When you bring a new dog into your home, that dog will become part of your family.
Adopting a dog is a long-term commitment, and that’s why you’ll want to make sure you select the right pet for your household.
Follow this guide to choose the best dog breed for you.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Before you make any decisions about dog ownership, you’ll want to assess your lifestyle.
How much time do you spend out of the house in the typical week? Will that change after you adopt a dog?
Does your home have a fenced yard? Will you be able to take a dog for long walls?
The best breed for your household will be determined by the lifestyle you lead.
Many dog breeds make excellent pets, but not all of those dogs will do well in your home.
Try to find a breed that will thrive in the environment that you provide.
Find A Breed That’s The Right Size
Space should also be a major consideration when you’re adopting a dog.
If you’re in an apartment or a smaller home that doesn’t have a large yard, a small breed will likely be best.
However, if you have plenty of room, a larger dog should do very well in your home.
You’ll also want to think about your personal preferences when you’re deciding on the size of your dog.
Do you like bigger breeds more, or are you more drawn to small lap dogs?
You should consider how the dog will do in your household, but you should also think about what you want.
Work With A Great Breeder
You’ll have a much better experience if you work with a breeder that can answer your questions about the dog breed you’re considering.
Many breeders have their online websites also. You can visit their website and learn about different breeds by going through dog breed selectors like this, which will help you find the best breed for you.
Breeders are often experts, and the right breeder won’t push you to adopt a dog. Instead, they’ll focus on finding the right home with their puppies.
If you’re adopting your dog from a shelter rather than a breeder, you’ll want to look for the same qualities.
Ensure that the shelter can answer your questions and is willing to help you figure out if a dog would thrive in your home.
Make Sure You’ll Be Able To Meet The Dog’s Needs
Some dog breeds require daily grooming. Others need vigorous exercise daily.
Certain breeds are demanding, and if you’re not able to meet those demands, your dog will suffer.
Don’t bring a high-maintenance dog breed into your home unless you’re sure that you’re up to the challenge.
Some types of dogs are far easier to care for than others. If you’re a first-time dog owner, you may have a better experience with a breed that is easier to take care of.
If you’ve owned dogs for your entire life, you may be able to handle more challenging breeds.
Learn More About Temperaments And Traits
You can learn a great deal about a dog simply by reading up on its breeds. While not all dogs of the same breed are the same, certain traits are common in breeds.
If you research breeds, you can find out more about what various breeds are like.
If you’re looking for an independent dog, you should search for a breed known for being independent.
If you want a more docile dog, you should find a breed with that trait. Researching breeds will help you to find a dog that will do well in your home.
Intelligent Dogs Are Often Easier To Train
You may find that a more intelligent dog breed is a better option for you. This is because it’s often easier to train dogs when they are intelligent.
Smart dogs will be able to learn commands quickly and will understand how they are supposed to behave.
Training a dog can be a long and drawn-out process. If you adopt a more intelligent dog, you’ll be able to make this period easier for yourself.
Training is hard work, but both you and your pet will be safer and happier once you have the basics down.
Investigate Medical Issues
Breeds are prone to certain traits, and they’re also prone to specific medical issues.
These issues might not be a problem when you initially bring a new pet into your home, but they could become a big problem later down the line.
It’s best to read up on these issues so that you can be fully prepared.
Many medical issues can be caught early on when a vet knows what to watch out for.
Early intervention can lead to a better outcome for the dog.
If you’d prefer a healthier dog, you’ll know that you should avoid breeds that are prone to many serious health problems.
Learn More About Breed Types
While there are many different dog breeds, there are also several breed types.
These types include the toy group, the herding group, the working group, and terriers.
While many breeds fall within these groups, dogs in the same group tend to have a lot in common.
If you find out more about these breed types, you can focus your attention on dogs that fall into a specific group.
From there, you’ll be able to look at some of the breeds in that group and find a dog that’s right for you.
Don’t Limit Yourself To Pure Breeds
While adopting a pure-breed dog can be exciting, you can also adopt a pet that’s a mix of several breeds.
In some cases, these dogs may have some of the best traits of several different breeds.
Some dogs are specifically bred to be mixes of two different dogs. These animals are usually referred to as “designer dogs.”
Other dogs are a mix of many different breeds. These dogs are often referred to as “mutts.”
Try to look at a range of options so you can find the best type of dog for you.
