Often, people pick their dogs because they think they are cute – or perhaps they like ‘the look’ of the dog. When you are getting a dog however, remember, that they are not a piece of furniture or an accessory to your home. What you might not be thinking about today is that puppies turn into dogs – and they might not be so cute then! When you are picking out a dog, while maybe appearance should be one way to choose your dog, you need to take other factors such as your lifestyle into consideration. While you may think that your cute little puppy is the best thing in the world, you also need to understand that the care and feeding of your dog is of prime importance. Your lifestyle should help you decide what type of dog is best suited for your household, and a few simple questions can help you make that decision.
If you have children in your home, how old are they?
The reason that this question is so important is that some breeds simply are not ideal around children. Dogs that are going to be around children need patience and they need to be sturdy. Remember, a toy breed (or small dog) can be easily injured by pick-up and drops by children.
How much space do you have?
If you have a dog that needs a lot of activity to stay happy, you need to take into consideration the size of your home and the availability of a yard. The more active a dog is the more ‘real estate’ he has going to need to be happy. Smaller or inactive dogs are ideal for apartments or smaller homes.
What is your activity level?
Dogs need exercise – that is a fact of life. While you might think that getting a dog will make you more active, chances are that is not really the case. Remember, your dog is going to want to spend at least 15-20 minutes walking – and they may want to do this several times a day. This is especially true of you do not have a yard that is suitable for letting them run either free or on a run.
How much time do you have?
Dogs enjoy people as much as people enjoy dogs. Make sure the breed of dog you choose will fit in with the activities you like to do. If you live a very hectic life with a schedule full of work and outside interests, then a dog probably is not right for you. If you like to spend your spare time relaxing with a good book, then a quiet lap dog would suit you. If you jog, swim, bike, hike, or explore, a large breed dog may be perfect for you. Choosing a breed that is as active as you are is very important.
Once you have determined what dogs fit your lifestyle, you may have narrowed your choices down to a couple of breeds. Then you will have to take into consideration what the needs of your dog are going to be regularly and as they grow into adults.
Full Grown Dogs
Size considerations are very important. Let’s face it while a puppy may start out weighing only a few pounds, the size that he’s going to grow into is an important consideration. Remember, if your dog is going to have trouble getting in and out of cars, getting up and down stairs, etc., you might be called upon to pick him up. While it is one thing to pick up a ten-pound Pomeranian, it is quite another issue to try to pick up a sixty-pound bulldog! Find out if you are able to heft that dog up if he needs your help. Mid-sized dogs is perfect for families with small children or for a semi active adult, but you do not want a dog that is so big that he can easily knock over a child or your furniture.
Grooming
Whether you believe it or not this should be a major consideration for all potential dog owners. Longer hair breeds require regular brushing and in some cases will require frequent bathing. Even short hair dogs who shed will mean that you have got to vacuum your carpets and furniture more regularly. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, they are liable to require more frequent baths and brushing. Before you purchase a dog take this into consideration – you want your dog to stay healthy looking and this means proper grooming. Your house will be over-run with dog hairs if you do not pick a breed that works for your cleaning habits
You might not think so, but making the decision to get a dog is like the decision to have a baby. They both entail a lifelong commitment. A dog that fits into your lifestyle will become not only a best friend and companion but you will get the added benefit of unconditional love in return for the care you give your dog.
Hunting dogs are a lot of fun and great pets, but you have to make sure you have all the proper hunting dog supplies. Some great products out on the market include Dog Tracking Collars and Dog Training Collars.
