Breed Characteristics:
Contrary to popular belief, small size doesnt necessarily an apartment dog make. Plenty of small dogs are too high-energy and yappy for life in a high-rise. Being quiet, low energy, fairly calm indoors, and polite with the other residents are all good qualities in an apartment dog. And you can find an awesome crate for your dog here to give them a little more personal space in your apartment.
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. Theyre also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Dogs who are highly sensitive, independent thinking, or assertive may be harder for a first-time dog parent to manage. Youll get your best match if you take your dog-owning experience into account as you choose your new pooch.
If youre new to dog parenting, take a look at 101 Dog Tricks and read up on how to train your dog!
Some dogs will let a stern reprimand roll off their backs, while others take even a dirty look to heart. Low-sensitivity dogs, also called “easygoing,” “tolerant,” “resilient,” and even “thick-skinned,” can better handle a noisy, chaotic household, a louder or more assertive owner, and an inconsistent or variable routine. Do you have young kids, throw lots of dinner parties, play in a garage band, or lead a hectic life? Go with a low-sensitivity dog.
Some breeds bond very closely with their family and are more prone to worry or even panic when left alone by their owner. An anxious dog can be very destructive–barking, whining, chewing, and otherwise causing mayhem. These breeds do best when a family member is home during the day or if you can take the dog to work.
Breeds with very short coats and little or no undercoat or body fat, such as Greyhounds, are vulnerable to the cold. Dogs with a low cold tolerance need to live inside in cool climates and should have a jacket or sweater for chilly walks. You can find a great jacket for your dog here!
Dogs with thick, double coats are more vulnerable to overheating. So are breeds with short noses, like Bulldogs or Pugs, since they cant pant as well to cool themselves off. If you want a heat-sensitive breed, your dog will need to stay indoors with you on warm or humid days, and youll need to be extra cautious about exercising your dog in the heat.
Some breeds are independent and aloof, even if theyve been raised by the same person since puppyhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isnt the only factor that goes into affection levels; dogs who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.
Being gentle with children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a blasé attitude toward running, screaming children are all traits that make a kid-friendly dog. You may be surprised by whos on that list: Fierce-looking Boxers are considered good with children, as are American Staffordshire Terriers (which are considered Pit Bulls). Small, delicate, and potentially snappy dogs such as Chihuahuas arent always so family-friendly.
**All dogs are individuals. Our ratings are generalizations, and theyre not a guarantee of how any breed or individual dog will behave. Dogs from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences, training on how to get along with kids, and personality. No matter what the breed or breed type, all dogs have strong jaws, sharp pointy teeth, and may bite in stressful circumstances. Young children and dogs of any breed should always be supervised by an adult and never left alone together, period.
Friendliness toward dogs and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some dogs may attack or try to dominate other dogs, even if theyre love-bugs with people; others would rather play than fight; and some will turn tail and run. Breed isnt the only factor. Dogs who lived with their littermates and mother until at least six to eight weeks of age and who spent lots of time playing with other dogs during puppyhood, are more likely to have good canine social skills.
Stranger-friendly dogs will greet guests with wagging tails and nuzzles; others are shy, indifferent, or even aggressive. However, no matter what the breed, a dog who was socialized and exposed to lots of different types, ages, sizes, and shapes of people as a puppy will respond better to strangers as an adult. Remember that even friendly dogs should stay on a good, strong leash like this one in public!
If youre going to share your home with a dog, youll need to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. Some dogs shed year-round, some “blow” seasonally, some do both, and some shed hardly at all. If youre a neatnik, youll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. To help keep your home a little cleaner, you can find a great de-shedding tool here!
Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm and leave big, wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. If youve got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine; but if youre a neatnik, you may want to choose a dog who rates low in the drool department.
Some breeds are brush-and-go dogs; others require regular bathing, clipping, and other grooming just to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a dog who needs a lot of grooming, or the money to pay someone else to do it.
Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, such as hip dysplasia. This doesnt mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that theyre at an increased risk.
If youre adopting a puppy, its a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed youre interested in. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has information about the physical health of your potential pups parents and other relatives.
