Getting a dog can be the best idea someone might have – they offer companionship, give you the excuse (or reason!) to exercise, and they’re just great to have around in general. But it’s wise to be aware that dogs come in various breeds, and each of those breeds will have its own unique characteristics, temperament, and needs. That’s why, before committing to getting a specific dog or type of dog, it’s crucial to understand what breed is going to suit you best and really fit your lifestyle, personality, and living situation. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about what you should be looking for and learning about before you pick your brand-new furry friend.
Know Your Lifestyle And Needs
The first thing you’ll need to do if you want to pick the perfect canine companion is to assess your own lifestyle and what your needs might be when it comes to a dog or anything else. For example, are you an active person who likes to be outside and do outdoor activities like hiking and running? That could mean a labrador or a border collie would be fantastic. Or do you prefer a more laid-back lifestyle with leisurely walks around the local area? Then something like a bulldog or a basset hound might be better. Notice we did mention walking in those scenarios, which is definitely something you’ll need to consider, but you can also see how one type of person would suit a more energetic dog, and one would suit a quieter one.
You also need to consider factors like your living situation, family dynamics, and how much space you have in your home and any outdoor areas you might have. Certain breeds need more space than others, and some are ideal if you happen to live in an apartment, but until you’ve really thought about your situation, you’re not going to know where to start when it comes to finding the right breed.
Researching Breeds
Once you’ve got a better understanding of your lifestyle and needs, it’s time to research different dog breeds to see which ones are going to work for you. Make sure you look into all the different characteristics of the breed you’re researching, including its size (or at least the average size, as each dog will be slightly different), energy level, grooming requirements, and general temperament.
It’s a good idea to keep in mind, of course, that these are all going to be generalizations, and it might be that the dog you get doesn’t fit the mold. However, by doing as much research as possible beforehand, you’ll at least be making the right choice with the information you’ve got.
Size And Space
Size makes a huge difference when it comes to choosing the right breed of dog because dogs themselves come in all shapes and sizes. The last thing you want is to get a dog and for it to be uncomfortable in your home, or for you to be uncomfortable because of the dog you choose.
As a rule of thumb, larger breeds need more space to move around in, so they might not be suitable for small apartments or homes with little or limited outside space. On the other hand, smaller breeds are often quite happy to live in more compact places – although they do still need to go outside, and if you don’t have a yard for them to go into, you’ll need to take them out for walks more often as a consequence. The key is to be entirely realistic about the space you can provide for a dog, and to only choose a breed that’s actually going to fit comfortably into that environment – it’s better for everyone involved, not least the dog.
Energy Levels
Once again, different dog breeds are going to have different energy levels, and this is a big consideration to bear in mind when you’re choosing a dog. Some breeds are really energetic and need lots of exercise and physical activity to stay happy and healthy, while others are more laid-back and quite content with shorter walks and play sessions.
The best place to start is to think about your own energy levels and try to choose a breed of dog that matches up. In that way, it’s going to be a lot easier to handle them and give them what they need, and you’re not going to be too affected and have to change your lifestyle a lot to accommodate that activity.
Grooming Needs
As you might have guessed by now, the grooming needs of dogs are going to vary a lot depending on the breed – after all, some dogs have short, low-maintenance coats, and that means they only need to be brushed once in a while to remove any loose fur, whereas other dogs have long, flowing coats that need a lot of grooming to keep in good condition. If you don’t brush one of these dogs on a daily basis (at least), their coats are going to get matted and tangled and be uncomfortable, not to mention look bad. Then there are some breeds that are more prone to shedding than others, and if you get one of those, you’ll need to clean your home more often.
And that’s just the fur – a dog’s skin and claws are also part of its grooming routine, and you’ll need to think about how easy it’s going to be to bathe the dog, for example (large dogs are heavy – can you lift the weight into and out of a tub?) and clip their claws if need be. So, before you pick a type of dog, factor in how much grooming you’re willing and able to do, as that could narrow your choices down or at least point you in the right direction when it comes to your final decision.
Temperament And Personality
A dog’s temperament and personality are crucial considerations when you’re choosing the right breed, and while your research can certainly give you some insight into what you might expect, individual temperament can depend on a few different factors, like socialization, training, and even genetics.
Think about whether you’re looking for a playful and outgoing kind of dog, or whether you’d rather have a loyal, protective kind of animal in your home. Or maybe it’s a calm and affectionate lap dog that would suit you best.
It can sometimes be hard to choose, so it can be a good idea to spend time interacting with different breeds to see what’s what. If there’s a local shelter you can go to that can work well, as you’ll come across all kinds of different dogs there. Or if you’ve got friends and family who have dogs, you can see what they’re like, and that could help you make the right choice.
Health And Lifespan
Some dog breeds have more health issues than others, mainly because of genetics and breeding, so that’s something else you’ll certainly want to bear in mind, especially if it means ongoing vet care or medication that you have to not just give the dog but pay for as well (insurance can often help, but it will depend on the individual circumstances).
If you’re choosing to buy from a breeder, you can get as much health information as possible, which will certainly help you make a decision, but even if you adopt, you can still ask questions about the specific dog’s health, plus you can check your research about exactly what conditions various breeds are known to suffer from.