Congratulations, you have decided to get a dog! But have you wondered which breed of dog is right for you and your family? According to the ASPCA as many as 3.3 million dogs are surrendered to shelters every year. There are many things that you need to take into consideration when choosing which breed of dog is right to avoid unwanted problems that lead to surrender.
I know! I have been faced with this decision a few times in my life! So the first time getting a dog of my own I was thinking a Doberman would be a good fit. They are relatively active, protective and loving of their families. However, after choosing a breeder the potential mother got sick and they were unable to breed her at that time.
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For The Love Of A Pug
After my hopes for a Doberman puppy were dashed, I had been noticing all the funny little pugs wandering around my neighbourhood! And I fell in love. My little boy Nemo came home that Thanksgiving, and I knew there could be a litany of health problems but I didn’t think they would happen to us.
Boy was I wrong! The little man had many of the problems associated with the breed. I also didn’t take into account that he couldn’t walk very far. As a result, walks were much shorter than I would have liked, and he needed to be carried for a lot of the time as he tired very easily.
Bernese Mountain Dog
About two years ago when I moved into my house my daughter started pestering me rather persistently for a dog! Absolutely loving dogs myself, I hesitated knowing the commitment that was involved.
That lasted all of two months when I ran into a giant Bernese Mountain dog at the local hardware store! Again, falling in love right then and there, I rushed home to do my research!
Impressed with what I found, I quickly found a reputable breeder that had puppies available to go home in January! Woohoo we were getting a puppy!!!
Activity Level
Taking into consideration the activity level of your dog is KEY when you are narrowing down your choice of dog breed! With a Doberman, I was ready to go for some runs and long walks with my new friend. Loving Nemo very much after he came home, it was definitely not what I hoped for when I blindly fell in love with a Pug.
Bernese Mountain dogs are very large dogs, but only need 30 minutes to an hour of walking time per day on average. This sounded about perfect to me since I was working long hours full-time in the Finance industry at the time.
Grace and Benson are the perfect energy level for our household! We love wandering down to the beach and up the ravine and exploring the neighbourhood. But after two good walks a day they are tired and ready to settle down.
Active Lifestyle
If you have an active lifestyle and are looking for a companion to join you, consider a more active breed such as a Lab, Retriever or Aussie Sheppard. I can tell you that there is a Belgian Malinois in our area that needs several HOURS of exercise a day! FAR too much for me!
An active dog needs to be tired out or destructive behaviours can start to occur. This can be a reason why many dogs end up getting surrendered. Be sure that you have the time to dedicate to an active breed of dog and enough space for them to get their exercise.
If you choose a working dog breed they need jobs to do or they can get bored and destructive! When mine have finished growing I am considering training them in drafting since that was what they were originally bred to do! And Benson is fast and bouncy so agility I think is a good option for him. Grace with her love of people is a perfect dog for therapy as well!
Couch Potato
On the other extreme are the dogs who don’t require much exercise! As I mentioned above, my little man Nemo was NOT an active dog! Sure, he loved his walks but he was just as content to curl up on your lap or be carried around to see the world. It made it difficult when I wanted to go for longer walks.
Dog breeds to consider if you have a preference for a lower activity level include not only pugs but King Cavalier Charles, Italian Greyhound, Great Dane and English Bulldogs.
Temperament
Finding the right temperament is HUGE when it comes to the right fit! The reason I chose Bernese Mountain dogs was their laid back and easy going temperament! They are also great with children and other animals which is important for me since I already had three cats and a ten year old daughter. Sure, Benson has a high prey drive where squirrels are concerned but for the most part it is easily controllable.
Bernese Mountain dogs are also intelligent and relatively easy to train. They are loyal and eager to learn. As working dogs I also know that they need to have jobs assigned to them. Opening parcels seems to be their favorite one though right now! As soon as I bring a box into the house the dogs are all over it to get it open!
Things to look for when considering temperament include aggressiveness, prey drive, friendliness, and protectiveness. Make sure that the breed you pick is the right fit for your situation to avoid unwanted behaviours such as biting and guarding.
Space
Having the right amount of space is also important! If you have a large dog but they have a lower activity level like mine, you don’t need an acreage for them. I live in a house with a yard, but it’s not overly large by any stretch of the imagination! But my dogs are content to lie around most of the day so it works for us!
Lots of people also have dogs that live in apartments or places with little or no outdoor space. This can work but you need to consider how much exercise you are realistically going to be able to give your dog. A tired dog is a good dog…
Shedding
This is a BIGGIE. I see Doodles everywhere since many people don’t have the time or patience to deal with pet hair. It can be a real challenge to keep your house clean if you have a dog that sheds! Or in my case, three cats and two dogs who shed profusely…You can read here for tips to keep your house clean with pets!
We also can’t have a meal without finding some sort of a dog or cat hair in it…Allergies can also play a part in a shedding versus a non-shedding breed.
If you don’t like dealing with pet hair, consider getting a dog that doesn’t shed. Keep in mind that they will need to be groomed since they don’t lose their fur!
Non-Shedding Dog Breeds
Some of the non-shedding dog breeds to consider are:
- Bichon Frise
- Poodles
- Schnauzers
- Maltese
- Afghan Hound
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Scottish Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Shih Tzu
Cost
Many people don’t realize just how much dogs can cost! And naturally, the bigger the dog…You guessed it…The bigger the cost! I just had to have my Bernese Mountain dog in to the vet for allergy shots. Which are dosed by weight. As are other necessary medications such as flea and tick control and heartworm medication!
Food costs can add up for a larger pet as well. I know this all too well! My dogs eat about 6 cups of dog food a day…each…And then add on any supplements such as joint care and probiotics.
Insurance is another considerable cost if you own a dog! And depending on what kind of breed you get, their medical history can lead to higher costs associated with not only insurance but veterinarian costs.
Medical Issues Associated With Breed
Purebred dogs are typically prone to different medical issues depending on what breed you get. Be sure to do careful research into the breed you are considering to see what you may be dealing with after your dog comes home!
My pug Nemo had many of the typical issues associated with the breed, including entropion and double hip dysplasia. I know that my Bernese Mountain dogs may have considerable joint issues down the road as well. And that they are prone to cancer.
If you are ready and willing to take on a dog that may have certain issues down the road, then go for it! I went into my decision armed with knowledge. And I am taking what preventative steps I can to lessen the chance of my dogs developing medical issues down the road. But if they do, I am prepared to take the steps necessary to deal with it.
Now what are you waiting for?? Get out there and pick your dog!
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6 comments
Great tips and advice! So important to find a good match so the family and pets don’t have to go through more drama!! I only get rescues and everyone of them has been a blessing!
I tried to get a rescue before getting my pups but had a lot of trouble because of my daughter’s age! But yes, the right fit for your family is really important!
Great tips and advice for this soon-to-be dog owner. I had no idea that so much goes into choosing a dog. I was only thinking cute and small. I have a lot to think about. This post is a great start for me. Thanks so much for sharing.
Yes, cute and small can still come with a variety of temperaments and energy levels! Good luck with your choice!
Great info! When we got our rott/lab/chow mix, at eight weeks old, the vet told us that she was a working dog and needed things to do. Best advice ever! She was an amazing companion. Miss her still.
[…] their individual exercise needs. You can learn more about picking the right breed of dog for you HERE! Don’t get me wrong though, there are exceptions with every breed!! There is one super high […]