train and even some of the top 3 breeds that are easier to train can be a challenge for even the best dog trainer. Here, in no specific order, are the top 3 dog breeds that are easier to train than others.

Border Collie

Many a famous dog has been a Border Collie, with good reason. Border Collies are easy to train and generally pretty obedient. It is worthy to note that the females tend to be a bit easier to train than their male counterparts. Perhaps because females tend to be more nurturing.

German Shepherd

It's with good reason that police departments nationwide use German Shepherds, their K-9 units know how to train them and the dogs respond well to trainers and training methods. They can be very protective of the family yet gentle with young children. Renowned for their ability to run and capture criminals, this breed also makes an excellent family dog.

Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdogs offer up a lot of dog with a very gentle disposition. They are pretty easy going and very obedient. They love to romp and play and will often prefer the company of a child playing over an adult. They kind of meander or amble along and tend to take their sweet time doing so. They are very easy to teach to sit, lay down and shake hands. This breed tends to only bark at something serious such as a new dog in the area, a stranger or something else that is out of character for the area in which they live.

Runners Up

Two other breeds worthy of mention are the Golden Retriever and The Australian Shepherd. Both are fairly easy to train and can be great additions to most families if they are trained properly.

Every dog is able to learn do well with obedience training. However, the above mentioned breeds tend to learn more quickly and keep the skills that they have learned. Again, in all cases, the females of the breeds tended to learn more quickly and stick with their training. It's important that training begin as soon as the dog is brought home and if there are any issues, always seek the help of a professional trainer.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Which-3-Breeds-Are-Easiest-To-Obedience-Train?&id=8952875