Poor dogs are victims, too.

• Position: Great Recession - Pets surrendered to shelters

Among the biggest victims of the economic recession are the once beloved family pets surrendered to shelters as their owners deal with extended joblessness. The Humane Society estimates 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 dogs and cats enter shelters each year--and 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 are euthanized.

"We don't have firm data, but we know anecdotally that the communities that have been hardest hit by the economic downturn are seeing that reflected in their shelter intake numbers," laments Inga Fricke, director of sheltering issues for the Humane Society.

"Unfortunately, while the majority of the public is in favor of adopting pets from shelters, very few--usually about 20%--actually do. That has recently gone up slightly to the mid-20s."

Fricke and retired police officer Irvin Cannon, a confirmed dog lover whose book, For the Love of Dog Tales, gives voice to man's best friend, hope people getting back on their feet will consider adopting a shelter dog, perhaps in observance of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month in April.

"You won't find a better companion, whether you bring home a mystery mixed-breed or a purebred Labrador," Cannon contends. "Everyone thinks mutts are smarter and generally healthier, but really, it all depends on their mix of breeds and which breed strain is dominant."

Border collies and Rottweilers are two of the smartest breeds, Cannon indicates, but they can have other traits, too, which are just as important to consider when choosing what dog best suits your lifestyle. Remember, dogs are as individual as people. A dog's breed, or breed mix, is no guarantee that it will have certain traits. That said, border collies usually need plenty of room to run and lots of attention--they are high...