There are lots of issues that can impact the choice you make regarding the type of dog that’s right for you and your family. If you’re in the process of thinking about this and you want to find the perfect dog for your family, there are so many different approaches and different things you might need to consider in order to arrive at the right final decision.
With so many different types of dog and different breeds out there, this process is certainly not one that you’ll want to rush. It’s always worth taking the time to get this right and taking the time to consider the way forward that might turn out to be the best one for you.
We’re going to talk all about that today and discuss the matters that are going to be most important as you start the process of finding the dog that’s going to be right for your family. Each of the points discussed below will be of importance, so read on now and find out more about all of this.
Start by Thinking About the Size
The first thing to think about is the size of the dog. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that the size of your dog aligns with the size of your home and garden that you currently have at your disposal. The last thing you want is to have a big dog in a small space because that’s not good for you and it’s certainly not good for the dog either. You need to make sure that they have the amount of space that they really need and that they’re not going to feel confined or limited in terms of that space. Size is one of the most important considerations to start with.
Necessary Activity Levels
One thing that you’ll need to think about is how much exercise and activity your family pet is going to need. Some dogs want and need more exercise than others. And when they don’t get the amount of exercise they need, that’s when they can start to become bored and that can impact their health and wellbeing in all sorts of ways. Smaller dogs sometimes need a little less activity, but that’s not always the case. It really depends on the breed, and that’s something that you’ll need to research before deciding which will work for you.
Their Coat and the Maintenance it Requires
Dogs with longer or thicker coats tend to need more attention in terms of grooming and maintenance. You’ll need to think about how the maintenance of their coat is going to be carried out. If not much care is needed, that’s probably something that you can take care of yourself through basic brushing and home grooming. But in some instances, a little more care and attention might be required, and that’ll mean having to hire a professional groomer. This issue is one you’ll need to think about and plan for.
Adopting or Choosing a Particular Breed
If you want a particular breed of dog, you can see if there are any available for adoption. But more often than not, you’ll probably have to go to a breeder in order to find the one that you’re looking for. Choosing a particular breed of dog has benefits as you can find the one that suits your lifestyle and preferences most. But there are also benefits that come with adopting. Of course, adopting is the most affordable option. And you’re also doing a positive thing by offering a dog a home when it really needs one, so that’s something to think about too. You have to remember that every breed is different, and that means their lifespan varies, their health issues vary, and even the diet varies for these breeds, too. The best food for French bulldogs might not be the same as what a golden retriever should eat. So it’s really important to keep all of this in mind.
Consider the Dog’s Age
The age of the dog you choose will also have an impact on your decision. Choosing an older dog tends to be a good idea for older people who don’t have as much energy and don’t want to be walking a dog as much. That’s because older dogs tend to be less energetic and a little slower. But older dogs are also more difficult to train as their behaviors will probably be set in stone already and there won’t be much you can do to change that. So that’s another factor that you’ll probably want to keep in mind.
Get to Know the Dog a Little
Taking the time to get to know the dog a little before you actually adopt them is a good idea. This is certainly true if you’re adopting a slightly older dog and not a puppy. You’ll want to take the time to get to know the dog a little in order to understand it’s needs, its temperament and whatever else you might want or need to know about it before taking it home and making it a part of your family. The more you know about a dog, the more sure you can be that you’re ultimately making the right decision.
Understand the Genetic Variations
There are lots of different variations within various breeds. It’s important to know what you should expect from the type of dog you ultimately choose, so you should look into these genetic variations and what they might mean for you if you’re currently unsure. Sites such as https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/labrador-retriever-breed/f/silver-lab-retrievers-the-411 can help you get a better idea of what these variations can mean, and you can follow the link if you want to find out more about the specific variations within the labrador retriever breed as an example.
Shedding
Shedding is something that you’ll need to consider too. Again, this is something that’s associated with the length and thickness of your dog’s coat. If you have a dog with a shorter coat, you’ll generally find that they don’t shed hair as much, but some shedding will still take place. It’s something you can never really get away from completely, and therefore something that you’ll need to be prepared for before you go ahead and get a dog.
The Allergenic Potential
If you or anyone else in the household has a dog allergy, that’s something that you might have to think about. Some dogs have more allergenic potential than others. Dogs that shed less tend to have a lesser impact on people with dog allergies, so you’ll probably want to choose one of those breeds in that case. It’s something you should research carefully because you don’t want to run into any major allergy issues later on.
Tolerance and Obedience
A dog’s tolerance and their obedience are two things that you’ll definitely need to consider when choosing the dog that’s going to be right for you. Obedient dogs are obviously a lot easier to train and can be a little less work in that regard, so it’s something that you’ll want to consider. And their tolerance is something that matters a lot when it comes to judging whether the dog is going to be good with kids, so that’s something to think about too.
A Breed That’s Generally Calm with Kids
If you’re choosing a family pet, you’ll want a dog that’s going to be tolerant of your kids and not at all aggressive towards them. There are some breeds that are generally a lot calmer with children than others, and that’s something that you’ll want to make sure you’re getting when choosing a dog for the family home. Choosing a breed that’s generally calm is very important as kids can sometimes inadvertently do things that might annoy some dogs.
Ease of Training
If you don’t have a lot of time to train the dog that you ultimately choose, you should try to choose a dog that’s easier to train. This is something that will again depend on the breed. Some dogs are very eager to learn and listen, and these are the breeds that are generally a lot easier to train. And then there are other dogs that are a little more difficult to train because they’re more independent and less willing to listen. So that’s something that you’ll definitely want to look into.
Find an Ethical Breeder
Finding an ethical breeder who’s able to provide you with the breed of dog that you’re looking for without breaking any of the generally accepted ethics within the world of breeding will be pretty important. If you’re not adopting and will instead be looking for a particular breed of dog, making sure that you’re choosing a breeder that’s ethical and considerate is something that certainly will be very important. So always do your research into a breeder before you go ahead and buy one of their dogs from them.
As you can see, there’s lots to think about and plenty to consider. If you are going to be getting a new dog anytime soon, it’ll be important to consider each of these points, and try not to make the mistake of rushing into things. It’s worth taking your time and coming to a decision that’s going to be correct for you and the dog.
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