With hundreds of breeds to choose from, how do you decide which one is right? Narrow down the options in a few simple steps.
Size Matters
First, consider your available space. If you live in an apartment, you can rule out large dogs. Look for dogs from the Toy group, like Yorkshire Terriers, or some of the smaller dogs from the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.
If you have children, you may want to rule out very small dogs such as Chihuahuas or Maltese. They are delicate and can be accidentally injured by small children. On the other hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards, can be too boisterous and may accidentally turn your child into a human bowl. Consider medium-sized breeds, such as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos.
essential exercise
Next, consider how much exercise you can give your dog. If you have a house with a fenced yard, your dog will be able to get some exercise on his own.
However, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups are high-energy animals and will need intensive daily exercise. Plan to take lots of long walks with your dog or go for a daily walk in the park. After all, these dogs were bred to work hard and they don’t do well unless they have a job to do or a way to burn off excess energy.
To prepare or not
Also, don’t forget to consider grooming needs. Some breeds need only half an hour of grooming a week, while others require an hour a day. If you’re short on time, don’t buy a Standard Poodle or Maltese, unless you plan on taking your dog to a boyfriend. Breeds like the Boston Terrier or Whippet are good choices for people who don’t have a lot of time to groom themselves.
puppy problems
Once you decide which breed you want, you will need to consider the age of the dog. Many people choose to buy a stuffed puppy instead of an adult. While puppies have the advantage of not having developed any bad habits yet, it’s up to you to make sure your puppy is educated and obedience trained.
Do you want to buy a puppy? If so, you’ll need to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the right breed. Often a good breeder will have a waiting list for puppies.
If you’re not the patient type, you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. A word of caution: Many pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have genetic health defects, bad temperaments, and other problems. It is usually safer to buy a puppy directly from the breeder.
Older dogs are usually domesticated and often have some obedience training. They are also less likely to be hyperactive and destructive. However, they may have behavioral or health issues that prompted the former owner to find them a new home.
If you are interested in a senior dog, you can visit your local animal shelter or call a breed rescue center. These groups evaluate the health and temperament of the dogs before putting them up for adoption.
Once you have chosen the breed and the dog, you will have one more important decision to make: what to name your new best friend!
