There are so many factors to picking the perfect dog breed and
everyone will emphasize one factor or another in their
selection process. Generally it is recommended by most breeders
and professional trainers to try to match a breed to your
lifestyle, rather than simply choosing a dog and trying to
match your lifestyle to their needs and temperament.
There are general characteristics that each breed has although
not all dogs within the breed will exhibit these
characteristics to the same degree or in the same manner. Mixed
breed dogs are more challenging when trying to predict the
various attributes as there is no way to know which breed
characteristics they will favor for each trait.
Generally the most important considerations for choosing the
right breed of dog include:
- Size - avoid getting a dog based on his or her size as a puppy.
Many of the very large breeds are relatively small as puppies,
but quickly grow much larger than your house or apartment can
manage. If you have a large fenced yard and a bigger living
area either a large, medium or small dog would be fine. If you
live in an apartment or smaller house perhaps a medium to small
dog is best. For those that live in very small spaces a toy or
miniature breed is likely the best choice.
- Breed type - various breeds have been bred and developed for
hundreds of years or longer to perform various tasks for
humans. Don't expect to choose a breed that is a hunting breed
and not expect some difficulty in helping it understand not to
chase the cats or other pets in your yard. In addition working,
herding or guarding dogs will also have natural tendencies that
may or may not work with your lifestyle.
- Exercise level - each breed has its own general exercise level
that is not necessarily based on size. There are some small to
medium breeds that require a lot of activity and exercise
whereas some of the larger or giant breeds are very sedate and
calm dogs requiring little exercise.
- Health concerns - almost all breeds have some genetic health
concerns but clearly understanding all the issues before
deciding on the breed is important. Buying from a reputable
breeder will eliminate most of the issues but there is still
the chance that health conditions may arise with the breed.
- Experience with dogs - some breeds tend to do better with a
more experienced dog owner as they may be stubborn, headstrong,
or even naturally very dominant. Breeders and information from
breed associations can help you decide if the breed is right
for you if it is a challenging dog to train or work with.
- Tolerance of children - if you have children in your home or
are planning on having children it is very important to ensure
the breed you are selecting is a "child-friendly" breed. Some
dogs just naturally love being around kids whereas others are
less likely to be a good combination or match.
Research the breed of dog that you are interested in looking
for both challenges and benefits to raising the dog. Pay close
attention to the temperament of the dog as well as if the breed
tolerates being left alone or if it requires constant attention.
Doing your homework and selecting the perfect breed of dog will
ensure a good fit and will help you find just the dog you are
looking for.
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