29 Dec 2020Choosing the Right Dog for You
If you’ve finally decided to get a puppy home, congratulations! You are now a parent to man’s best friend. Now that the decision is made, the next one to make is choosing the right dog for you. There are a lot of factors to consider when getting a dog, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Getting a dog requires a lifestyle change, and the breed of dog you get will affect the extent of those changes.
So what should you look for when choosing the right dog for you and your family?
Shedding
Like us humans, dogs also shed their hair. This could be a deal-breaker for many pet owners who are not too keen on having fur on their clothes and furniture. If additional fluff is something that will bother you, you need to look into getting a breed that doesn’t shed as much. These types of dogs usually are those with longer coats, but then these breeds also require regular maintenance and grooming.
Drool
Like shedding, drool could be a deciding factor for many pet owners. Certain breeds tend to drool more than others such as Bulldogs, Boxers and Bloodhounds when compared to lesser droolers such as Corgis and Dachshunds, amongst others. Cleaning drool can be tiring so make sure it’s something you are prepared for if you go for droolers.
Health issues
Certain dogs suffer from particular health issues and this is more prominent in pure breeds. Others have health issues depending on their physical makeup. For example, dogs with long ears are prone to ear infections, and dogs with short nozzles, such as Bulldogs, often suffer from respiratory problems. Larger breeds such as German Shepherds offer from hip dysplasia or other joint problems which is often hereditary from their parents. This is one of the reasons why adopting mixed breeds is usually looked favourably upon.
Allergies
If you love dogs but have allergies, there are some type of dog breeds that you could go for as they shed only a little – although for severe allergies they still might not be recommended. Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles and Maltese Terriers are great go-to breeds for those suffering from slight fur allergies.
Exercise
Whilst all dogs need exercise, bigger dogs tend to need more in order to prevent health issues.
Energy
If you are looking for a pet with lesser levels of energy, why don’t you look at an older dog? Whilst puppies are full of energy and easily adopted, older dogs tend to get left behind. Besides giving an older dog a home that he may not have got, older dogs require less attention, and have fewer accidents. Older dogs however may come with their share of health issues. Alternatively, you could go for breeds which tend to have a lower activity level, such as Basset Hounds.
Size
Bigger is not necessarily better. For those with a small living space and no garden, smaller dogs may be more suited. Larger dogs need space to stretch their legs, run around and exercise. You also don’t want them knocking over your fine china with their tail. On the other hand, smaller dogs may be more fragile, so make sure you take this into consideration when choosing the right dog for your household.
Barking
Some breeds are known for barking, such as Beagles. If you have neighbours who tend to complain, maybe a different breed would be more suited. Smaller dogs also tend to be yappier.
Costs
Bigger dogs come with bigger expenses. They consume more food and other supplies, so take this into consideration too when adopting or getting a new dog.
Training
As you probably guessed by now, whilst training is ideal for all dogs, those with higher energy levels might need more training than others. Whilst big dogs might need training as they will be harder to control once they grow to full size, other dogs who are considered to be of lesser intelligence then other breeds would also need their fair share of training.
Make sure you do your research before getting a dog, and always adopt when possible.
Whatever dog you choose, make sure he or she is protected! Learn more about our pet insurance plans and be covered for vet expenses or accidents.