Choosing a Dog
Choosing a dog for your family is an important decision which should be made as a family. Dogs require much care and attention which requires taking time out of a busy schedule to tend to their needs. Some key factors to consider when choosing a dog is size, temperament, breed type (shed or no shed), compatibility, grooming needs, trainability, and your lifestyle. Whether you choose a dog from an animal shelter or a dog store, ultimately, it will require doing some background research on dog breeds and their behaviors.
Shedding is among one of the main deciding factors when choosing a dog. Some of the dog breeds that shed the least are: Most Terriers, Yorkies, Poodles, Malteses, Bichon Frises, Greyhounds, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers and Shih-Tsus. These breeds range from very small to very large. All other breeds will experience a certain amount of shedding. Consult the breeder/salesperson before choosing a dog.
A dog’s size is another factor one should take into consideration when choosing a dog. If you live in the city, in a small apartment, chances are you will not be able to house a large dog comfortably. Therefore, your choice of dog should be medium to small. On the other hand, if you live in a rural community with a yard, your choice is much broader because you have more space.
If you have children, a dog’s temperament is a key factor in choosing a dog. You want a dog that is known to be friendly, gentle and tolerant to the rambunctiousness of children. But ultimately, a dog will only be an obedient as the training he/she receives. Many people hope and pray to have a well mannered dog without exerting any effort to promote that. Training is a crucial factor in the behavior of any dog and must be implemented the moment the dog arrives home. Keep in mind that children should also be trained on how to behave around dogs. Your child should demonstrate self-control and be responsive to the word “no”. Dogs should not be subject to tail pulling and pony rides. All dogs have the potential to lash out and bite. Even they have their limits!!!
Your lifestyle can have a great impact on your dog. When choosing a dog, you should be sure that a dog can fit within your lifestyle. If you have a busy social life, chances are that you should not own a dog. If you are known to work long hours, go on business trips, spend weekends with friends, and party all night, do not do a dog the injustice of living with you. You will only be limiting yourself and torturing the dog in the process.
If you are not such a social butterfly but your time is somewhat limited, you should probably stay away from a breed which requires a lot of grooming, such as a poodle. Poodles need to be brought to the groomer every one to two months. Aside from professional grooming, most dogs require day-to-day grooming.
Trainability is another factor in choosing the right dog. Some dogs that are easier to train are: the American Foxhound, Border Terrier, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Maltese, Yorkie, St. Bernard, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd and Poodle.
Do your homework before choosing a dog because once he comes home, he's home to stay. Remember, you can't return a dog because it doesn't work properly ! :)