Dog Breeds - How To Choose The Perfect Dog Breed For You!

If choosing dog is such a straight forward process, and it is, how come so many puppies find their way into adoption centres every year? Well one reason is that people choose the wrong dog breed.

Don't let your puppy become a statistic. Make it your goal to choose a puppy suited to your family and circumstances. Think about your previous experience of owning a dog and the amount of time you have for training, grooming and exercising. Look at your health including possible allergies, your financial resources and the amount of space in your house and yard. Most of all work out how much time you have for a dog.

Of all the different factors in choosing a the right dog breed, among the most important is the relationship you want with your dog. Some breeds by nature are rather aloof and elegant, others are independent and energetic while others are dependent or submissive. If you want to do specialized training, consider breeds known for courage and trainability. If you want an affectionate pet, choose a breed that typically likes to be close to its people.

To ensure that your puppy fits in with your lifestyle begin by asking yourself these questions:

a) How much time can I spend with my dog, a social creature who craves companionship? - If your time is limited don't get a breed which can become dependent on their owners.

b) How much exercise can I give my dog? - If you hate exercise, buy a small dog happy with a short walk. If you like to walk the mountains all day long get a dog breed which likes a lot of exercise.

c) How much grooming can I do? - If you hate grooming, buy a short-haired dog.

d) How much training can I give? - If you have limited time, choose a breed known for ease of training.

e) How much room do I have? - If you live in a small apartment don't get a large dog!

f) What characteristics do I want in my dog? - Think of words like independent, energetic, submissive, affectionate, protective, quiet, funny or sociable. Try to match them to the characteristics of your family members. Your dog will fit in much better if you do.

Finding The Right Dog Breed

Once you have answered these questions it is time to go out and find the right dog breed for you. The internet is a great place to start. Just go to your favourite search engine and type in something like "dog breed information" or "dog breeds" and you will find some excellent sites giving detailed information about each breed.

Note the characteristics of the different breeds. What is best for your situation: large or small, male or female, purebred or mix? Short coat or shaggy coat? A dog needing lots or little exercise? A lot or little daily grooming? Think through your choices in detail and compare this information to your requirements and make a short list.

Next ask people you trust about the dog breeds you are interested in. Ask friends, family members and co-workers for suggestions for dog breeds they think would be good for you and your family. Ask them to be honest about the good points and bad points of the breeds they suggest. Visit dog training schools and breeders and ask about the dogs your think may be suitable. Follow up on and meet the breeds you feel are a good match.

Finally make every effort when choosing a puppy to make your final choice of a dog breed a family decision. Your dog will be part of the family, and each member needs to feel a sense of ownership for the dog and a willingness to help in its care.

So there you have it a short guide to choosing a puppy that will fit into your family perfectly and bring years of fun and happiness.

How To Choose the Right Dog Breed For You

Which breed of dog suits you?

Having decided that you are prepared to look after a canine for all of its life, your next question should be which breed of dog to choose. This is not simply a question of picking a breed of dog that appeals to you because of its appearance.

Many dog owners do not do enough research about the breeds before choosing a dog. Not every breed is suitable for everyone. There are hundreds of breeds to choose from, as well as crossbreeds and mongrels, and the decision as to what puppy or canine to choose is a very important one.

Here are some of the factors to consider when you want to start owning and caring for a dog.

- Age

While most future pet owners prefer to have a puppy, there are some who wishes to have an adolescent or full dog. The reason being is that there are no need to potty train, crate train and other basics trainings.

- Size

Size is a big factor. It really depends on you living environment. If you are staying in an apartment, a small dog is appropriate or if you are in a place with space to run for a dog, you can have a big one.

- Activity Level

Aggressive or not? That really depends on the activity level of the dog.

- Physical Grooming and Maintenance

Owning a dog comes with tons of responsibilities. Physical grooming is needed.

Read books about dog breeds. Ask other dog owners for advice. Visit dog shows and view the different breeds there. Here you can meet dogs of more or less every Kennel Club recognized breed. There are also various dog magazines and newspapers that have excellent articles on individuals breed and their care.

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.

Which Dog Breed Will You Choose?

You have decided that it is time to get a dog. But there are many dog breeds to choose from and like us humans have their good and not so good points. You need to look at your lifestyle to determine the best fit for your situation. After all, you want it to be a pleasant experience for you, any family you have and the dog.

You should consider the following:

1. Will the dog be purebred or a mixed breed animal?

You could consider going to the animal shelter to check out some mixed breed dogs. This would save a dog from being euthanised and you lots of money, especially for a pure bred. dog.

2. The size of your home.

You need to think about the space available inside and outside your home for the new dog. The space available will determine the size of dog you should have. If you have a big space you could consider a Labrador, Mastiff or a Saint Bernard.

