Understanding Dog Breeds and Why a Peek A Poo Isn’t a Breed

It is believed that dogs began to haunt humans when we began to live in communities. It seemed that it was easier for a wolf to eat our garbage than forage for food on his own. They started liking us to be the first to get the good crap and thus a long time relationship was formed.

Then the dogs were bred to serve a specific purpose. In the Arctic, humans needed dogs to pull their sleds. In the hills of Ireland, dogs were needed to bring the sheep in from a land that was too treacherous for humans to walk. And so specific breeds began to emerge and it wasn’t until Victorian times in Britain that breed standards were recorded. Breed standards contain a list of traits that each dog must have in order to be considered that breed. The traits of a dog required to pull sleds in the dead of winter are very different from those of a dog required to herd sheep.

So why is it important?

When looking for a dog to adopt, your first thought should be to consider why you want a dog and the types of activities you and your dog will be sharing. All of this careful consideration will lead you to a specific set of traits that you want. Their required traits can be compared to the breed standard of all purebreds and a match can easily be made.

Make sure the breed you are considering is a real breed. There are several mixed breeds that have been mistaken for real breeds and the result can be detrimental. A Peek-A-Poo is said to be a cross between a Pekingese and a Poodle. Pekingese and Poodles are different breeds and have two different sets of traits. By crossing two different breeds, you’re essentially going to find yourself with a litter full of mutts. You could have a dog that has a short nose and doesn’t shed, or you could easily find yourself with a long-legged grooming nightmare.

The point is that these mixed breeds often find themselves in a shelter because they were not born “as advertised.” And if your goal is to make sure you get a dog that fits your lifestyle and your family, then it’s important to know what you’re getting. You always know what you’re getting when you adopt a purebred, that’s why they are purebred. With a mixed-breed dog, you never know, until it’s too late, and the only way out of the situation is a harrowing trip to the shelter.

Do your homework. Make sure you understand the breed before adopting. And you will have the most wonderful companion for life.