Choose The Dog That Will Suit You Best

Sunil Saleem October 24, 2023

 Choose The Dog That Will Suit You Best


Character is most important. This applies to both humans and animals. If you are considering getting a dog, you probably like a certain breed. But is it right for you? Your dog's personality plays an important role in determining if it will suit you and your lifestyle. It will be much easier to choose a breed if you know which traits and personality traits suit your needs. The following tips will help you find the right pet for your personality and lifestyle.

 

Are you single or have a big family? Do you have babies, other pets, or adult children? Besides your family, you also need to value your home. Do you have an apartment or a private house? A large fenced yard or a small grassy area? Is there a great walking area in the neighborhood, or does the dog park need transfers? All these factors can influence the choice of the breed and size of the dog.

These questions will help you narrow your search for a pet. For example, if you live in an apartment and don't have a park or walking area nearby, you might want to consider a small dog that doesn't need a lot of play space. If you have small children, miniature breeds should be avoided as they are very fragile and get nervous around children. If so, consider a larger breed of dog that loves children. And if you like very large dogs, such as the Great Dane or St. Bernard, you will need to make sure that you have enough room in the house or yard to comfortably accommodate such a large animal.

Analyze your lifestyle

To choose the right breed, you need to analyze your life well. Do you work late or do you travel often? Do you enjoy discovering something new or are you a couch potato?

If you have an active lifestyle, it makes sense to look for a dog that will live with you in the same rhythm. Terriers and sporting dog breeds love to move a lot. On the other hand, if you prefer to spend the weekend on the couch, the active breed is not for you. If you spend a lot of time outside the house and cannot take your puppy with you, you should look for breeds that are better at being alone.

Think about why you need a dog

It will be very helpful to understand what you expect from your dog. Do you just need company or do you need a watchdog? Do you need a little buddy to curl up in your lap, or a big buddy to keep you company while you run? Some pet owners are looking for a nanny dog ​​that can protect their children while they play, while others are looking for a new best friend for their family. Honestly admitting to yourself why you need a dog and what you and your family want from it will be a big step towards making it easier to find the right pet for your family.

 

Consider time and budget

Be honest about how much time and money you are willing to spend on a dog. Don't forget that if you have one, it will be tantamount to adopting a very young child who will remain young forever. Besides proper nutrition, a bed, toys, and other various accessories, you will need to take care of your pet's coat, provide it with conditions for proper physical activity, and monitor its health. Some dogs need more, others less. For example, as much as you love a Maltese lapdog puppy, if you don’t have the time and finances for regular brushing and haircuts, this dog will not suit you. Some breeds have an annoying genetic predisposition to diseases, the treatment of which can be time-consuming and expensive. Decide in advance what you are willing to sacrifice for the sake of caring for your pet throughout its life.

Adult dogs versus puppies

Another important characteristic to reflect on is age. Many people choose to have puppies for many reasons, not the least of which is that they are very cute and impossible to resist. Some people believe that raising a dog from a puppy will create a stronger bond between you. But training and caring for puppies can be hard work, and their ability to test your patience knows no bounds. On the other hand, older dogs are already toilet trained and prepared for life with humans, not to mention the fact that the period of "killing" and "chewing everything that catches your eye" during teething is long gone. Usually, older animals have no problem forming strong bonds with a new family.

Choosing a breed type

Once you've compiled a list of your ideal dog's personality traits, it's time to explore dog breeds and types. Start at your local dog shelter, where you can find different breeds of dogs that you can ask the shelter staff about in detail to find out more. If you don't know where to start, you can choose a group of dogs. For example, the breeds of the Terrier group are usually self-confident and energetic; training them requires a steady hand and a lot of patience. Working breed dogs are intelligent, relatively easy to train, and will just be happy if there is something for them to do. It may be easier to start with the group.

Once you have narrowed down your searches, it may be helpful to seek advice from people who have experience with the breeds you are interested in. If you personally don't know any of these people, search the Internet: there are many forums and communities dedicated to individual breeds. Check with your veterinarian, who can not only educate you about the temperament of a particular breed but can also tell you if your chosen breeds have a predisposition to any diseases that you need to know about. He can also recommend a good shelter or nursery for you. Keep in mind that there are many breed-specific shelters out there, and you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a purebred puppy.

Purebred versus mixed-breed dogs

Most shelters are easy to find purebred dogs in need of love and home, but more likely you will find a huge selection of mixed-breed animals. You may think that the temperament of a mixed-breed dog is more difficult to predict, but if you know which breeds make up the mix, it is not that difficult. Mixed breeds usually have a balance of the dominant traits of their parents. Often their temperament is somewhere in between the pronounced extreme of purebred dogs. Also, according to the US Animal Welfare Society, Mixed breed dogs are less prone to genetic defects that sometimes result from over-breeding of their purebred breeds. If you are considering adopting a pet from a shelter, talk to a shelter worker or volunteer about the personality traits you are looking for. He or she will help you find the best option.

After reviewing all of these questions, you might think that finding a dog with the right temperament is almost as difficult as finding your soul mate. But this decision needs to be taken seriously. Eventually, the dog will become an integral part of your life for the next 10-15 years. You need to make sure you fit together.


if you want to read more about different dog breeds then click the links in the list:


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