Far too often, people don't do the research like our friend Tracy is showing here.

People need to realize that even domesticated animals are indeed ANIMALS. They have natural instincts, curiosities, and behaviors that are either controlled or if left unchecked can just continue to grow just as they would if they were wild animals. Dogs have certain inate instincts already hardwired into their brain that makes them who they are. Sometimes that's good, sometimes not so good. If you don't recognize those dominant traits BEFORE bringing this cute and cuddly puppy home, you may be in for a big surprise when he/she is not so small later on.

I don't normally "buy" dogs. I normally rescue them from the pound. I've never had a single issue with that. The only exception was when I chose a dog for not only companion but also guard duty. I chose to go with a full blooded, and unfortunately expensive, German Sheppard. He was chosen after we researched his bloodline and his breeder. I even spoke to the breeder, who is in KY, and she sent me not only the info I requested but also additional info that she thought I would find helpful. I did. Max is a very loving and playful part of our family. He's only 10 mos old now, but already very protective. He's going on basic instincts and the small amount of training we have started. I want him to be protective. I want him to bite IF needed to. He also KNOWS who is in charge at home, and that's everyone else but him. We feed him well. We constantly play with him. He even sleeps at the foot of our bed. I want him to have strong bonds with all our family members, especially the kids and my wife. Why? Because when I'm not at home, I want Max to put his life on the line to protect my family just as I would and for the same reasons I would. So he has to bond with all of us the same way.

The point is that HOW you raise a dog is a big part of the equation, but also knowing where the dog came from (although this is sometimes impossible) and knowing what that breeds perpensities are will go a long way towards netting you the results you want. If you want a dog that noone wants to be around, that's easy to do. Just treat the animal like crap and there you go. If you want an animal that people look at and go "wow, what an awesome dog", then that takes a lot of effort. Effort some people are not willing to put in, therefore they deserve the results.

My patented long ass .