So you Want a Dog?
Internet Lesson Plan


Objective: Students will investigate dog breeds and their temperaments to determine what breed would be best for them. They will also search a database to find dogs available at their local shelter.

Background: When your family decides to get a dog, doing research into breeds and requirements is necessary. Often people buy particular breeds because of the way they look and don’t look into the temperament of the species. Because of this, many of these dogs end up in shelters or abandoned. Before you get a dog, be a responsible person and investigate the needs and requirements of that dog.

 

I. First, play the matching game to see how much you already know about dog breeds.

Matching Game (www.biologycorner.com/dogs/dogmatching1.htm)

II. Go to: AKC Recognized Breeds at http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm and browse the “Alphabetical List of Breeds”. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the Basenji best known for? ______________________________________

2. What doies the Cardigan Welsh Corgi like to catch? __________________________

3. What does the word "dachshund" mean? ____________________

4. The English Toy Spaniel is divided into four varieties based on ________________.

5. A Finnish Spitz looks like a _____________

6. The giant schnauzer's main occupation is as a ____________________________

7. The Irish Greyhound belongs to which dog group? _________________________

8. Labrador retrievers are used as guide dogs, search & rescue and for ________________

9. The Miniature Pinscher belongs to what dog group? ___________________

10. Norwegian Elkhounds were used to track ______________________.

11. The word "papillon" means _______________________ in french.

12. The Rottweiler has a history of being a hardworking drover and ________________.

13. Samoyeds often wear _________________ on their face.

14. The Tibetan terrier is a member of what dog group? ________________________

15. How fast can a Whippet run? _________________________________

III. List the top ten dogs that are your favorite based on what you've read and seen.

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Now put a star next to the top four dogs you might choose as a pet.

 

 

 

 


IV. Go To: Animal Planet’s Dog Breed Directory at http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/selector/selector.jsp

Use the dog breed selector to find out what dog would be best for you.
What dog(s) does it say best fits your lifestyle? __________________________________________________________

 

V. In part III, you chose four dogs that you might want as a pet, now you will investigate specifics about these breeds. Go back to the dog breed directory and scroll down the list of breeds. Read about your breeds and fill out the chart below.

Dog Breed 1

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Dog Breed 2

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Dog Breed 3

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Dog Breed 4

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Where does it originate from?
What kind of temperament does it have?
How much grooming does it need?
How easy it it to train?
How much exercise does it need?
AKC Ranking
Original Function of the breed


VI. Choose your Dog

Based on the comparisons, write a short paragraph that explains which dog breed would be the best for you and your lifestyle.

 

 

 

 

 






VII. Now you’re ready to buy your dog. But wait! What about a mixed breed puppy? You can get those for free at your local shelter and sometimes local shelters even have dogs of the breed of your choice.


http://www.petfinder.org/


Go to the “Quick Pet Search” and enter the data for your dog and zip code (Granite city zip code is: 62040)

List the dogs you can get in your area that match the kind of dog you want. Include the name of the dog and the shelter it is located at.