First Coast Pet

“Awww, he’s so cute!”  Have you ever thought this about a puppy and wanted to bring him home immediately?  Most people have.  Choosing the right breed of dog should not be done on a whim, however.  Your lifestyle and needs should be considered carefully before you bring a puppy or dog home.  Your contentment and the dog’s should be your top priority so that both of you are happy and healthy.  First, ask yourself why you want to get a dog and how your life will be changed by owning and caring for a dog.  The answer to this and the following questions will help you to start to narrow down your breed choices.

If you have children in your home, how old are they?

The reason that this question is so important is that some breeds simply are not ideal around children. Dogs that are going to be around children need patience and they need to be sturdy.  Remember, a toy breed (or small dog) can be easily injured by pick-up and drops by children. 

How much space do you have?

All dogs love to play and need exercise, the question is, how much space do they need?  Typically, larger breeds of dogs need lots of space and smaller dogs are content with less space.  But all dogs are unique and sometimes the opposite is true.  Be realistic about how large your home is and what its limits are.

What is your activity level?

Dogs need exercise – that is a fact of life.  While you might think that getting a dog will make you more active, chances are that is not really the case.  Remember, your dog is going to want to spend at least 15-20 minutes walking – and they may want to do this several times a day.  This is especially true of you do not have a yard that is suitable for letting them run either free or on a run. 

How much time do you have?

Dogs enjoy people as much as people enjoy dogs.  Make sure the breed of dog you choose will fit in with the activities you like to do.  If you live a very hectic life with a schedule full of work and outside interests, then a dog probably is not right for you.  If you like to spend your spare time relaxing with a good book, then a quiet lap dog would suit you.  If you jog, swim, bike, hike, or explore, a large breed dog may be perfect for you.  Choosing a breed that is as active as you are is very important.

After you have answered all these questions, you should have a good idea of your limitations and expectations.  Narrowing down to the right dog breed for you will be easier.  The last two considerations, adult dog size and grooming, should eliminate more possibilities and get you down to one or two options.

Full Grown Dogs

Once you’ve determined what your lifestyle is like using the questions above, you should know what size dog you can have.  But also consider other physical aspects of owning a dog.  For instance, the body structure and weight of the dog.  Dogs like bulldogs and bassett hounds do not appear large, but they can weigh between 50 and 70 pounds, and may have trouble with going up and down stairs or jumping into and out of cars.  Do you have the strength to lift such a dog?  Also, will you be able to handle the physical problems that can come with certain breeds, such as hip dysplasia in large breeds?  Families with children and semi-active adults are usually best off with a mid-sized dog that won’t knock over furniture and children easily.

Grooming

Whether you believe it or not this should be a major consideration for all potential dog owners.  Longer hair breeds require regular brushing and in some cases will require frequent bathing.  Even short hair dogs who shed will mean that you have got to vacuum your carpets and furniture more regularly.  If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, they are liable to require more frequent baths and brushing.  Before you purchase a dog take this into consideration – you want your dog to stay healthy looking and this means proper grooming.  Your house will be over-run with dog hairs if you do not pick a breed that works for your cleaning habits

You might not think so, but making the decision to get a dog is like the decision to have a baby. They both entail a lifelong commitment.  A dog that fits into your lifestyle will become not only a best friend and companion but you will get the added benefit of unconditional love in return for the care you give your dog.

Hunting dogs are a lot of fun and great pets, but you have to make sure you have all the proper training supplies. Some great products out on the market include Garmin Atro 220 Tracking Collars and Innotek 1000 Dog Collars

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