Finding the right dog for you

It can be overwhelming choosing the right dog for your and your family as there dogs of various breeds, sizes, and ages. However, choosing the right dog for you and your family is an important choice that will affect the lives of your family and you for many years to come.

Age:

One of the first things to consider when choosing a dog is the age of the dog you plan to get as the energy level and needs of a puppy, a adolescent, adult dog and senior dog vary. Puppies require the most work at first as they tend not be house trained and have little training. As a result, Puppies cannot be left alone for very long. All dogs of all ages benefit from basic training when adopted or bought but puppies need to be properly socialized as well which takes more time and effort. However puppies have the most energy which is perfect for active and high energy households. Adolescent dogs are more likely to be house trained but will still be quite energetic. Adult dog are even more likely to be house trained. You will also be able to better tell the temperament of the dog once they become an adult. Senior dog might be the right fit if you want a lower energy dog. However senior dogs are more likely to face sickness and die earlier. 

Breed 

Although dogs have many common traits among them, a dog’s breed can affect a dog’s energy level, temperament, and behaviors. Dogs from working, herding, sporting, and terrier groups such as golden retrievers ,cairn terriers, and huskies have higher levels of energy and need constant exercise and mental enrichment which includes playing and training. Some breeds are more vocal as they were breed to alert their owners to scents such as the Hound group or to changes in environments such as the Terrier and Herding breeds which includes German shepherds. Some breeds have specific facial features such as short snouts such as the Shih Tzu while some breeds have difficulty in walking. There are 7 main groups of breeds according to the kennel club. All breeds in the groups have similar characteristics which can help you decide the dog you will choose. Make sure to research your dog’s breed and breed group before bringing them home. Some important questions to ask yourself to decide what breed you want to adopt from include “How big will the dog be once it is fully grown?”, “How much does the breed typically shed?”, “Does the breed require regular grooming from a professional?”, “What is the typical energy level of the breed?”, “What was the breed originally bred to do?”,, “Does the breed have physical traits such as a shortened snout that can affect the dog’s exercise habits?”, “Is this breed generally social or independent?”, and “what is the typical lifespan of this breed?”. Remember that Large or high energy dogs will need people who are active, young, and strong who would be able to safely and consistently walk them.

Size of dog 

A dog’s size can affect many things including the space the dog takes up. It also affects the equipment you buy such as the dog beds you need to buy. Large dogs live fewer years than smaller dogs so think of this factor while deciding what dog you will buy or adopt. 

Lifestyle considerations 

Make sure to consider your lifestyle when buying a dog. Puppies will need more attention and exercise which may be great if you have an active lifestyle and want to bring your dog with you. If you have a more moderate lifestyle or don't want to bring a dog with you then choose a calmer dog .If you must be out of the house for many hours a day then a puppy is likely not the best option .The age and abilities of the people in your house is also something that you should consider when choosing the type of dog for you. Children are full of energy but they can also be unpredictable from a dog’s perspective. For a family with children, a timid or anxious dog may not be the best choice. If you have elderly members in your family, a puppy who is full of energy may not be the best choice as it may cause these family members to be tripped or be pushed by the dog. It is also important to consider your home’s size and access to the outdoors or a park. A puppy or a younger dog will need constant exercise and play as well as a space to run so if you have easy access to the outdoors or to the park and have a large space a puppy or a younger dog may be suitable.