Choosing a dog breed is, quite literally, a life changing decision. Make the wrong choice now and you could be setting yourself up for a world of trouble later on.
It is essential that you choose a breed that fits in with your lifestyle, and you can begin by considering the four criteria listed below;
1.What is the size of your property?
Not all dogs need acres of space. in fact, provided they get regular exercise, most are quite happy with a small garden. Having said that, it should be obvious that some dogs need more room than others. Keeping a highly energetic dog, like an Airedale, or a Weimaraner, confined to a small apartment is just asking for trouble. You’ll very soon end up with a dog that is highly strung, destructive, and a real handful.
If you have limited space choose a more laid back breed instead. But remember, all dogs need at least some outdoor time, and regular exercise.
2. How much free time do you have?
As a dog owner you take on the responsibility for the well-being of your pet. Among other things, this includes daily walks and exercise. How long should they be exercised for? Well for most dogs, an hour per day will be sufficient. However, some breeds, particularly those from the herding, sporting and working groups, need even more than that. You’re looking at 2-3 hours per day to keep them satisfied.
Are you prepared to make that commitment? If not you should go for a dog with lower energy levels – a laid-back Pug perhaps.And there’s still training to consider. All dogs need at least basic obedience training. Some dogs are eager to learn, and easy to train. Others, like most dogs classified in the hound group are famous for their stubbornness when asked to perform even the simplest of tasks.
3. How Active Are You?
If you love the active outdoor lifestyle, or if you have the kind of job where you can involve your dog, you’d probably do well with a dog that is a good match for your level of energy. Best choices are from the working and herding groups, but be warned, these guys don’t just like to work, they absolutely demand it.
A slightly less demanding dog, but one that still has high energy levels, would be a Lab, Golden Retriever or another from the gun dog group.
4. Do you have children, and how old are they?
It may be pretty obvious, but I’ll say it anyway, “if you have kids, pick a breed that is good with kids”. You’ll want a breed that is relaxed, balanced, even-tempered and friendly, a Labrador, or a Golden Retriever perhaps.
But there are actually many breeds that are excellent with kids. Boxers, for example, are renowned for their gentleness when playing with children.Some breeds though, are not ideal around small children. Many toy breeds have a tendency to snap if provoked, while a large boisterous dog can easily knock a child over.
{Choosing a dog is an important decision and one that will impact on your life for the next 10-15 years. It is therefore advisable to make an informed decision. The questions above will get you started.|Choosing a dog is a big decision. What you do now will affect your life for the next 10 years and more, so choose wisely. Answer the questions above and you’ll be off to a good start.|Picking a dog is and important decision, and one you’ll want
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