Family Pet: What Dog Breed Fits Your Lifestyle?

More on Choosing the Right Dog
If you are an energetic, action type person then a cute little lap dog is probably not the right dog for you, at least not if you want your dog to be part of your everyday life. Alternatively, a bouncy, full of energy beagle will get restless and bored (and in trouble) just sitting around in your one bedroom apartment all day. Deciding what is the right dog breed that matches your lifestyle will make all the difference in the quality of your life and your dogs as well. Dogs aren’t passive little creatures that you can turn off and on at will. To the contrary, they’re full of life, in your face (and sometimes on your bed, if you let them) little creatures that demand care, attention and some affection.

One common problem in choosing a puppy is that all puppies look gorgeous, no matter what they’re going to look like when they grow up. It’s so easy to fall in love with a puppy.  They waddle around and jump and play, and lick you, and curl up on your chest and go to sleep when they’re tired.  But they don’t stay that way. Puppies grow up much more quickly than a baby does.  By the time your puppy is one and a half to two years old he’ll be entering into puppy adolescence and he’ll be demanding your attention. If you haven’t trained your cute little puppy by then you’ll be in for a surprise, especially if you didn’t realize that the cute little butterball was going to grow up into a gangly, two feet high at the shoulder, retriever! Ever had one of those jump up all over you?  Research beforehand how big your pup is going to grow and match the full grown dog to your house, yard and lifestyle.

No matter how good your puppy is, it will still require time and attention. If you are just moving, having a baby, or having other big lifestyle changes you might want to hold off on getting a puppy.  You will have to spend a considerable amount of time with your new pup, especially if it’s going to be an indoor, part-of-the-family pet. There’s crate training, obedience training, trips to the vet for shots and boosters.  Pups get sick, they dig holes and chew furniture and shoes.  If you’re not ready for all of that, don’t buy a puppy.

Another fallacy is the thought that ‘the kids will take care of the pup’.   Kids love dogs, they play with them and can be wonderful companions.  But children need to be trained to properly take care of and train the family pet. If you buy a dog and think that the kids will take care of it, you may end up taking care of the dog yourself and trying to teach your kids how to responsibly take care of and train the family pet.  Believe me, I’ve experienced this first hand.

So, if you need a jogging or walking buddy consider getting a more energetic breed providing your home and location is fitting for an energetic dog and only if you will have dedicated time to exercise your dog daily. If you want a sweet little toy dog look at the smaller breeds.  Big and loveable?  Check out the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter.  Look up havanese dog information. Your dog is going to become a part of your family, so take the time to make the right choice.

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