So, you want to get a dog. Great! A dog is a companion for life and can be your best friend. A dog can also be a great addition to your family. There are many reasons to get a pet dog, but the process can be a bit tricky. It is exciting, but it can also be quite daunting.
There are some things that you should look out for when selecting a breed. Might seem complicated, but by following a few tips, it can be quite simple actually. Here are a few tips for choosing a dog breed that fits your lifestyle.
Contents
1. Considering your home and family
Source: unsplash.com
Your home and family play a huge part when it comes to choosing a dog breed. Things like whether or not you live by yourself or with a family, the size of your family, the size of your home, etc. These are all things that will eighter help out with raising your dog, or it can hinder the process as well.
If you have a family with small children, you would probably want to avoid smaller dogs, as they usually get nervous around kids. On the other hand, bigger dogs tend to be gentler, so you don’t have to worry about them hurting your kids or anything like that. Bigger dogs require a bigger home to feel comfortable.
2. Purebred and mixed dogs
Source: unsplash.com
Pure breeds vs mixed. This is a question that comes up often when looking for a dog. In reality, there are good parts too each of these.
Purebreds are more concise, and you could have a better idea of what you’ll be getting. You can get very specific about what you want. Purebreds are typically set to one kind of personality for every breed. you can find most specific breeds online at sites of breeders. ABCs Puppy Zs is a breeder that specifically breeds Goldendoodles.
Mixed dogs usually have a more centered kind of personality. They take on traits from their parents and you won’t find them as set to a type of personality as you would with a purebred dog. Mixed dogs are also often the ones that need adoption more too. Countless dogs could save by adopting.
3. Should you get a puppy or a grown-up dog?
Source: unsplash.com
There are advantages to both puppies and dogs that have already grown up. Raising a puppy can make you more attached and in turn, the dog will be more attached to you since they know you as a caretaker ever since they were young.
With grown-up dogs, you will not need to worry about the extensive care that comes with raising a puppy. Training is also something that you should consider. Training a puppy is easier since you will be starting with a blank slate, but there are a lot of adult dogs that you can get that are already trained.
4. Why do you want a dog?
Source: unsplash.com
Dogs have had many uses for people throughout our history with them. They are some of the best companions that you could have but they can also have other uses. Consider whether you want a dog for the company for some kind of help.
Dogs can be used for protection. Watch dogs are not just tools, and should not be treated as employees. You should treat your dog with love no matter why you got them. Anyway, bigger dogs are better for watchdog jobs.
5. How much time are you willing to spend with your dog?
Source: unsplash.com
Some dogs take a lot of time and affection to be kept entertained. Some breeds need more time dedicated to training as well. Other than training, you need to know how much time you are willing to devote to your pet as well. You need to stay active with your dog to make sure that they stay healthy.
Spending time with your dog is crucial and some dogs require more than others. Other things like grooming, brushing, and washing is things that you need to know about, and some dogs need more treatment than others.
Some dogs also are more prone to medical issues and if you don’t have the required money to deal with this then these types of dogs aren’t for you. Make sure to do all of your research before getting a dog so that you won’t find yourself in a situation where you can afford to spend enough time or money on your pet.
6. Think about your lifestyle
Source: unsplash.com
There are things about your everyday life that you should take into consideration when deciding what dog to get. Think about all of the different aspects of your daily routine. How often are you home, do you travel a lot, do you keep active, are you busy for most of the day?
If you are very physically active then a very active breed can compliment that. Some dogs are lazier than others, so be sure to remember that. If you are often away from home due to traveling, then a puppy is not the choice to go with. Generally, puppies need a lot of attention to grow a bond with you. Are you or someone from your household allergic to dogs? If so, read this article from pumpkin.care to educate yourself on the types of hypoallergenic dogs to make this a pleasurable experience for both you and your new furry friend. Some dogs will even require very specific dietary requirements which you’ll need to pay close attention to. To give you an idea, this page by Dog Food Heaven highlights the various different types of foods that each breed might prefer. If your breed of dog is prone to certain health issues, that could even mean taking time out of your day to prepare special meals.
In conclusion
So, in conclusion, every breed is good for something and fits differently with different kinds of people. You should do a lot of research before choosing a dog, and make sure to examine things about yourself. The size of your house and your family is also very important since different dog breeds are better with different sizes.
You should know how much time and money you are willing to spend on your dog. Some breeds, like Maltese, need a lot more grooming, while some dogs, like Pugs, are more prone to medical issues. A dog is a companion for life, but that doesn’t come automatically, and if you want a strong bond with your pet, you have to work hard for it.
