Characteristics: General Health

Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, such as hip dysplasia. This doesn't mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they're at an increased risk. If you're buying a puppy, it's a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you're interested in, so you can ask the breeder about the physical health of your potential pup's parents and other relatives.

-- Select Characteristic -- Affectionate with family Amount of shedding Apartment appropriate Cold tolerance Compatible with kids Dog friendly Drooling potential Ease at being home alone Ease of training Easy to groom Energy level Friendly toward strangers General health Good for novice owners Heat tolerance Intelligence Mouthiness Need for exercise Playfulness Potential for weight gain Predatory tendencies Sensitivity Tendency to bark or howl Vigor Wanderlust Watchdog ability

See Full Breed Characteristic List