Choosing a dog can be very exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. I mean, you are committing to care for a living creature who will depend on you for their entire life. When choosing to add a dog to your family, you may have a lot of questions: “What kind of dog should I get?” “What’s the best breed for me?” “Will they be a good fit for my family?”

The first step to being a responsible dog owner starts before you bring your pup home. You need to seriously and thoughtfully assess your needs before committing and making a decision. So, we will talk about some things to consider before adding a pup to your family. There are also breed selector quizzes online that can point you in the direction of the breed that will work best for your lifestyle. You can just google ‘breed selector’ and tons will come up. I checked out the AKC, American Kennel Club’s breed selector and took the quiz. I talk about this a bit more in depth at the end of the blog.

First, Are You Ready For A Dog?

It is critical that you fully think it through and do not make an impulse decision because the cute dog on instagram stole your heart! You must make sure you have the resources to care for a living breathing animal for their entire lives. You should make sure to become familiar with the average cost of care, not just food and treats, but veterinary care. Those bills can add up quick - which means thinking about pet insurance and pricing that out! You should consider how much time you have to be available for your dog, and many other basic elements of dog ownership.

Things to Think About Before Choosing a Breed

Ok, close your eyes and think about what your life would look like with a dog - are they small or big, active to hike with your or vegging out on the couch binging Netflix, do they want to share you with other pets or have you all to themselves, a one-dog household? What I highly suggest is not falling in love with a breed before fully understanding the characteristics of that breed. Some breeds require an involved grooming routine while others need lots of space to run around. And don’t forget each dog is an individual who may exhibit traits that are not typical to their breed. Spending time with your prospective dog before adoption will help you get to know their specific personality and feel clearer on whether that dog is a good fit for you.

Ok, so let’s get into a few breeds that may be a good fit for certain lifestyles.

Dogs for Fitness

If you love the outdoors, you might want a canine companion that shares your love for it. Just about every dog loves to get out, but breeds that LOVE long walk or vigorous exercise tend to be medium-large breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Setters, Border Collies, German Shepards, Dalmations and Weimaraners, say that 10 times fast. Now these breeds need a constant level of exercise, so if you are not hiking that day, you need to be sure to schedule time for high intensity play or a long walk.

Dogs That Love Kids

Now this is I think the first question parents of children ask themselves when considering adding a pup to their family. While just about every kind of dog can turn out to be a great companion for a child, there are some breeds that are particularly known for their love of children. Beagles and Boxers are good for children who love to run and play. Dachshunds are great for gentle, older children. And Labs and St. Bernards adore children of all ages to play with and protect. There are also breeds you should really consider if you have children, such as herding breeds. The herding breeds can make great family dogs, but they innately want to herd and chase.

Dogs Who Are Independent

You are a busy one and always on the go. While dogs are pack animals by nature and need companionship, some dogs are more independent than others and may fit a busy lifestyle. Such as, Alaskan Malamutes, Russian Wolfhounds or Shar-Peis. I had a Shar-Pei at one point, he really was a dog who wanted to be by himself most of the time. You can also help your pup cope with you being gone by having more than one dog, and you can mix and match!

Attention Hogs and Homebodies

If you want a pup that thrives on human attention, think Pomeranian, French Bulldog, or toy Poodle. These breeds tend to need less activity throughout the day than other breeds. For a dog that loves attention and is a good watchdog or one that will bark when strangers are near, your ideal match might be a Beagle, Bloodhound or Cocker Spaniel. My pup, Sassy, is a Beagle/Jack Russel. She alerts us anytime someone walks by the house on the sidewalk!

Pups for Apartments

If you live in an apartment, you’re probably looking for a dog who doesn’t bark at every little thing and one who may not need tons of indoor space. Basenjis are famously known to be non-barking, however they are high-energy and need lots of playtime. Other breeds known to be on the quieter side include Greyhounds and English Sheepdogs, but again they tend to need good long walks and vigorous play. You also may want to steer clear of Bulldogs and Boxers, who tend to snore, and quite loud I may add.

