Dogs are our most loyal friends for centuries. They are the cutest, funniest and friendliest ever. But choosing them as a pet can get hard and confusing too. Why?
Well, according to 2019 research there are almost 340 dog breeds in the world! All of them have different characteristics and needs. Moreover, almost all of them serve different purposes. Then how can you choose the perfect one for you?
Don’t worry, we got you covered. In this article, I’ll discuss 7 factors to consider when choosing a dog breed. So, let’s find out.
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1 . Temperament
A dog’s temperament is the most important thing to consider before choosing him/her as your pet. Because temperament is the basic characteristic or nature of a dog breed. Every dog breed has a different temperament. Some dog breeds are known for their playfulness and friendly behaviour while other dog breeds are known for their aggressiveness and protective nature.
For this reason, you need to consider a few things.
First, you need to consider your needs. For example, if you need a guard dog then you can go for the aggressive one. Again if you need a fur buddy to company your kids then go for the playful breeds.
Secondly, you need to match your lifestyle with your desired dog breeds temperament. Because if you adopt a very active dog and your lifestyle is not that active then you’ll have to get disheartened later.
Thirdly, you need to consider your desired breeds compatibility with other animals or persons. Because if you live in a crowded neighbourhood and your dog is not compatible with other people or pets, you may have to suffer.
But how will you know the temperament of your desire breed?
The best way to know the temperament of a dog breed is to spend time with it or consult a person who has. Other than that there are always books, journals and articles.
2. Size
Another common but important thing is the size of the breed. Here, you don’t only need to consider the breed size but also your house and vehicle size. Because bigger dog breed needs a bigger space to live properly. They need a lot of exercise and space to play. So, If you have a spacious house with a backyard you can consider adopting a big fur buddy. Again if you live in an apartment, you can consider adopting a smaller breed.
However, a smaller breed does not mean they don’t need exercise or space to play. But they can live in a small area and stay fit.
3. Cost
Yes, cost is another big factor in choosing a dog breed. We all have the idea of how costly a purebred dog can get. But before choosing a breed you won’t only have to consider the price of your desired breed. You also have to consider the food habits and food costs, vaccination and medical cost, grooming cost, licensing and boarding cost, leash or belt cost, toys and accessory cost and many more.
If you consider the above costs of a particular breed and the expenses go with your financial status then you can adopt that breed without a doubt.
4. Climate
You must consider your preferred breeds compatibility with your area’s climate before adopting your pup. Why?
Because most of the dog breeds needs to be in weather that suits it. For example, a husky or a malamute was bred for the frigid weather. If you adopt a husky in tropical weather it’ll suffer and most likely get sick very often.
So, please consider the climate of your area before choosing your favourite breed.
5. Children & Family Members
Your fur buddy will not only be yours if you belong to a family. So, you must consider your family members opinion before choosing the perfect breed. You should also consider a few things
Firstly, you should find out if any of your family members are allergic to dogs. If so then you can consider adopting a hypo-allergenic breed such as Poodles, Shih Tzu, or Maltese.
Secondly, if you have children then choosing a smaller breed won’t be a good idea. Because small children may consider your pup as a toy and may harm it. Again you should also consider your dog breeds nature of your dog breed. If they are friendly with children or not. Because you will never want your children growing up with an aggressive dog.
Lastly, you should consider your families future needs. For example, Most of the dogs live for 10-15 years and you chose your dog for your children. But your children won’t be around always. So, when they grow up and go to college, will you be able to take care of your old dog?
6. Age
Age can be a big factor while choosing a dog breed. Because unlike any other animal dogs behave according to age. A puppy will be playful, sleepy and curious while a big dog will be active, protective and friendly. So, you have to know your preferred breeds behaviour according to their age.
However, you should choose your dog breeds according to your preferences. Let me be more specific.
If you have enough time for your pet then you can choose to have a puppy. Because puppies need more time and care. Moreover, you need to spend a lot of time to train your puppy.
Again if you have less time for your fur buddy, you should choose an older dog. Because older dogs need less care and no training. Moreover, you can also know your pups health condition from the previous owner or breeder.
7. Energy Level
Most of the dogs are energetic and playful. They need a lot of exercises to stay fit. Moreover, most of the dogs need enough mental and physical simulations to be happy. But different dogs have different energy level.
So, before choosing a breed, you should know it’s energy level. By that, you can easily know how much time and energy you have to consider for your dog’s exercise.
Last of all if you consider all of the above factors you can easily choose your dog breed. But be open-minded while choosing your preferred breed. Because expensive dogs don’t mean it will be perfect for you and your families need.
Moreover, if you want a happy and lifelong committed friend, you should also be committed to your dog.
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