Some breeds have hearty appetites and tend to put on weight easily. As in humans, being overweight can cause health problems in dogs. If you pick a breed thats prone to packing on pounds, youll need to limit treats, make sure they get enough exercise, and measure out their daily food servings into regular meals rather than leaving food out all the time.
Ask your vet about your dogs diet and what they recommend for feeding your pooch to keep them at a healthy weight. Weight gain can lead to other health issues or worsen problems like arthritis.
Dogs come in all sizes, from the worlds smallest pooch, the Chihuahua, to the towering Great Dane, how much space a dog takes up is a key factor in deciding if theyre compatible with you and your living space. Large dog breeds might seem overpowering and intimidating, but some of them are incredibly sweet! Take a look and find the right sized dog for you!
Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt (such as the word “sit”), an action (sitting), and a consequence (getting a treat) very quickly. Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training.
Many breeds are intelligent but approach training with a “Whats in it for me?” attitude, in which case youll need to use rewards and games to teach them to want to comply with your requests.
Dogs who were bred for jobs that require decision making, intelligence, and concentration, such as herding livestock, need to exercise their brains, just as dogs who were bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. If they dont get the mental stimulation they need, theyll make their own work–usually with projects you wont like, such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.
Common in most breeds during puppyhood and in Retriever breeds at all ages, mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, fairly painless bite that doesnt puncture the skin). Mouthy dogs are more likely to use their mouths to hold or “herd” their human family members, and they need training to learn that its fine to gnaw on chew toys, but not on people. Mouthy breeds tend to really enjoy a game of fetch, as well as a good chew on a toy thats been stuffed with kibble and treats.
(Picture Credit: Haydn West – PA s/PA s via Getty s)
Dogs who were bred to hunt, such as Terriers, have an inborn desire to chase–and sometimes kill–other animals. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, and perhaps even cars, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and youll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally arent a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally wont chase, but youll probably have a hard time getting their attention when there are birds flying by.
Some breeds sound off more often than others. When choosing a breed, think about how often the dog vocalizes with barks or howls. If youre considering a hound, would you find their trademark howls musical or maddening? If youre considering a watchdog, will a city full of suspicious “strangers” put your pup on permanent alert? Will the local wildlife literally drive your dog wild? Do you live in housing with noise restrictions? Do you have neighbors nearby? Then you may wish to choose a quieter dog.
Some breeds are more free-spirited than others. Nordic dogs such as Siberian Huskies were bred to range long distances, and given the chance, theyll take off after anything that catches their interest. And many hounds simply must follow their noses–or that bunny that just ran across the path–even if it means leaving you behind.
High-energy dogs are always ready and waiting for action. Originally bred to perform a canine job of some sort, such as retrieving game for hunters or herding livestock, they have the stamina to put in a full workday. They need a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, and theyre more likely to spend time jumping, playing, and investigating any new sights and smells.
Low-energy dogs are the canine equivalent of a couch potato, content to doze the day away. When picking a breed, consider your own activity level and lifestyle, and think about whether youll find a frisky, energetic dog invigorating or annoying.
A vigorous dog may or may not have high energy, but everything they do, they do with vigor: they strain on the leash (until you train them not to), try to plow through obstacles, and even eats and drinks with great big gulps. These dynamos need lots of training to learn good manners, and may not be the best fit for a home with young kids or someone whos elderly or frail. A low-vigor dog, on the other hand, has a more subdued approach to life.
Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Others need daily, vigorous exercise, especially those that were originally bred for physically demanding jobs, like herding or hunting.
Without enough exercise, these breeds may put on weight and vent their pent-up energy in ways you dont like, such as barking, chewing, and digging. Breeds that need a lot of exercise are good for outdoorsy, active people, or those interested in training their dog to compete in a high-energy dog sport, such as agility.
Some dogs are perpetual puppies — always begging for a game — while others are more serious and sedate. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog.
The founders of the Shorty Bull are Jamie Sweet and Amy Krogman. The Shorty Bull is a new line of bulldogs that are being bred in the miniature size. Unlike a lot of other bully breeds bred down in size, the Shorty Bulldog does not contain Boston Terrier or Pug in its lines. These dogs are being bred for their working ability and physical traits and not solely on looks.
