How to Pick a Right Breed of Dog for You

If you are thinking about getting a dog or puppy, one of the most important things is finding out what breed of dog you should get. You should take into account how much space you have, how much time you will be able to spend with the dog, and what the dog needs to make it happy. Remember, every single breed of dog is different. I can’t stress this enough. So here are a couple tips and questions you can ask yourself to tell what type of breed you should get as a new addition to your family.

How much space do you have?

One of the most important things to ask yourself is how much space you have. If you have a small, tiny apartment of sorts, it is definitely not a good idea to get a big dog such as a St. Bernard, Labrador, or Standard-Sized Poodle. Yes they are all very cute, but there are many breeds of dogs that are much smaller and just as cute (or cuter if you ask me) that would be more suited for a small space such as a Yorkie, Toy Poodle, or Chihuahua.

How much outdoor space do you have?

Think about how large of a backyard (if you have one at all) you have and is it enough for the dog that you would like. If you want a breed that is very active such as a Border Collie, or Jack Russell Terrier, then it is best if you have a large space. If you have a small outdoor living space, than you should consider some less active dogs, such as Pugs, or Shih-tzus. (If you do get a Shih-tzu, they shed A LOT, so be prepared for that.)

How much time will your dog be home alone?

Dogs need love and attention. They do not want to be cooped up all day long without getting any dog love from their owners. If you have to work and leave your dog alone, make sure that it is not for a very long period of time, you might want to choose a slightly bigger dog, and more older, because smaller dogs have smaller bladders and you most definitely do not want to come home from work to find little puppy messes everywhere. Consider getting Labradors as they are very adaptable to living environments and are very intelligent.

Who do you live with?

Do you have any children that might be frightened with a new addition to the family? Or do you have an elderly person who you must take care of? Take all of this into consideration. If you have enough on your plate with a child or an elderly person than maybe a dog isn’t right for you at all. But if you still would like a dog, a small Poodle or Yorkie will do the trick. They are small, loveable, and they do not bark quite as often as some other breeds do. Also, do you have anyone you live with who has dog allergies? That would be a nightmare to bring home your new dog only to have wheezing and coughing in your house forever. There are many breeds that are more tolerated by allergists.

What are your preferences?

Taking all the information above into consideration, think about what yours and your family’s preferences are. Would you like a small dog, or a big dog? How tolerable are you with shedding? Would you like the dog to bark loud like a guard dog, or bark very little? Do you need the dog to be easy to train? You have to think about all of your preferences and take all the above questions into consideration when getting a dog.

As you can see, there are tons of things you have to think about before making the big step and getting a new dog. Remember, this new addition to your family is not just for you to look at and occasionally play with. You have to make the dog’s life enjoyable, too.

If you are still unsure of which dog would be best suited for you, there are multiple Breed Selecting Quizzes online.

Here are some of the best ones I’ve found:

• Animal Planet: Dog Breed Selector
• Purina: Dog Breed Selector
• K9 Country Dog Quiz