How To Choose The Right Dog Breed

January 28th, 2009 · No Comments

Yellow Lab Dog Loves Bully Sticks Dog Treats

How To Choose The Right Dog Breed

Owning a dog can be a life-changing decision. The companionship can become invaluable over time; it’s not uncommon for owners to consider their pooches to be part of their family. But, there are hundreds of breeds. Each one has inherent characteristics that might either complement your lifestyle or be a constant irritation. Selecting the right one plays a key role in laying the groundwork for a healthy dog-and-owner relationship. In this article, we’ll describe the most important factors to consider when you’re choosing your new canine friend.

Selecting The Right Size

Selecting the appropriate size of your pooch is more important than a lot of people realize. The size of your dog has a greater impact than the amount of space it requires. For example, smaller pooches are more susceptible to the cold. If you live in an area that has cold weather, plan to keep him inside the house where it will be warm. Also, small mutts can often find themselves in the way of your feet. Unlike larger varieties, they’re easy to step on and injure.

On the other hand, big pooches require plenty of room. Plus, they eat more and need obedience training, so they won’t overwhelm you and your family. Ultimately, you’ll need a larger budget to support larger breeds.

Grooming And Other Needs

Just like some people seem to spend hours getting ready, a lot of breeds have high-maintenance grooming needs. For example, if your new pooch has hair that never stops growing, plan to take him to the groomer more often. On the other hand, if your canine friend sheds a lot, plan to keep a vacuum handy to clean up the loose hair. Also, a lot of mutts - especially big ones - drool. Some owners actually carry a small towel with them to clean it up.

Can You Keep Up?

A puppy’s energy level often catches new owners by surprise. Some pups are like adults; they’re easygoing and move at a moderate pace. Others are like children; they seem to have vast, inexhaustible stores of energy. If you’re planning to take your new pooch jogging each day, make sure they have the energy and stamina to keep up. Of course, if you lack time and want a low-maintenance house breed, avoid buying a mutt that needs to be walked 3 times a day.

Finding Your Dog

After you’ve considered the factors above and have done your research into the most appropriate dog breeds for your lifestyle, it’s time to find your new canine companion. Personally, we recommend that you avoid newspaper ads and pet stores. The most popular places to look are animal rescue shelters and professional breeders. If you’d like a mutt, check with the shelters. If you prefer a purebred, call a few local breeders. In the end, choosing the right dog breed is the first critical step to years of great canine companionship.