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When you’re in the market for a new dog, just a little research can help you pick the right dog breed that suits your lifestyle. Because deciding on the kind of dog you want to care for is a big decision to make, you’ll need to consider your personality, lifestyle, and requirements to come up with the right choice.
Bear in mind that selecting a breed because of the qualities it has that you desire does not guarantee that you will be ending up with your “dream” dog. What it only means is that you will possibly be spending the next decade with a pet that you could be compatible with, and perhaps which has the makings of the kind that you have always hoped for.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Some of the important factors that you need to give consideration in choosing the dog breed include the following:
- What dog size do I prefer? Yes, size does matter. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a large dog would need a large yard, and a small dog would be well-suited to living in an apartment. In fact, some breeds of large dogs, such as the Greyhound, are fine and manageable in a small yard.
- Can I handle a heavy-shedder? Most dogs, if not all, tend to shed to some extent. Nonetheless, breeds like Pugs, Golden Retrievers, and Dalmations are like shedding machines. Unless you can allocate some time for dog grooming every day, you may be better off with a breed that doesn’t shed as much.
- Does it matter if my dog gets along well with children? If you have small children in the home, research the breeds you’re interested in and attracted to to make sure they’re appropriate to bring into a home with small children. Sometimes a large breed can be overbearing, not realizing how large they are and may play a little too rough with the baby. Likewise, small children may not be as gentle as they need to be with a tiny dog and could injure him. Consider both the children and the dog if their are kids in your home.
- Is it important for my dog to be well-trained? Because some dog breeds are normally more willing, suited, and capable in responding well to advanced obedience training, then you might want to include them on your priority list.
- Will my dog be fine with other pets around? Since a lot of dogs are likely to find it rather hard to happily co-exist with others, then you might consider this factor as well. There are some breeds, however, tend to love the company of other animals.
- Should my dog be highly energetic? It is essential that you and your dog, if possible, share the same energy level so that you both can have a happy human-dog relationship together.
The other factors that you need to consider would include the breed’s affordability, whether or not you would prefer the guarding type, his degree of separation anxiety issues, whether or not he is the inside, outside, or a bit of both types, the climate of your area, the breed’s specific health problems, and the amount of exercise he needs to stay happy and even-tempered.
