| To bring a dog into the family is a big decision. The | | | | best choice as they have a natural instinct to herd |
| right dog can bring your family years of enjoyment | | | | livestock and may try to do so with your family. This |
| and companionship, whereas the wrong dog | | | | natural instinct may cause nipping incidents to happen. |
| can add miserly and annoyance to your life. There | | | | Existing pets in the household must be considered |
| are many factors to consider in order to make sure | | | | when getting a new dog. The temperament of the |
| you choose the best dog for your situation. This | | | | new dog needs to be compatible with those of the |
| article discuss the important factors to consider | | | | existing pets to make sure no problems will arise with |
| before you bring home the puppy. | | | | the new addition. Territorial problems should be |
| Dog owners don't just go out there and get any | | | | expected. They usually clear up within a week or so. |
| puppy they like! It is not as easy as you think. There | | | | It is recommended to feed the dogs in separate |
| are many factors to consider before you decide to | | | | locations during the introduction period, as food is a |
| buy any puppy breed. Getting the right one will bring | | | | common cause of conflict among dogs. |
| many years of happiness and quality companionship | | | | 4. Financial Obligations - Dog ownership is a long |
| to you and your family. On the other hand, getting | | | | commitment with on going expenses. The initial cost |
| the wrong one will inevitably add headaches and | | | | will vary depending on the breed and type of dog |
| irritations to your life. | | | | you select. On the whole, purebreds cost more than |
| Your financial standing, lifestyle, size and family type | | | | mixed breed dogs, especially if they are purchased |
| are important considerations to be factored when | | | | from a breeder or a pet store. However, purebreds |
| choosing a specific dog type. | | | | from breed rescues and animal shelter are less |
| While some breeds may required more attention, | | | | expensive. It is best to be able to see and meet |
| some require more exercises than the others, some | | | | your potential dog's parents. |
| are more suitable for families with young children, | | | | Apart from the initial purchase price, you might want |
| some are more prone to genetic health issues and | | | | to go to a local pet warehouse to check out the |
| some may simply required more money to own than | | | | prices of dog supplies. Dog food, collars, leashes, |
| others. | | | | toys, food bowls, crates, and any other supplies you |
| There are so many dog breeds out there to choose | | | | think you need for your dog, and not forgetting your |
| from and it is the dog owner's responsibility to find | | | | veterinary bills, grooming expenses and even an |
| out which one is exactly suitable for his lifestyles and | | | | insurance policy. |
| way of living. The number one reason for dogs to be | | | | It is highly recommended to ask friends who own |
| surrendered to animal shelters is that they don't | | | | dogs about their expenses so as to give yourself a |
| match the needs or the lifestyle of their owners. The | | | | good idea of how much you need to commit |
| idea of this article is to help you in choosing the right | | | | financially to a dog. |
| breed of dog to try and reduce the potential issues | | | | 5. Purpose of dog ownership - You should determine |
| that could result when the wrong type is chosen. | | | | your purpose of dog ownership. Do you plan to |
| Here are some important factors to consider before | | | | breed, show, or hunt with the dog? Is the dog |
| you proceed to bring your puppy home: | | | | needed for service, therapy or for companionship |
| 1. Accommodation - All dogs need some form of | | | | only? For breeding or showing, you need a dog that |
| exercise in one way or another, but there are | | | | meets or exceeds the standards for the breed and |
| significant disparities among breeds. Small breeds tend | | | | has all the appropriate documentation of its lineage. |
| to adapt better than large breeds to the smaller | | | | For hunting, you will require a good scent or |
| space available in an apartment. Nevertheless, some | | | | sight-hunting dog. While many dogs are good for |
| larger breeds who are not as active as others can | | | | service or therapy, they need to have good |
| still adapt well. | | | | temperaments, low ability to be distracted, and a |
| Consider how much room do you have for a dog, | | | | willingness to learn. Knowing the purpose would |
| apartment and a house with or without fenced-in | | | | inevitably help to select the right breed. |
| yard makes a different in the type of dog you | | | | 6. Size - Dogs can be largely divided into three size |
| should get. Having a fenced-in yard will cut down on | | | | categories based on their weight at maturity. Small |
| the time required to walk your dog for bathroom | | | | breeds are generally up to 20 pounds, medium |
| breaks and exercising. All breed will adapt well in this | | | | breeds are from 20-50 pounds, and large dogs are |
| type of setting, but the more active breeds will | | | | greater than 50 pounds. |
| require more exercises. Giving a dog sufficient | | | | As a rule of thumb, bigger breeds are unsuitable if |
| exercise is vital to having a good relationship with | | | | you live in a small apartment, or a home with a small |
| your dog. Many undesirable behaviors, such as | | | | or unfenced yard. Nevertheless, this is not the case |
| hyperactivity, nuisance barking and destructive | | | | for all dogs. Some breeds such as the golden |
| behaviors are results of insufficient exercise. | | | | retriever are still better suit living in smaller spaces |
| Regulations in your area regarding dog ownership also | | | | than an active schnauzer. Temperament and activity |
| need to be considered. Some landlords do not allow | | | | level are equally important when selecting the right |
| dogs in their rental units at all, while some | | | | breed. |
| neighborhoods have strict guidelines regarding the | | | | While smaller dogs generally do not require as much |
| size and the breed of dog that can be owned in that | | | | space as larger dogs, caution should be taken with |
| neighborhood. | | | | small breeds due to their small and fragile bodies. |
| 2. Lifestyle - Dogs are social animals and require time | | | | Small dogs can be easily injured by rough play, either |
| from their owners, some more, some less. If you | | | | with people, or with larger dogs. On the other hand, |
| work long hours, a dog is really not the best pet | | | | large breeds can unintentionally cause harm to small |
| choice, especially if you live alone. A pet like a cat or | | | | children when playing. It is also found that large |
| fish that require less upkeep may be a better fit for | | | | breeds have a shorter life span of 8-12 years while |
| your lifestyle. | | | | small breeds can live up to 15 or 16 years. |
| While there are some breeds that do not mind being | | | | 7. Temperament - Purebreds generally display |
| left alone for longer period (Shetland sheepdog, | | | | well-understood mental temperaments and |
| golden retriever and bloodhound), many can suffer | | | | characteristics while mutts are more difficult to |
| from separation anxiety and went on to develop | | | | gauge. It is recommended to seek advices and |
| undesirable behavior problems. Don't commit the | | | | consultation to choose a dog's temperament to |
| crime of condemning an essentially social dog to lead | | | | complement your existing lifestyle. If you have |
| a life of anxiety, and boredom. If you really cannot | | | | children, look for dogs with a low tendency to bite |
| live without a dog, engage a dog sitter or put him at | | | | and a high tolerance for handling. If it is a guard dog, |
| a dog daycare centre. | | | | you want it to be obedient but still able to |
| 3. Family - Make sure that everyone in the family is | | | | effectively guard the territory. Dogs that are overtly |
| supportive of a dog. There are breeds with tendency | | | | aggressive should be avoided always. |
| to show aggressive behavior and biting problems, | | | | In a nutshell, adding a dog to your family is a life |
| which in most cases are unsuitable for families with | | | | changing and long commitment. Consider carefully |
| younger children. Young ignorant children are likely to | | | | before you decide to bring the puppy back. Take the |
| irritate the dogs through rough play without knowing | | | | time to choose the best dog breed. By doing so, I'm |
| what they are doing. Dogs joining a household with | | | | sure you will get to enjoy and be rewarded many |
| small children must be very tolerant of the children's | | | | times over by the love, affection and good company |
| play. Dogs from the herding group may not be the | | | | that he or she will bring into your life. |