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Choosing A Dog - Which Breed is Right For You?
05/04/19 10:55 Filed in: Puppy
Choosing A Dog - Which Breed is Right For You?
Getting a new pet pooch is about so much more than finding something warm and cuddly to love. It's very important that you do some research on different breeds and the type of dog that will suit you and your lifestyle before you rush out to the breeders or your local pet adoption centre. So, to help you on your way we've put together a handy list of research points that you should consider before heading out to find the pup of your dreams.
Some important things to think about when researching which dog is right for you is size (do you want a small, medium or large dog?), maintenance and care (does your chosen breed need lots of brushing or no brushing and does that breed shed a lot?), exercise needs (does the breed need two hours of daily exercise or only short walks twice a week?), personality traits (is the breed known for being aggressive or peaceful?), the size of your home (is your garden or space big enough for the breed you are considering?)
When you're deciding which type of dog you'd like to get it's not only important to think about what types of breed traits appeal to you but also about whether or not you can accommodate those traits. Jack Russells are incredibly active dogs with fabulously curious personalities but if you don't have the time to take your Jack Russel on regular walks and make sure the pup is stimulated then the breed might not be the fit for you at this stage in your life. A good rule of thumb is to always think about the dog's well-being before your own!
Before you consider which breed of dog to get it might also help to think about your existing lifestyle and living situation and jot down the situation your chosen breed of dog would need to fit into. For example if you live in an apartment then your chosen pooch would need to be able to adapt well to apartment living, need less regular exercise and be easy to house train whereas if you live in a larger home but already have other pets then your chosen breed would need to be able to play well with others and have a peaceful personality.
Check out our handy quick guide to dog breeds below for some pointers on which breeds suit which living conditions and different lifestyles:
1. Adapts well to apartment living - Maltese, Boston Terrier and Bolognese. While it seems safe to assume that any small breed of dog would suit apartment living you need to consider that some smaller breeds of dogs (like Jack Russells) are too high-energy for life in an apartment. If you live in an apartment make sure you choose a breed that is quiet, friendly and calm indoors.
2. Good with other dogs - King Charles Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Labrador. Just because a breed is known for its friendly nature does not mean that the breed gets on well with other dogs. Some breeds will attack or attempt to dominate other breeds and its important to choose a breed that is well-known for its good social skills with other dogs.
3. Easy to train - Corgi, German Shepherd, Border Collie. If you don't have much time to train your dog then it's probably best that you choose a breed that is easy to train. Some breeds are able to form associations with prompts a lot more easily than others and it is important to do some research on this before choosing a dog.
4. Great for first-time dog owners: French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, Papillon, Poodle. If you've never owned a dog before then it's best to go for the easier or less temperamental breeds. Dogs who are highly sensitive or assertive may be harder for a first-time owner to manage and you are better off finding the right fit with a breed that is more easy going.
Crystal Espin
