Family Concerns

So you have been contemplating getting a dog but not sure what type of dog you want. Selecting a dog breed can be a difficult task when there are literally several hundreds of breeds to choose from. So how does one go about choosing the right dog. Fortunately there is a way to narrow down your choices by following some standard guidelines.

Important Guidelines For Choosing The Right Breed

• Available Space - the first item that you want to consider is the amount of space available in your home. If you live in an apartment then a large dog may be out of the question. You will want to choose dogs that belong to the Toy group family that may include: Yorkshire Terriers or even a smaller dog within the Terrier group such as a Miniature Schnauzer.
• Exercise - an important consideration, especially for larger dogs, is how much exercise you can give to your dog. If you own a house with a fenced backyard, then your dog will be able to run around and attain some exercise on its own. However, high energy breeds, from the Herding, Sporting, and Hound groups require more intensive exercise and you will need to devote more time to them. These breeds were meant to work harder and need a way to burn off some of their excess energy. You will have to take your dog for a number of long walks on a daily basis.
• Children And Pets - if you have children you will also want to consider the size of the dog. Smaller dogs, such as Maltese and Chihuahuas, are very delicate breeds and can be easily injured by young children. In contrast, a very large dog, such as Saint Bernards, Boxers or Doberman Pinscher can be very lively and boisterous puppies that can easily throw around your child. An ideal choice for children would be a medium size breed such as Lhasa Apsos or Fox Terriers.
• Grooming - this can require a lot of time depending on the breed you choose. Breeds, such as a Maltese or a Standard Poodle, may take up a lot of time as they may need to be groomed up to an hour a day. If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands then you might want to consider breeds such as: Whippets or Boston Terriers.

more info on choosing the right dog breed