Choosing a Dog Breed - How to Choose a Dog Breed

Choosing a Dog Breed that's Right for You

Before we discuss how to choose a dog breed and which one might be right for you, there's something more important to decide.

Are you sure you're ready to take on the responsibility of pet ownership?

Let's take a look at some of the things you might want to consider before you answer that question.

1. Do you have the space for a dog, a crate, food bowls?

2. Do you have a safe place to take the dog for exercise and fresh air?

3. Can you afford not only the dog, but the vet visits, accessories, toys, obedience classes, food?

4. Do you have the time and patience it takes to train a puppy? Training is a lifelong commitment.

5. Do you travel often for either leisure or work? If you do, where will your dog go when you're not at home?

6. Is your home, "puppy proof?" (Puppies love to chew. And chew. And chew. And...)

If you've thought about good and hard about this decision and your answer is "YES! I'm ready!" then the next step is, choosing a breed.

How do you know which breed is right for you?

Here are some thoughts to factor in when choosing a breed.

Climate - Do you live in tropical weather where its usually hot and humid?

Space - How much room do you have for your pet to run around? Do you have a fenced backyard?

Size - Are you looking for a big dog or a medium sized one? How about a teacup miniature sized one?

Lifestyle - Are you high energy or more sedentary? Some dogs require lots of exercise while others can only take a short amount of physical exertion each day.

Allergies - Some breeds are more hypoallergenic than others. Some have long hair, some have short. Some need to be groomed by professionals and some are fine with at home brushings.

Desires - What do you want from your dog? If you're looking for a lap dog, a protector or a sporting dog, its important to know which breed will match your needs.

Family - Do you have children? Do you plan on adding to your family? If you do, then be sure to choose a breed that is likely to get along with and not be threatened by or aggressive toward children.

Other pets - Do you have cats? Birds? If you do, seek out a breed that is comfortable around other animals.

Age - Are you interested in an adult dog or do you prefer a brand new puppy?

Now that you've answered some pretty important questions, the time has come to research and choose your breed.