Dogs For Those With Allergies

All dogs have a protein in their saliva and dander that some are allergic to, and there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. However, some dogs produce less dander, and others shed less and so do not drop as much dander filled fur around the house. A few dogs you should consider if you have allergies are Schnauzers, Poodles, Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dogs and Doodles, such as Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Bernadoodle. While Labs, Goldens and Bernese sometimes have more dander and shed more, the Poodle in the vanity breeds reduces it and may be a good breed to consider.

Pups If You Have Issues Getting Around

Whether it’s knee pain, MS, or arthritis, you probably want a pooch who likes short walks and one that can get the exercise they need indoors. So, think big or small! Bullmastiffs and St. Bernards need little exercise as do Basset Hounds, Shih Tzus and Pekingese. Typically medium sized dogs need a lot of exercise and attention.

Dogs Who Love To Socialize

If you love to throw a party, are a habitual socializer or are looking for a love connection you may be looking for a breed who likes to go places and meet new people. People-lovers to consider include Spaniels, Setters, Goldens and Labs. Think of the dogs who always want to say hi to everyone! You may also want to consider Beagles, Huskies and Bichons. These breeds also tend to be very tolerant of people who may not be as familiar with dogs. They are patient and willing to please and very easy going.

Dogs Who Live To Walk

Do you need a bit of an incentive to get up off the couch and get outside - or perhaps you're coping with hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. Well then you should consider Akitas, Airedales (sidenote, beautiful dogs, will walk for days if you let them) or Eskimo dogs. Smaller breeds like Pomeranian and Toy Poodles love to walk, but not very far.

Travelers

Do you travel a lot? You may want a pup to enjoy that with, if you fly a lot you may be looking for a small, easy to transport pup that will fit in a carrier in the cabin of the plane. A Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese might be a good breed. Please note, this is asking a lot of any dog, but these breeds tend to remain calm and quiet when with their people.

Soothing Stress and Depression

Whether it’s the playfulness of the Pug, the self-confidence of a Shiba Inu or the warmth of a Great Pyrenees, having the right dog in your life can help reduce and relieve stress, ease depression and overall make you happier. Add in your pups 'smile’ when they see you, their joy for life and unwavering devotion, it is no wonder that people and their pooches have loved each other's companionship for years!

Should I Get A Pure or Mixed Breed?

Now that you have an idea of what type of dog may fit your lifestyle, you now have to ask yourself: pure or mixed breed? Whether a dog is a pure breed known for specific characteristics or a mixed-breed, dogs are individuals, just like people, and can vary greatly.

Adopt, Don’t Shop

Whether you want a mixed-breed or pure, you can often find the right pip at a shelter or breed specific rescue. Shelters and rescues accept thousands of dogs of every type and temperament, so the chances of you finding your new best friend are high!

So I mentioned earlier about the breed selectors that you can find online. Again, I looked at the AKC breed selector at www.akc.org/dog-breed-selector.

So the quiz was about 7 questions and each question was a very quick multiple choice. The things they asked do you have a dog or have you owned a dog before, how much time do you have each week for training, what is your home life (house, yard, apartment, etc), do you have small children, how much barking can you tolerate, tolerance to shedding and activity level. Oddly enough all the things we talked about. Honestly, I really liked these questions because hopefully they will prompt people to thoughtfully consider their answer. So what was my result? German Shorthaired Pointer! They are a medium sized dog who thrives on exercise, training and love. I’ve got to be honest, love this breed! They are great, I have a few GSP as clients, they are great with their nose, eager to please and sweet natured dogs.

If you live in the Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard or Naperville, IL communities and are in need of a dog walker or pet sitter, we would love to meet your four-legged best friend! Click here to contact us about our pet care services or call 847.802.9534

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