May 19th, 2020 by Amy Varley

We often see a cute dog or puppy and say, “aww! I would love to have one of those one day!” But looks aren’t everything when it comes to choosing a dog! Many dogs that find themselves in rescue centres are unfortunately there because they were bought on a whim and their ‘owners’ didn’t research the breed carefully beforehand.

Ask yourself, “What do I want from a dog?”

How do you see your life with a dog? Lounging around in the garden with a lap dog? Or out and about hiking and exploring with your four-legged friend? This is possibly the most important question you should ask yourself before you decide which dog you are getting. All dogs were originally bred for a specific reason, and will have genetic traits which it is near impossible to breed out of them. An example of this are Cocker and Springer spaniels. Spaniels were bred to be working dogs, to be active and on the go all the time, so if you aren’t prepared for a hyperactive dog who wants to be running around exploring and possibly being a little cheeky, then a spaniel probably isn’t the dog for you, no matter how cute you think they are!

Space

The type of property you live in will more than likely determine the size of dog that is suitable for you. A boisterous puppy such as a boxer that will grow up to be a large dog is probably not the right fit for a family living in a small flat, whereas a small dog such as a Lhasa Apso would be an ideal fit for a small space. It’s often thought that large breed dogs do need masses of space and land, and while this is partly true, you shouldn’t always write yourself off from having a big dog with a small living space. If you are prepared to put in the work by training and mentally and physically stimulating your dog (as this is just as important as giving them space), a larger dog could still be an option for you.

Family

Before looking for a dog breed, you should take into account your family situation, do you have small children? If so, you should research which breeds are best with children. It can be beneficial to look for a patient breed, such as a bulldog who will put up with children running riot! Of course, you need to make sure your children are ‘dog-savvy,’ they need to be taught how they should behave around dogs to avoid any conflicts! A family of an older couple who would like a dog to help get them out of the house whilst still being a good companion would probably be suited to a low exercise companion dog, such as a Shih Tzu.

Cost

All puppies can be expensive, from initial purchase price, to dog beds, food, toys, insurance, vet bills, replacing anything that might get damaged by sharp little puppy teeth. The breed of dog you chose will cost you money, however some breeds can cost more than others. Researching a breed can let you know of any common illnesses or health problems they may be prone to, and then you will want to buy a puppy from health tested parents, which bumps up the initial purchase price – but may save you money further down the line! Breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs and British bulldogs that have been bred to have that ‘cute’ squished face look can often be prone to breathing problems, some of which need costly operations to help them to breathe properly, so researching a good breeder can help decrease such costs. It’s a really good idea to find a good insurance policy for your pet, as you never know what may happen during their lives, no matter what breed they are.

Time

Dogs take up a lot of time. More time than you probably imagine! Especially when they are puppies and should be supervised almost every second of the day! If you work full time then a high energy working breed probably isn’t for you. Dogs are social creatures and don’t really like being left alone for a long period of time, so assess how much time you have spare for a dog and then research which breeds don’t mind being alone for however many hours you have to work or leave them for. Of course, there are doggy day-cares and dog walkers that can keep your pup entertained for you during the day, but think about weekends too -  do you have plenty of time to play, walk and enjoy your pup?

Exercise

Dogs need exercise to stimulate them mentally and physically, as they say “A tired dog is a happy dog!” When researching a dog breed, you should take into account how much exercise they need. Some breeds need much more exercise than others, for example high energy working breeds such as Vizslas and German Shepherds need more time spent exercising than a small dog such as a pug or a dachshund. It should be noted, however, that many high energy dogs can be drained mentally which tires them out just as much as a long walk and run around in the park. Think about exercise more as time, how much time have you got to dedicate to exercising your dog’s mind, to keep them happy and healthy? You should also consider having to exercise your dog in any weather, yes even in pouring rain! A small low energy dog is more likely to be happy with a quick potter around the block though, than a spaniel who would be quite happy to run around in the rain all day long, getting as wet and muddy as they possibly can!

Experience

The amount of experience you have with dogs and any breeds you are considering is a factor to take into consideration. Wanting a Belgium Malinois because you’ve seen them on police videos is a completely different thing to actually owning one. They are very high energy dogs with a huge drive, needing hours of mental stimulation, these dogs really can be on the go all day and are definitely not the breed for first time owners! Whatever breed you are considering, it’s worth taking time to contact breeders, asking to meet their dogs and see what their temperaments are like. The majority of good breeders will be more than happy to let you meet their dogs and see if indeed you are a fit for one of their puppies! Dogs that are ideal for first time owners include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Greyhounds, due to their low energy levels!

Rescue

Rescuing a dog can be very rewarding, as you are helping a dog in need of a home. Often rescue dogs are taken into rescue through no fault of their own, and may be just the dog you are looking for! Many rescue centres will ask you many questions about your lifestyle and will then match you with dogs that they think will suit you. This is very important as they want to ensure that both you and your new pooch will be very happy together – and is also what many good breeders do, think of your meeting with them as a job interview!

Whichever breed you decide on for your dog, ensure you have done research. Research, research, research! Owning a dog is a commitment and shouldn’t be done on a whim. It can be hard work, exhausting, but when you find the dog that is the perfect fit for you, it is the most rewarding thing in the world! Happy dog hunting!