It’s a big decision to get a dog, and no doubt you will have thought long and hard about whether you have the time to make such a serious commitment.
Having a furry friend in your home can be a real delight…but if you pick the wrong breed, it could quickly turn into a nightmare for both you and the dog. Many people have a favourite type of dog, but you need to stop and consider whether you can provide everything that the breed needs. Here are a few ideas about how to choose a dog breed which suits your domestic needs.
Size and exercise
The size of the dog and the exercise they may need are two qualities which are both separate yet often related. Not all large dogs need lots of exercise, indeed some can tire very easily in comparison to their size. Greyhounds are famous for their speed but when kept as pets require very little exercise and can comfortably be kept in a house that only has a small garden.
However some terriers like to have the chance to stretch their legs properly, and despite their diminutive size, can run for a while.
Great Danes won’t be suitable for every house and need lots of exercise (and food!). Therefore, make sure you get a breed which you have enough time to walk morning, noon and evening. If you don’t think you can fit in sufficient walks but the dog fits your needs in every other way, you might want to consider using the services of a professional dog walker.
The other factor to consider is whether the size of the dog will allow it to be comfortable in your home. If you get a big dog who barely has room to turn around, it will be difficult for them to relax. Get the size of dog which allows them to have plenty of room to play and a bit of a scamper around.
Personality
It’s not just the size of the dog and their need for exercise which you need to consider, but also their personalities too.
Although every dog is uniquely individual, certain breeds tend to share similar traits.
For example, toy breeds have been primarily bred as companions, with their working traits weakened and bred out of them, giving them the perfect temperament to be a pet. Toy breeds thrive on being close to their owner and crave affection, contact and plenty of attention. In direct contrast, hounds were bred to live in packs and whilst they are sociable, they are far happier with less physical contact.
Some breeds – such as herding dogs – form a close bond with just one individual while others, such as gundogs, can be great for the whole family.
The traits that you seek should be those which best fit your domestic circumstances, allowing you to pick the dog that will be happiest in your home, as well as giving you the kind of relationship you want.
Hair of the dog
Dogs by their very nature are hairy beasts and it’s impossible to escape a bit of fur around your home.
But not all dogs are shedders. This means you should consider whether you want a dog that has hypoallergenic fur and doesn’t shed onto the furniture.
Being hypoallergenic doesn’t mean a dog won’t shed hair, but if it does, then you won’t suffer an allergic reaction. This kind of dog is perfect for allergy sufferers, such as those with asthma.
Breeds like Dalmatians shed a lot of hair that just about gets everywhere
Some breeds shed far more heavily than others; pugs, golden retriever and dalmatians being three such examples. In order to prevent your home being buried under a pile of hair you will need to set aside some time to groom these breeds every day.
Conclusion
Deciding whether you can offer a dog what it needs is not a uniform decision and until you have looked at what each individual breed requires, it’s impossible to say whether you have the right facilities. Every breed is different and some are more demanding than others, so finding the perfect dog for your domestic needs takes preparation, planning and plenty of homework in advance! You will also need to know about how tailster can help new dog owners with finding trusted local sitters, walkers and dog boarders too – search now on tailster.com for your nearest dog service professionals.
Image Credits: Bad Apple Photography and Pulkit Sinha