The Shorty Bull is a compact and muscular bulldog of small stature. The head is round with typical bulldog features. Eyes are set far apart and should not protrude. Jaw should be curved, not straight. Nose should be turned up slightly and may be black or liver colored. Dudley noses are a cosmetic fault. Should have an undershot bite, but not excessively undershot. The eyes may be any color, although brown is the preferred eye color. The ears are cropped or dropped. Rose or erect ears are considered a fault. The body should be short from the back of the neck to the tail. The chest should be broad for height and have depth reaching to the elbow. A compact look is desired. The width of the front quarters and hindquarters should be proportionate, not lending to a narrow rear, and the chest may be broader than the rear. Very narrow hindquarters are considered a fault. The shoulders and rump should be well rounded and well-muscled, lending to an appearance of strength. There may be a slight rise over the loins. The legs are heavy boned and in direct proportion to the body. Long legs in proportion to the body or fine bones are a fault. Cow-hocked or pigeon-toed is a fault. The dog should have tight feet and straight pasterns. Splayed feet are a fault. The tail is short, either docked or screwed. All coat colors accepted except merle or black and tan.
The Shorty Bull is a good-natured, even-tempered, stable dog. This breed needs leadership and will not thrive without it. When it senses an owner is meek or passive toward it, it will become fairly willful. These dogs respond best to an owner who is calm, but firm, consistent and patient. Proper human to canine communication is essential. Very willing to please. Makes a great companion and is ready and willing to work.
The Shorty Bull is more agile and athletic than the English Bulldog. It needs to be taken for a daily long walk where it is heeling beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dogs mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human.
Shorties will normally adapt to any living situation, whether house or apartment. Though it would prefer to sleep inside with its family, if a Shorty is kept in a fenced yard, the fence will need to be quite tall; these dogs are excellent jumpers and climbers, and will easily escape over a short fence.
Even-tempered, playful, loyal, and agile, the Shorty Bull is a breed known for its cuteness – in personality as well as appearance. This breed is normally good-natured and not aggressive, and makes an exceptional family pet; as is its breeding, a Shorty usually has a strong work ethic, and tends to be focused and alert. These dogs love to play, and often show their enthusiasm by bouncing or jumping around, and make good watchdogs because they tend to bark frequently (but not overly so). Theyre fairly easily trained, though some Shorties – usually older dogs – may have dominance issues; experts suggest firm, consistent guidance to teach this breed proper behavior.
For people who wonder what breeds are included in a Shorty Bulls gene pool, the honest answer is that numerous breeds are in the makeup of many dogs sold as Shorty Bulls. The true Shorty Bull lines, which were originally developed by breed creators Jamie Sweet and Amy Krogman, are descended only from English Bulldogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and French Bulldogs.
Unfortunately, since the breeds initial creation around 2000, disreputable breeders have used small dogs of other breeds like Pit Bulls or American Bulldogs in their selective breeding, then sold the offspring as Shorty Bulls. While these “impostor” dogs might look exactly like true Shorty Bulls, theyre often markedly different in temperament, and may have behavioral problems. Any Shorty Bull owner who is curious about their dogs genetic makeup can contact a canine DNA testing service for more information.
The Shorty Bull has its origin in the U.S. state of Kansas. In the late twentieth century, a Kansan breeder named Jamie Sweet, who at that time owned dogs that participated in weight-pulling competitions, noticed that bulldogs of smaller stature fared exceptionally well in the contests; Sweet decided to develop a new bulldog breed that was small, possessed an even temperament, and had fewer health issues than did most bulldog lines. Over the next several years, Sweet, along with fellow dog breeder Amy Krogman, used selective breeding techniques to create a compact, powerful breed of bulldog; this they did by crossing Staffordshire Bull Terriers, English Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs, then choosing the smallest and healthiest of each litter to continue their crossbreeding. The pair arrived at what they considered a purebred Shorty Bull in the early 2000s.