3. How much energy do you and family have to spend with the dog?

Is the dog going to be a jogging or walking partner? Choose something like a smaller Jack Russell Terrier or a larger labrador which are upbeat, energetic breeds. If you like to go to the river or lake to fish or swim for the day then you could consider dogs like the labradors or spaniel breeds which come in a variety of colours and sizes and would enjoy the water to join in your fun. But you do not want them to become bored, as they could become destructive. Are you social? If you like to go out a lot then you may have to consider a dog which does not mind being left alone at times. You need to remember that dogs need interaction and if you have little time you may need to consider another pet.

4. Family Makeup:

Do you have young children? Choose a sturdy, well mannered, easily trained and less likely to bite kind of dog like the pug, puggle, golden retriever and cocker spaniel. You probably would not like dainty, yappy dogs that tend to bite; or higher maintenance dogs like the poodle, Pomeranian and Shiz Tu as they require a lot of grooming and need to clipping frequently. If you have a new born child then it might not be a good time to consider getting a puppy as you will be busy enough without having to worry about training a puppy. You need to train puppies properly so they don't end up poorly behaved.

5. General Temperament of the Breed and Individual Needs:

There are various features to look out for. This can include the following:

Grooming: Some dogs require minimal grooming while other dogs require a lot eg Afghans, Poodles

Shedders: Some dogs shed more than others but can be minimized with frequent brushing. Some dogs even let you run the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner over them.

Energetic Dogs: Need energetic families.

Laid Back Dogs: Need laid back owners.

Cuddly Dog: Choose a good natured dog like a Scotty

What you need to do is find out all the information you can on any breed you are interested in and see if they fit into your lifestyle. It is a long term commitment after all, so you need to make the right decision. But remember that there can be variations within the same breed. Do not get stuck up on the accepted stereotype of the breed. When you have picked your doggy pet make sure you and all the family members interact with it to make sure that everyone is completely happy. You do not have to purchase if it does not work.

Now that you have an idea of what to consider when deciding upon your lifelong doggy friend, which dog breed will you choose?

If you are serious about owning a puppy or a dog then once you have chosen your four legged friend then you will need to feed it. Take a Look Here for information.

If you are thinking a dog would be a great pet to own but are open to other pet options, then take a Look Here

How to Choose the Right Dog Breed for You

Choosing the right dog breed for you, your family and lifestyle is the most important decision you can make before bringing the dog home. Get this choice wrong and you end up with one of two results. Either you end up saddled with a dog that is wrong for you and your family, a dog that is basically unwanted and unloved. A dog that is a chore to look after. Or you end up taking the dog to a shelter for re-adoption or worse yet abandoning it. Neither option is good for the dog.

You also need to be aware that the cute little puppy you bought home will not stay a puppy for long. Before too long he or she will be a part of the family that you will have to care for over the next ten years or longer.

To make this new addition a valued and loved part of the family requires a lot of hard work over the first few months, especially in house training. So you have to be certain that you really want a dog before taking on the commitment.

With over 200 breeds of dog in the world how do you decide which is the right breed for you?

There are a few basic questions you have to ask yourself to narrow the choice down.

How much space do you have in your home? Obviously a large dog in a small apartment is a mismatch, a recipe for disaster. Toy dogs, such as terriers are a better choice for this situation.

Do you have children and how old are they? A large dog puppy such as a Great Dane or Saint Bernard could easily bowl a small child over. On the other hand, toy dogs can be very fragile and easily injured by a small child playing with it. To be on the safe side you have to give priority to what's right for your children.

Exercise is another important point. The exercise needs of dogs are proportional to their size. Large dogs need lots of room to exercise and work off their excess energy. They either need a large yard to run about in or to be taken on long walks, often twice a day.

Small dogs on the other hand need far less exercise. This makes them a better choice for an apartment or for someone who wants a dog they can cuddle and give lots of affection.

Grooming is another question to look at. Long haired dogs obviously shed more hair than short haired dogs and so need a lot more grooming, anything up to an hour or so a day. Make sure you have the time to do this before choosing a long haired dog.

Asking yourself these questions will help to boil down the choice of the right dog breed for you to a short list. After that it's really down to your particular preference. Try to visualise what you see as your perfect dog and find the best fit in your short list.

Once you've sorted out the breed then it's time to decide whether you want a puppy or an older dog. Try to find a reputable breeder for puppies. For older dogs consider finding a Dog Rescue center for the breed.

There are pros and cons for either option. With a puppy you never totally know just what its temperament is going to be until it grows up. A puppy is a blank slate and it's up to you to mould it into the dog you want.

An older dog from a shelter or Dog Rescue has already formed its character so you get a better idea of how well it will fit in with your family. It has probably also had the rudiments of being house trained and basic command training. But these dogs may have also suffered from abuse or neglect from their previous owners so may come with a mental or physical baggage of neurosis or ailments. These will need to be treated over time.

So now you have chosen the right dog the hard work begins - making that dog a part of your family!