1Apets.com Blog - Dog Zone

1. Do you really want a dog?

Owning a dog means accepting responsibility for the life of your pet. You are going to be spending a lot of time, energy and patience (for up to 12 years) with your dog. Then there is the added expenses of: dog food, supplies, veterinary services, and (depending on the breed) regular visits to a dog grooming service. Also there is the significant time and patience required to effectively train and socialize your puppy. Some dog breeds will also require a lot more time and energy everyday for exercise and play time.

2. What kind of dog do you want?

Most dog breeds were developed over time to respond to people’s specific needs and ways of life. Looking at the history of various dog breeds, you can see that they were bred to develop the characteristics for herding, being good companions, retrieving and flushing game, as well as exhibiting traits of provenance and beauty. While modifying some breed specific traits and temperament through extensive on-going training is possible, it is much easier and a lot more enjoyable to choose a breed of dog that matches your specific lifestyle.

3. Do you want your dog to get along well with children?

Not all dog breeds are prone to accept children (as well as other household pets). Look for breeds that accept children, not only in your family, but also other children in the neighborhood.

4. Are you a first-time dog owner?

Of all the 400 or so breeds of dog around the world, many are great for first time dog owners. However some breeds do much better with an owner who has previous experience in handling dogs. Look for a dog who is loyal, intelligent, and easily trainable.

5. What size dog do you want?

Dogs come in all sizes: toy, miniature, medium, large and giant. Small dogs usually don’t require as much exercise or obedience training and they are easier to take on a trip. Medium-sized dogs need at least one good walk each day and they should be obedience trained. Large dogs usually need a yard and long daily walks and they also tend to intimidate neighbours.

6. What kind of coat do you want your dog to have?

Grooming and shedding are a main concern with most first time dog owners. Long-haired dogs may require a lot more grooming than short or hairless dogs. Short-haired dogs require much less work but some shed their fur constantly.

7. How much time do you have for walks and how fast do you want to run?

All dogs need some form of exercise, whether its playing ball or catch in the back yard or going for long vigorous walks. You will need to decide on the amount of time you can spare for this.

8. How much time and patience do you have to invest in obedience training?

All dog breeds require some form of training. Some dogs learn quite quickly and some require constant reinforcement. In fact some breeds require experienced owners as they will take advantage of novice owners.

9. Do you want your dog to be a watchdog or be friendly towards strangers?

Some dogs are predisposed to like strangers and be accepting of regular visitors, while others are aggressive to others. If you have a lot of visitors, you better have a dog that is friendly to strangers.

10. Is someone is your family allergic to dogs?

Some low shedding dogs are called �hypoallergenic’ and may not bother someone with allergies.

11. Do you need a dog that you can leave home alone when you work during the day?

Some dog breeds can adapt to being left home alone if they are given lots of exercise before you go to work and immediately after you get home. As well you could always doggy daycare your dog if you are going to be away for periods longer than 8 hours.

12. Are there dogs that can adapt to being a companion for an elderly person that doesn’t go outside in inclement weather?

While most dog breeds require significant outdoor time for play and exercise, there are some dog breeds which adapt very well to indoor apartment living.

There is much more to choosing a dog then choosing a puppy that is cute and irresistible. It is all about choosing a dog breed that is right for your lifestyle and not expecting the dog to adapt to your way of life. Each dog breed has different characteristics and requirements that you need to understand before you make a purchase. Here’s to your well chosen dog.

About the Author:

Author: Mike Mathews
Website: http://Choosingadog.dog-breed-facts.com
Description: Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: www.dog-breed-facts.com. He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his new E-Book “Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle” at http://choosingadog.dog-breed-facts.com