“Awww, he’s so cute!” Have you ever thought this about a puppy and wanted to bring him home immediately? Most people have. Choosing the right breed of dog should not be done on a whim, however. Your lifestyle and needs should be considered carefully before you bring a puppy or dog home. Your contentment and the dog’s should be your top priority so that both of you are happy and healthy. First, ask yourself why you want to get a dog and how your life will be changed by owning and caring for a dog. The answer to this and the following questions will help you to start to narrow down your breed choices.
If you have children in your home, how old are they?
The reason that this question is so important is that some breeds simply are not ideal around children. Dogs that are going to be around children need patience and they need to be sturdy. Remember, a toy breed (or small dog) can be easily injured by pick-up and drops by children.
How much space do you have?
If you have a dog that needs a lot of activity to stay happy, you need to take into consideration the size of your home and the availability of a yard. The more active a dog is the more ‘real estate’ he has going to need to be happy. Smaller or inactive dogs are ideal for apartments or smaller homes.
What is your activity level?
Are you willing to walk a dog for at least twenty minutes a day, twice a day? A well-exercised dog is a happier, better-behaved, more content dog. Be honest with yourself about how much exercise you do normally and how much time you’re willing to give. Getting a dog in order to get yourself more active is okay, as long as you’re realistic about keeping that promise to yourself and to the dog. If your dog will be spending a lot of its time indoors, make sure you choose a breed that’s much more relaxed.
How much time do you have?
Dogs enjoy people as much as people enjoy dogs. Make sure the breed of dog you choose will fit in with the activities you like to do. If you live a very hectic life with a schedule full of work and outside interests, then a dog probably is not right for you. If you like to spend your spare time relaxing with a good book, then a quiet lap dog would suit you. If you jog, swim, bike, hike, or explore, a large breed dog may be perfect for you. Choosing a breed that is as active as you are is very important.
After you have answered all these questions, you should have a good idea of your limitations and expectations. Narrowing down to the right dog breed for you will be easier. The last two considerations, adult dog size and grooming, should eliminate more possibilities and get you down to one or two options.
Full Grown Dogs
Size considerations are very important. Let’s face it while a puppy may start out weighing only a few pounds, the size that he’s going to grow into is an important consideration. Remember, if your dog is going to have trouble getting in and out of cars, getting up and down stairs, etc., you might be called upon to pick him up. While it is one thing to pick up a ten-pound Pomeranian, it is quite another issue to try to pick up a sixty-pound bulldog! Find out if you are able to heft that dog up if he needs your help. Mid-sized dogs is perfect for families with small children or for a semi active adult, but you do not want a dog that is so big that he can easily knock over a child or your furniture.
Grooming
Whether you believe it or not this should be a major consideration for all potential dog owners. Longer hair breeds require regular brushing and in some cases will require frequent bathing. Even short hair dogs who shed will mean that you have got to vacuum your carpets and furniture more regularly. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, they are liable to require more frequent baths and brushing. Before you purchase a dog take this into consideration – you want your dog to stay healthy looking and this means proper grooming. Your house will be over-run with dog hairs if you do not pick a breed that works for your cleaning habits
You might not think so, but making the decision to get a dog is like the decision to have a baby. They both entail a lifelong commitment. A dog that fits into your lifestyle will become not only a best friend and companion but you will get the added benefit of unconditional love in return for the care you give your dog.
Hunting dogs are a lot of fun and great pets, but you have to make sure you have all the proper training supplies. Innotek has some great products out there, such as the Innotek Field Pro Series, the Innotek ADV-1002, and the Innotek ADV-300P.