Choosing the perfect dog for you is of extreme importance, since you need to get a pet that can meet your needs, while you also have to be able to meet its needs as well. The relationship goes both ways and neglecting one of these factors will certainly make either one or both of you unhappy. I’m sure, though, that you want to be happy with the dog you choose and that you also want the animal to be happy as well.
Since there are so many different breeds out there, one of the things you should do is get more details on all those breeds that have already caught your attention, so as to figure out whether those might suit you or not. This is a decision that needs to be made after some careful consideration. To put things differently, deciding on the spur of the moment is not a very wise move.
After realizing that you want a dog, you will probably be extremely excited and eager to get one as soon as possible. Here’s the thing, though. All the excitement is definitely a good sign, showing that you really, really want to take care of a canine, but it can also lead you towards some wrong choices, since you might find yourself rushing into this decision.
Instead of rushing into it, however, the best thing to do is take all the time you need in order to do proper research and consequently end up with the perfect pet for you. I know that this might sound like a lot of work right now and I understand that you want to get your hands on a puppy as soon as possible, but you need to be patient. Trust me, all the patience and the work you do with the aim of finding the perfect pet will eventually be worth it.
Now, it’s important for you to understand that choosing the breed for you requires you to take some important things into account instead of simply picking out the sweetest animal from the crowd. Sure, you must certainly like the appearance of the breed, but that is definitely not the most important factor to consider. Let’s take a look at what else you will need to keep in mind while choosing the right breed for you.
Table of Contents
Size
I suppose this doesn’t come as a surprise, does it? The first thing to keep in mind is the size of the animal that will fit not only your personal preferences, but also your living situation and similar. If you, for example, live in an apartment, you might want to think about getting a smaller breed, although there are definitely some larger ones that could fit in easily with such a living arrangement. Ultimately, it all comes down to how big of a dog you think you can handle.
Activity Level
This is perhaps even more important than the size. People are generally under the impression that larger dogs require much more exercise than smaller ones and that is certainly not the case. Be careful not to make the same mistake. Instead, do your research on the amount of exercise that specific breeds need and figure out if you can match that. Remember, every dog will need some amount of exercise, but certain breeds are simply more active than others.
Training Difficulty
Similarly, every single dog will need some amount of training, but some will simply be more stubborn than the others. That’s why considering how difficult it is to train certain breeds is a must. This is especially correct for first-time dog owners.
You might think that getting an intelligent breed will mean that it will figure out everything on its own and that you won’t need to train it. Be careful, though, about how to choose your dog and its intelligence level. While extremely intelligent breeds can pick up things more quickly, they are also generally more stubborn and free-willed.
Physical Maintenance
Now, this might sound a bit harsh, but it isn’t. Believe it or not, your dog needs maintenance, and this is no small deal. If you want your best friend to appear pretty, clean, neat, and tidy, you need to take care of it properly. Here’s one last thing you will need to consider. Some dog breeds need frequent grooming and you should think about whether you can not only afford that, but also devote the time necessary for it. Once you take all these factors into account, you will certainly manage to choose the perfect pet.
Essential grooming is a must regardless of the breed you select; we hope you already know this. But, if you take one with longer hair or specific skin, they need much more attention. Some breeds have their hair continually growing, and you can’t let them be like furry balls. You need to take the right care of their hairstyle, and in some instances, you might even need the help of a professional. Even if their hair is short, bathing and cleaning might be essential as you don’t want them to appear dirty.
Furthermore, we’re not even talking only about cutting their hair, but also about cleaning it all over the house if you pick a breed that sheds a lot. In addition to cleaning tools, you might also want to take a look at available grooming tools. You’re going to need them! But, worry not, it is all done with love for our loved pets so that you won’t have any issues doing it.
This is not all; same as us, dogs are prone to injuries and illnesses, and you must be aware of this at all times. For example, dogs with long ears can suffer from various ear infections, and thus they need their ears cleaned frequently. Another aspect of owning a dog you need to be aware of is the drooling. Have you ever seen a Bloodhound or a Mastiff? They can droll a lot, and you need to be prepared for this. Shaking heads no longer means they’re only happy to see you; it’s bathing time for anyone nearby.
Age
This might not be something that crosses your mind, but age is essential when selecting a dog breed for yourself. Not every man-dog friendship starts with a puppy. What you need to know is that dogs have personalities of their own. If you choose to take an older dog, he is most likely to have a formed character and will be less temperamental compared to a younger pup. What’s even better, you’ll already be aware of their medical issues, if there are any, which will make taking care of them much more manageable.
When you start with a puppy, everything is left to you to find out about them and bring them up. Of course, if you have children, you are better off with a young dog so that they could mature together. If you take an older pup in your house where there are small children, they might not get along if a dog has a previous experience that didn’t go well. Most people go with younger dogs because when they fell in love with their pet, they want to spend as much time with them as possible. By taking an older dog, you can quickly start loving it without knowing how much it has left in the tank. This is a sad reality, and losing a good friend is never easy.
