How To Chose The Dog That Best Stuits You

So you’ve decided to welcome a new dog into your life. The type of dog you choose is a personal decision and will likely stick with you for over a decade. To make your decision easier, focus on certain aspects of your life that your dog needs to be compatible with. Click “Next” to find out what you need to consider before choosing a new dog…

Activity

Most dogs like activity and enjoy being ourdoors. Certain dog breeds have more need for activity then others. Jack Russell terriers, Dalmations and Cockapoos are physically agile dogs that get bored and moody when they are not given enough outdoor acitivity. They are built to be physically agile and need to constantly flex their musles. On the other hand, the Pug and Chihuahua are fine without much physical activity.

So know the amount of time per day that you can devote to walking and playing with your dog. If you tend to stay indoors and don’t go out very much, choose a more inactive dog.

Living Conditions

 

The space in your home is another consideration when choosing your new dog. A larger dog breed will need much more space to rest and move around. Therefore, dog breeds such as the Golden Retriever and Saint Bernard are more suitable for you if you have a house that has a backyard where your dog can play and exercise. On the other hand, smaller breeds like the Chihuahua and Poodle are suitable for apartments and urban living areas.

You should also consider the cilmate in your home. If it is too hot, a Pug may not be feel comfortable because its short nasal cavity. Pugs are in danger of heatstrokes and respitory issues because of this.

Care And Attention Required

 

Some dog breeds will need more grooming and care compared to others. Certain dogs like the Shih Tsu and Poodle have long, delicate fur which need to be groomed a few times a week. Each grooming session can take an hour at a time. You have two options for these dogs: either groom them yourself or bring them to a professional pet groomer. The latter option is of course the best if you are busy, but could cost a bomb over the dog’s entire lifespan. Neglecting the need for grooming is not an option as rashes and tick bites may emerge if they are not properly cared for.

So carefully assess the amount of care and attention you are willing to devote to your dog per week. If you are short on time choose a dog that requires low maintenance.

Budget

The ultimate price you pay for a dog is way more than the initial purchase price that you paid for it. Evaluate how much you are willing to spend on your dog each month. Large dog breeds are generally more costly because they need more food to sustain themselves. Their vet bills may also add up over the year because of health issues. Smaller dog breeds generally require a smaller budget because they eat less and need less real estate to stay in.

The same consideration is relevant for purebreds versus mixed breeds. Mixed breeds tend to have less health problems because they inherit the better genes from both parents. Calculate and set aside the monthly amount that you have to spend on food, vets, and grooming.

Temperament

A dog’s temperament is another important thing that you should consider when choosing a dog. Certain dogs like the Chihuahua can get provoked easily and may bite they are provoked. You may think that your child will be well-behaved around pets most of the time, but it just takes one small event for a nasty accident to happen. Therefore, be especially prudent when you choose a dog that you will have close to children most of the time.

If you have children around the house, a better dog to have would be one from a more loving and outgoing breed. Examples of this breeds are the Beagles and Golden Retrievers.