Things to Consider When Picking a Breed of Dog

So, you have decided that you and your family are going to get a dog.  So now what?

The first thing to do is figure out what breed or breed mixes would be a good fit for your household.  There are several things to think about when trying to figure out what works best for your family.

Questions to consider…

  • Why does your family want a dog?  Do you understand all that owning a dog entails?  Food costs, vet costs, housing needs, exercise needs, grooming needs, and more.  Some of the most popular breeds also have the highest medical and or grooming costs of owning them.
  • How much you’re willing to invest (time and money) into grooming?  Some breeds (like the popular labradoodle and goldendoodles) require a LOT of maintenance at home and time at the groomer. Think about if you will really have time to do the brushing it requires or the trips the groomer on a regular basis.
  • Does anyone in your household have allergies? If so, you want to narrow your focus to only hypo-allergenic dogs. (Please remember that it is possible to still be allergic to hypo-allergic dogs).  Doodles are NOT hypoallergenic dogs as they are a mix of non-shedding dogs and shedding dogs therefore the amount of shedding will be dependent on how the genes fall.
  • Have you ever owned a dog before? If so, what kind, and what was your experience like?  There are several breeds that are generally not first-time dog owner dogs.
  • How many family members are in your household?  Some breeds are active and do well in active households however if you have a quiet household and get an active breed this could be a problem.  I have a whole article on this called “Are you a Match?” and would recommend reading it.
  • How many children (if any) live in the house, and what are their ages?  Certain breeds are generally not suitable with children due to genetics bred into them for their jobs.
  • Are there any other pets? If so, what are their types and ages?  Some breeds with high prey drive might not be a good fit in a household with small animals.
  • Do you own or rent the type of property you live in, such as an apartment, condo, townhouse, single or multi-family home, or farm?  If you rent does your apartment or condo have a weight limit or breed restrictions.  If you live in a multi-family home picking a breed that is less likely to be vocal might be a must.
  • Do you have a yard or easy access to the outside?  If not, are you willing to walk your new dog in all the elements?  Different breeds have different energy levels. You can’t expect a bulldog (that often have problems breathing through their squished face) to be a running companion and you can’t expect a border collie (which is bred to be a working dog) to be a couch potato with you.

 

Once all those questions have been answered I would start searching the breeds that match your needs.  Remember even if a breed matches your need does not mean that the dog in front of you will.  Every dog is an individual with their own temperaments, characteristics, energy needs, and more.  However finding the breed that fits your needs will narrow your search down dramatically thus making the actual pi