What’s the Right Breed For You?
Planning on getting a dog this year? Whether it’s your first dog or your 40th there are some question you should honestly answer for yourself before choosing a breed, or a mix of breeds, because NOT all breeds are good fit for everyone!
Choosing a breed of dog by how it looks alone is a BAD idea! Just because Matt Damon or George Clooney (or whomever your favorite famous hottie is) is on your Elevator List doesn’t mean you could actually stand to live in close quarters with them for 15+ years. And depending on the breed, dogs live between 12-20yrs. Here are some of the questions I think narrow down the field the fastest. Q. Do you have kids? Or do you have kids that frequently visit? Not all breeds have the temperament or patience for kids. And while some breeds who aren’t recommended for life with kids can be trained to be civil, some breeds require A LOT more minute-by-minute supervision & maintenance to achieve the same results. So how hard do you want to have to work to make sure everyone gets along? Some breeds are more fragile than others, so the bustle of kids may put them at high risk for being injured. So again, how much do you want to have to actively supervise? Or would your rather have a sturdier dog that doesn’t need special precautions. Q. What do you like to do for fun? If reading on the couch is your favorite pastime then a high energy dog that gets bored easily may not be the best match. Q. What is your exercise style? If you are active & want a dog to run or bike with you: short-legged, heavily boned, or low energy characteristics aren’t going to make you happy. If you enjoy a leisurely stroll int he evening a high-energy dog will only stress you out. Q. Any interest in participating in dog sports? If you want to dabble in dog sports a more work-minded dog will be a better choice. If you would rather not spend every weekend at dog shows you may want to steer away from breeds that bored easily. Q. What are your basic obedience expectations? If you want a dog that can be taught to be reliable off-leash you may want to steer away from the Hound Group entirely, especially the Scent Hounds. If you are ok with your dog needing to be fenced or leashed 24/7/365 and have no strong feelings about fast obedience responses then the hounds may be a good group for you.
Other factors to consider: Q. How much do you travel? Will you want your dog to come with? It’s an expense to board every time you are out of town, but will that Great Dane fit in your car? Q. Where do you live? Many giant breeds are actually well-suited for apartment life as they tend to have less exercise requirements as their toy-counterparts, assuming you can make a space for their crate. Many medium & smaller dogs size-wise “fit” better in a smaller domicile, but again refer back to your answer to “What is your exercise style?” Q. How do you feel about dog hair that is NOT on the dog? **NO dog is hypo-allergenic** But the longer the hair the less you will find on your couch & clothes. The shorter the hair the more you will find on your clothes & in your house. The flip side to that coin is that the longer the hair the more frequent the grooming appointments, & curly haired breeds (Bichon, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog) ALL need to be groomed every 4-8wks. So along with dog hair NOT on the dog how do you feel about having to comb your dog’s hair on the regular to keep it matt-free? Q. What is the weather like where you live? If you live in the northern states where there is plenty of: snow, ice, wind, & temps below zero a dog with a short coat is going to have a harder time, & you will need to take extra precautions to keep them safe & warm. If you live in the south & the weather is: hot & humid dogs bred for the snow are going to struggle to not overheat, as will breeds “with no nose” as the flat-faced dogs aren’t as efficient cooling themselves off with panting.
Have a “Short List” of breeds you think you would like? Contact a local rescue group. Go to a dog show. The people there would be happy to talk to you about their breed. Most are advocates, because even thought they love their breed, they know it’s not for everyone & they don’t want to see dogs in homes where it’s not a good match only to end up in a shelter or without a home. There are pros & cons to every dog, it’s about finding a dog that the “cons” fit into your life-style so that it doesn’t feel like an inconvenience.
