There are many
factors you should consider when choosing a family dog. Brining a dog
into your household is one of the most exciting things and an
experience your whole family should enjoy and this is why it is very
important that you do your research properly in order to be able to
choose the right dog for your family environment. Properly educating
yourself to make the right choice can make the difference between a
successful and enjoyable experience and a disappointing experience
that may leave your family fearful of dogs for life.
Before deciding on
the perfect family dog for your household you should decide who the
primary care giver will be. The primary care giver should be someone
who is at home a lot of the time and who has the time to care for the
dog. Caring for a dog doesn’t only mean feeding him; dogs are
social animals and require a lot of attention as well. If you travel
a lot you should reconsider getting a dog unless someone can take
care of him while you’re away. Are you an active person or a couch
potato? All these things will influence the type of dog you
ultimately choose.
If the primary
caregiver is a child you will have to have a serious conversation
with them about responsibility and what taking care of a dog entails.
Make sure the child understands that this is a lifetime commitment
and that he or she will be responsible for the dog’s needs for the
rest of its life. The child should understand that even when the
novelty of owning a puppy wears off, the dog will still need to be
given a lot of attention and care.
If the caregiver is
a senior you should decide if they are physically able to take care
of a dog, and if so then you may consider a smaller breed dog or a
breed that is easy to handle. Take some time to visit nearby shelters
to get an idea about the different sized dogs available for adoption.
Talk to the shelter staff and try to learn about different breeds of
dogs and their different traits. Just because a dog belongs to a
breed known for its manageability doesn’t necessarily mean even dog
in that breed is manageable – dogs are individuals with individual
personalities. Don’t take home the first dog that manages to tug at
your heartstrings, keep in mind that the dog you choose to take home
will rely on you for the rest of its life, so make your choice
wisely.
If your family is
the outgoing type and you enjoy participating in outdoor activities
such as hiking and camping, you should look for a dog that you can
include in your hobbies. Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German
Shepherds make great companions for active dog owners. These dogs
make great pets for households with athletic, young adults as they
love to play and exercise vigorously. Some of these dogs also enjoy
swimming, so if you like swimming these are good dogs to own.
Spaniels are very active dogs as well but require regular grooming as
they have long haired coats.
If your family is
active but you’d prefer a smaller sized dog, terriers are very
active little dogs. Jack Russell terriers are known for being
hyperactive and as is the case with most dogs in the terrier group,
they need a lot of exercise to remain healthy and happy. Chihuahuas
make great pets for senior citizens because of their tiny sizes. They
enjoy sitting on their owner’s laps while they watch TV or knit and
they are of a very easy to handle size. Chihuahuas also make great
little watchdogs as they will alert if a stranger approaches the
door.
If you’re a fan
of big dogs, there are quite a few you can consider such as the
Pyrenees or Akita. These are impressive dogs but are high maintenance
due to their long haired coats. If these dogs aren’t groomed on a
regular basis they are prone to developing skin conditions. Bernese
Mountain dogs and Saint Bernards are massive dogs that enjoy light
exercise and love to lounge about. Due to their slow, laid back
natures, they may not make the ideal pet for households with
teenagers or very active children.
Poodles make great
family dogs and come in all shapes and sizes. They are a highly
intelligent and easily trained breed and you can find the perfect
poodle for almost any type of lifestyle. There are even tempered
individuals as well as hyperactive poodles so you’ll need to spend
some time with a poodle to determine if its personality will suit
your household. Poodles require professional grooming however, and
you should keep this in mind before getting one.
The more you
educate yourself about the different dog breed available and their
traits, the better you’ll be when choosing your new dog. Read about
breeds you like and try to learn about their particular traits as
well as any health issues they are predisposed to. The last thing you
want to do is bring a dog into your home only to discover he may
develop a genetic condition that will end up breaking your heart. Try
to visit breeder’s kennels to learn more about a breed you like.
Reputable breeders have no problem educating prospective customers
about their dogs.
Read all you can
about the breed of dog you’re considering to decide if it will be
happy in your household and if your family can provide it with the
care it needs. Some dogs have different requirements than others and
you should pick a dog that will fit into your particular lifestyle.
If you’re a laid back person who spends more time indoors than out
you shouldn’t choose an active breed to bring into your household.
Spend time with a dog you’re interested in to learn more about its
personality, you wouldn’t buy a car without inspecting it, would
you? The same applies to pets. Remember that owning a dog is a
lifetime commitment and one you shouldn’t take lightly.
