Family Pet: What Dog Breed is Right for You?

Pets are a great addition to any family, no matter what your family dynamics are, providing you find the pet that matches your lifestyle. Of any pet you can keep, the family dog will most likely need the most care, and unless you are willing to provide that care you should look into other pets instead.

There are many breeds of dog, over 150 purebred breeds registered with the American Kennel Society alone!   Each breed has different characteristics, and even within a specific breed dogs have different personalities. Determining which dog breed is a right for your family and its lifestyle is very important.  Choosing the wrong dog can create frustration, destruction and that is why many dogs eventually end up in a shelter, or are put down.

If you’re a first time dog owner and you are simply looking for a family pet for the kids, or for companionship you might want to consider looking at the local animal shelter.  We got our kids’ first dog from an animal rescue unit, a mixed breed of average size and he has turned out to be the most loyal dog we’ve ever had.  Buying a purebred dog costs a lot of money initially and they are sometimes more expensive to keep. Adopting from a shelter will save the life of a dog that would otherwise end up being put down, and many people have even found pure bred dogs at a shelter.

The size and location of your home will also be a determining factor in what size of dog to get.  Big breeds need lots of space and lots of exercise.  Some breeds bark more than others and would be disturbing to neighbors. Small breeds are generally happier in an inside environment. Before buying a pure bred dog, research on line and learn more about the breed of dog you are considering.

Some dogs are great with kids and are considered family dogs. We own a beautiful Golden Retriever and she is a very social animal, always wants to be part of whatever we’re doing.   If you’re a working couple with no children, and you’re rarely at home you may want to get a dog that doesn’t mind hanging out by itself.  If a dog gets lonely you may end up with a dog that has behavior problems.  If you have absolutely no time to spend with a dog you might want to consider getting a cat or a bird instead.

After figuring out generally what type of dog you’d like to get, there are other things to decide.  Do you have the time or money to invest in a lot of grooming? If not, then get a short haired dog that requires minimal grooming.  If you have children make sure the breed you are choosing is great with kids.  While I have seen kids growing up around a doberman, and lying down with the dog to have its bottle they’re not generally considered a family dog.  If you are a real sporty person find a dog that loves to jump and run and is active.  It’s so important to make the right choice in the beginning, so take time to research and don’t buy a dog on impulse because the pup looks ‘cute’.

Finally, before you make your final choice spend some time with the potential pup.  It’s best if you can go to the dog breeder and see how the pups interact with one another. You don’t necessarily want the most aggressive pup unless you’re willing to spend a lot of time training it.  If you have a family and children you want a fairly outgoing pup. If you’re a more quiet type person, go for the quieter pup.  Make sure that all family members get a chance to meet the dog, and are happy with the choice.

If you follow these simple guidelines on dog breeds you will end up choosing a companion that will be faithful, loyal and a good friend to you for years to come. Choose carefully. For more on dogs, anotherdogblog.wordpress.com

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