Every dog has his day-choosing the
right breed for you
Once you have decided to bring a dog
into your life, choosing the breed is the most important decision you will
make. To make the right call, you need to examine your lifestyle, your reasons
for wanting a dog, and your expectations from him.
Let's start with lifestyle:.
Ask yourself how much time you will
have available to walk and care for your dog. A general rule of thumb is
that the larger the dog, the more active care he will require. While it is true
that dog walkers and groomers are just a phone call away, most dog owners will
want to make dog care part of the bonding experience
Do you own a yard? If so, how big is
it? Again, the bigger the dog, the more space he will want to call his own.
Are allergies an issue? Then, you
will want to stick to a breed that doesn't shed.
Do you have children? Are they young
enough that you should factor the gentleness of the breed into the equation? On
this point, size is not always the most telling point. Some larger breeds, like
Labradors and retrievers , are renown for being great with kids. In fact, one
of the biggest dogs of all, the Newfoundland, is one of the best in this
category. Conversely, some smaller breeds are quite territorial. Don't hesitate
to ask questions when evaluating a dog. Ideally, meeting the parents of the
puppy will tell you a lot about his disposition.
Is having a purebred important to
you, or would you be just as happy with a mixed breed? Purebreds, with papers,
come from registered breeders...but be aware that not all breeders are alike.
Reputable dealers follow strict animal welfare practices, but sadly, some
breeders allow dogs to leave in untended conditions, and sometimes with too
little food. That is not the type of breeder any dog lover would knowingly
support. Your best defense to go there in person and look at the conditions in
which the dogs are kept. If you are satisfied with what you see, you will have
not only peace of mind but you will have a much reduced likelihood of your dog
arriving with a ticks, or a medical issue that contracted in the conditions he
live before coming to you.
There those who swear by mixed
breeds. A popular belief among some owners is that a mixed bred will be a
happier dog. While that's up to debate, it can be said that mixed bred dogs do
not have some of the health issues that are associated with purebreds, such as
hip problems in German shepherds.
For those who are open to mixed
breeds, more options are available, such as your local Humane Society, or other
rescue shelters. For some, saving an unwanted dog from being out down is a very
rewarding part of acquiring a pet.
This brings us to the question of
whether to buy a puppy, or to take on a more mature dog. For many reasons
an older dog might fit your lifestyle better than a pup. They have the
advantage of being house-trained and are likely to be less frenetic than a pup.
If you are retired and want a quiet lifestyle, an older dog might be just the
ticket for you.
Once you have made your
self-assessment, you will be ready to research the breed that best fits your
needs. Some internet sites offer tests that will suggest a breed for you based
on the answer you would give to questions like those asked above. Talking to
other owners is also a great source for learning. If you see someone walking
along with a dog that you think you might like, don't hesitate to ask about
him. Dog owners love to talk about their pooches.
Perhaps this will be your first dog.
If so, congratulations. No matter the breed, you are about to discover the joys
of love and devotion from a true companion.
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