Special Sub-Topic: A Day At The Dogs' Home Click Here To Play: A Day At The Dogs' Home

The first people that you meet are looking for a big dog, preferably with a medium to long coat. They want a fairly low energy dog and have no children or other pets to consider. They have a large house and a big garden. Which of the following dogs might you recommend?

Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees in the US). The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is less energetic than many other large breeds; such as the Newfoundland. The Border Terrier is a small dog, and the Great Dane has a short coat.

A young woman comes in next. She has had dogs before, and wants something that she can do agility, obedience and flyball with. Which of these dogs would probably suit her best?

Border Collie. Being extremely intelligent, the Border Collie's brain needs as much exercise as its body. They can make fantastic pets providing that they have a 'job' to do. This might mean obedience, agility or flyball, or it could be as simple as keeping the dog's brain occupied by teaching it tricks. (I know someone who has trained her dog to put the washing in the machine for her!) Border Collies have what is referred to as 'The Eye', an unwavering, hypnotic (sometimes disconcerting!) look that shows their strength of concentration. In a field full of sheep 'The Eye' is a useful herding tool, in a bored house pet it says 'Throw The Ball, Throw The Ball, Throw The Ball, Throw The Ball, Throw The Ball...' (Throwing the ball, by the way, will only increase the dog's determination!)

Your next visitor is interested in one of the home's puppies. She works for Guide Dogs For The Blind and is looking for a new recruit. Which of these puppies will you try and tempt her with?

Labrador Retreiver. While there are lots of dogs that can be (and have been) trained to do this kind of work, Labradors are the most commonly used breed.

Next comes a family. They are extremely experienced dog owners, and want a dog that will be good with their children (aged 9 and 11). You tell them you think you have the ideal dog. They are so renowned for being good with children that they are often nicknamed 'The Nanny Dogs'. The dog in question is what?

Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Although they (rightly or wrongly) have a reputation for being untrustworthy around other dogs (particularly if not well socialised at an early age) Staffs are generally great with children. German Shepherds and Border Collies can both be unnerved by the quick movements of children, which may result in snapping, and Chows, though they look like big cuddly teddy bears, rarely enjoy being treated as such.

Your next visitor is a man who wants a guard dog. He is a family man, so it is important that the dog will be good with those it knows, but he has a large estate, and wants to discourage intruders. Which of these breeds might be suitable?

Rhodesian Ridgeback. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is very intelligent, and highly trainable. They are generally loyal and affectionate to family members while being suspicious of strangers. Basenjis are barkless dogs, and unlikely to warn off intruders, Jack Russells may well be aggressive with strangers, but their size is unlikely to deter a serious intruder, and Siberian Huskies are extremely affectionate with everyone, including strangers, and are likely to greet an intruder with as much love and enthusiasm as they would their own family!

Phew, it's been a busy day so far, and you are glad of a break to put your feet up. While relaxing with a cup of coffee, your mind turns to a dog that has been in the home for quite some time. Mac is a German Shepherd Dog, almost one year old, and was brought in due to being over boisterous and occasionally showing a tendency towards aggression. You are sure that if Mac's energies could be channelled towards something, then he would do well, but up until now, it hadn't occurred to you what that could be. Now you think he might make a good what?

Police dog. German Shepherds are the most commonly used dog for police work. They are of a size to deter most criminals, highly intelligent and very trainable. They can be trained to do a number of jobs, including all of those on the list, but in Mac's case, with a history of aggression, he would be more likely to succeed at police work than any of the other choices.

A family come to see you next. They have two dogs already, and an 11 year old daughter who desperately wants a dog all of her own. They have a large house and an acre of land, so a high energy dog is not a problem. Obviously it must be good with other pets and children, but other than that, they really don't mind. Which of these dogs do you think might suit this family best?

Large Munsterlander. The Munsterlander is a gun dog originating from Germany. They are described as 'loyal, gentle and outgoing'. Munsterlanders can be large or small, with the large dogs standing at around 23-26 inches, while the small version is 20-22 inches high. Both large and small Munsterlanders are generally very patient with children and sociable with other pets. They can also be good guard dogs and have a tendency to be noisy. The Large Munsterlander has been recognised by the UK kennel club since 1985, but has yet to be recognised by the American Kennel Club. None of the other dogs mentioned are highly noted for being great with children and/or other animals.

Your next visitor is also interested in a puppy. He is a sporting man and wants a medium sized dog, capable of being trained to flush and retrieve. Which of these puppies do you show him?

Springer Spaniel. Red Setters and Weimaraners are also sporting dogs, but are both big dogs, and the Border Collie is far more at home in a field of sheep than flushing out game birds.

A retired couple come to see you next. They want a small companion that they can take for leisurely strolls about three times a day. A dog whose energy level is not too high, but will be active and fun loving is important. They have grandchildren, so it is important that the dog is 'child friendly'. Which of the following dogs might suit these people best?

Pug. Pugs generally have an even temperament, making them a good choice for families with children, and are playful and outgoing, without being high energy. However, there are health issues to consider; their squished noses can lead to breathing problems, their slightly bulgy eyes can be prone to injury and they can suffer from dislocating kneecaps and hip dysplasia. Chows and Papillons are not always good with children, and Samoyeds are not small dogs.

Phew, nearly home time. When the last person you see tells you what he wants, you are delighted. This dog has been in kennels for far too long just waiting for the right person, and here he is. He wants a dog that is independent and loves to run. He has a large enclosed garden for free running, and goes running himself twice a day, so even a dog that cannot be let off the lead would be fine. He likes medium to large sized dogs, and medium length coats. Which of these dogs do you hope he will take home?

Siberian Husky. Energy wise, all of these dogs would suit this man, however, the Siberian is the largest of these dogs, with a medium length coat, and the most difficult for you to home. Their independence does not appeal to everyone, and the fact that they are so often unreliable off the lead can pose a problem to most people. Luckily, the man and the dog take an instant liking to each other, and you finish your shift delighted to have had such a good day at work.