Things to Consider when Choosing a Dog Breed

Author: sattlefield gradle

Ten week old Golden Retriever
(c) Stefan Bauer

You've made the decision that you and your family are ready to bring a dog into your lives. This decision is a big one and should not be taken lightly. This living, breathing being will be in your life for a very long time and will be dependent on you for their comfort and well being. Too many people make the mistake of choosing a dog breed based solely on the "cuteness" factor. But this is one of the least important things you should be concerned about before choosing a dog. Below are some things you should definitely consider when choosing a dog breed.

1. Do you have small children? If so, there are certain breeds and/or characteristics that may not be suitable. For example, if you are considering adopting a dog you may not want to adopt an elderly or senior dog. There are exceptions of course, but many older dogs are not as tolerable around very small children. They want to live out their lives in relative peace and quiet. Do your research and find out which breeds are best for families with small children.

2. What size dog would you prefer? Obviously, all dogs start out small as puppies. But always remember that they will grow very quickly and that small puppy may end up being a 90lb dog! Do your research and find out how big the breeds you are considering will eventually get.

3. Can you deal with a dog that sheds? Some people have bad allergies to dog hair and need a dog that does not shed. Or, you may not want the extra housework that a shedding dog requires. But remember, if you get a dog that does not shed you will most likely need to have the dog professionally groomed on a regular basis. So either way there will be maintenance required. It is up to you which way to go.

4. How much time can you devote to exercising your dog? Certain breeds require more exercise than others. For example, a Border Collie needs more exercise and stimulation than a Pug. Exercise is extremely important for all dogs, so be prepared to do at least some each day. If you do not have much time in your day to devote to exercise, make sure you get a breed that complements this.

5. What is your lifestyle like? Are you an outdoors type of person/family? Or, are you more of a couch potato? There are breeds that match both of these types of lifestyles, and some in-between. Think about your hobbies and what you like to do and choose a breed that will compliment this.

6. Will your dog be an inside or outside dog? Some breeds are just not suited to living outdoors for long periods. For example, a German Shepherd may be fine being outside most of the day while a Maltese will most likely not be a good candidate for outside living.

7. Will the dog be living with other animals? Certain breeds are not well suited to living with other small animals such as cats, birds or other dogs. There are definitely exceptions and training is very important when it comes to animals coexisting with one another. But if you have other small animals in your household, you may want to consider getting a dog breed that is more likely to cohabitate peacefully.

8. Is affordability an issue? If it is, you may want to consider getting a small dog instead of a large dog. Just about everything is more expensive for large dogs including food, vet bills, flea treatment and accessories such as dog collars.

9. What kind of climate do you live in? Dogs that were bred in a certain part of the world may have difficulty living in other climates, especially if that climate is drastically different.

10. Will your dog be left alone for long periods each day? Certain breeds suffer more from separation anxiety than others. There certainly are exceptions, and training can be very helpful to overcoming separation anxiety, but if your life has you away from home most of the time you may want to reconsider your decision to get a dog at all. It's not fair for the dog and will just end up adding more stress to your life. On the other hand, some people overcome this by taking their dog to doggie day-care or by having a dog walker come to their home a few times each day.

Whatever dog breed you decide to get, make sure that it fits into your overall lifestyle. This is a big decision and should not be taken lightly. Take your time and do your research to make sure the breed you choose will be a good fit for you and for the dog.

Dana Lloyd is the owner of LaBellaDoggy.com, an online designer dog boutique that specializes in luxury dog fashion dog clothes

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