Pets

Choosing the right dog breed

Did you know that there are literally hundreds of different dog breeds? When you decide to get a dog, choosing the right breed of dog for you and your family is essential. With so many different dog breeds available, this can become a daunting task. Fortunately, there are ways you can narrow down your options a bit, which makes everything that much easier.

First of all, you need to consider one important factor … How much space do you have? If you live in an apartment, there is little point in getting a large dog that takes up a lot of space and also needs a lot of exercise. For living areas with limited space, consider the Toy group of dogs, such as the Terrier group or the miniature pinscher. The cost of keeping your dog should also be evaluated. Very large dogs can eat significant amounts of food, while smaller dogs eat very little in comparison. Try to estimate the cost of several different dog breeds over a twelve month period. Consider feeding and regular visits to the vet for inoculation, deworming, etc. You will see that larger dogs are usually much more expensive to keep.

If you have children, you may want to consider what breed of dog will suit them. Sometimes children can be quite harsh on pets; Getting a Chihuahua, for example, may not be such a good idea since they are delicate animals. Similarly, having a Great Dane or Saint Bernard hanging around the house could be dangerous for a child. The age and number of children you should definitely consider, as this will affect the type of dog that is best suited to your circumstances.

Another important point to consider is the amount of exercise you can offer your dog. If you have a reasonably sized yard, fencing it out will provide a good space for your dog to exercise. If you live in an apartment, consider buying a dog that requires very little exercise. An excitable border collie would be a poor choice for apartment living. Also, how much exercise can you handle? There is no point in getting a dog that requires a lot of exercise, such as a hunting or sporting dog breed, if you cannot maintain the exercise regimen. Try to get a dog that suits your lifestyle.

Grooming your dog is something to think about. If you don’t have a lot of free time in your life, try to avoid dog breeds like the Standard Poodle, which will need very regular grooming sessions. Short Haired Terriers or Whippets are a good choice for someone who has little time to sit and groom for hours. On the contrary, if you have a lot of free time, regular grooming sessions with your dog will provide both of you with a lot of quality time that you will both enjoy.

When choosing your dog, look at the big picture. Try to resist the urge to search for the cutest, cuddiest, and most adorable dog you can find. Consider your lifestyle, your home, your family, and try to find a breed of dog that best suits your life. After all, your new dog will share his life with you for many years to come, so making sure both of you are happy is an important thing to consider.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *