Understanding the Connection Between Dog Behaviour and Breeds
When it comes to choosing a dog or understanding your current companion, one of the important things to consider is their breed—or, in the case of mixed breeds, their breed mix. While every dog is an individual, breed tendencies can provide valuable insight into their behaviour, energy levels, and training needs.
Read on to discover more about you dog's breed and to claim your exclusive discount with our Wisdom Panel partner offer.
Why Breed Matters
Dog breeds were developed for specific purposes—herding, hunting, guarding, companionship, and more. These original roles have shaped not only the physical characteristics of each breed but also their instinctual behaviours. For example:
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Border Collies were bred to herd livestock, so they tend to be highly intelligent, energetic, have a strong prey drive if not properly channelled at an early age and can have big feelings about life.
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Labrador Retrievers, originally bred as hunting companions, are known for their friendly nature and love of water but can be very high energy if from a working line.
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Chihuahuas, bred primarily as companions, can be deeply loyal and are often wary of strangers.
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Terriers, developed to hunt, often display high energy, determination, and a strong prey drive.
Understanding these natural tendencies can help owners better meet their dog’s needs and avoid common behaviour problems caused by frustration or boredom.
Behaviour Patterns to Watch
Certain behaviours often correlate with specific breeds or breed types. Recognising these patterns can help you train more effectively and provide the right kind of stimulation:
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High-energy breeds (like Huskies or Pointers) need plenty of appropriate exercise: 2-3 mile slow runs in cool temperatures, lots of sniffing walks and mental challenges like learning basic agility or scent-work to prevent destructive behaviours.
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Guarding breeds (like German Shepherds or Rottweilers) may show protective instincts and benefit from early, consistent socialisation and a suitable outlet for instinctual behaviours such as the need to bite.
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Toy breeds (like Shih Tzus or Pomeranians) often love human interaction but may struggle with resource guarding or separation anxiety if left alone without suitable training.
Mixed Breeds and Personality
What about mixed breeds? While they don’t always display predictable breed traits, behavioural DNA testing and observation may still reveal inherited tendencies.
Regardless of pedigree, dogs thrive when their environment supports their natural inclinations. This is why an accurate DNA test via Wisdom Panel may help you understand some of your dog's traits!
Supporting Behaviour with Tools and Training
Regardless of breed, all dogs benefit from positive reinforcement training, routine, and appropriate mental stimulation and physical exercise. In some cases, ADAPTIL can be a beneficial support to create a sense of comfort and security— and help ease breed-related challenges like anxiety or stress. For example, a nervous Chihuahua may feel more relaxed wearing an ADAPTIL Collar in social situations, while a high-strung working breed may respond better to training when feeling more at ease.
The more you know about your doggo, the easier it can be to understand them!
Who are Wisdom Panel?
Their team of scientists and vets have spent decades developing the most accurate pet DNA test. Because every pet deserves to have their whole story told.
They collaborated with leading academic institutions, innovative research labs, and Banfield Pet Hospital™ to make our process exceptionally precise, fast, and affordable.
5+ million pet parents have trusted Wisdom Panel™ insights to help them make decisions about the health and wellness of their four-legged family members.
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For more tips on understanding dog behaviour and promoting emotional well-being, why not check out our other blogs and articles online? And while you’re there, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest info!
