Categories

With millions of dog owners in the world, you might be considering joining the ranks as well. Whether you´ve owned a dog in the past or you´ve thought about owning your first pet for the family, the choice of breed can make all the difference in terms of your dog owning experience. To ensure you choose the best dog for yourself, your lifestyle, and your family, here are some questions to ask yourself as well as some breeds that will fit your needs.

How Much Time Do You Have?

The one thing many new dog owners forget is that dogs do take up a considerable amount of your time. Unlike cats, dogs require constant attention and stimulation in order to remain happy and healthy. If you´re not ready to spend hours and hours a day with your dog, you might want to stop your search here. Dogs require trips to the vet, trips to the outside for relieving themselves, regular exercise, and boarding when you might be away for a vacation. But there are dogs which do not need as much interaction each day, making them the perfect fit for those who might be away at work for long periods of time. The Chinese Crested or a Maltese can fit into this type of lifestyle.

Do You Want a Guard Dog or a Friendly Dog?

Just as with humans, some dogs are nice, while others can be less so. If you are single and you want a dog that might be a protector as well as a friend, you might want to choose a breed like a German Shepherd or a Border Collie. These two intelligent breeds will discern between friend and foe, while also being appropriate for families. The friendliest dogs tend to be the smaller breeds, like a Shibu Inu or a Pomeranian.

Do You Have Allergies?

While some people with allergies might avoid dogs altogether, this doesn´t have to be the case. There are actually a number of dog breeds that are perfectly suited to families and to individuals with allergy troubles. Some of the best dogs for allergy sufferers include: Boston Terriers, Schnauzer, English Toy Spaniel. If at all possible, see if you can bring your chosen dog home for a few days to see how your allergies ´behave´ in order to make sure you and your dog will be happy.

Do You Want to Train Your Dog?

There are a number of dog breeds that can be more difficult to train, requiring more time and attention – even obedience school in some cases. If you don´t want to spend this additional time training your new pup, here are some breeds you should try to avoid: Shih Tzu, Bassett Hound, and Mastiff. In the end, choosing a dog breed can often come down to simply sitting with the dog and feeling out their personality. Just like meeting a new person, each dog has its own quirks and its own communication style. There is a perfect breed (or breeds) for everyone, though it might take you some time as you shop around for your new pet. Take your time, consider your choices, and bring home your new best friend.