There are literally 100’s of dog breeds to choose from, big, small, tiny, giant.
They come to work with us, hunt with us, share our beds, and co-pilot the adventures we take. Their companionship is unmatched, they are our eyes, their undying trust and their love is unwavering.
There’s no right or wrong way to find a new dog. What’s important is finding the right dog for you. Whether you want to adopt or use a breeder, you should aim to find the breed that is most compatible with your life and living accommodations. Choosing the right breed can make all the difference in you and your dog’s happiness.
Factors to Consider when choosing a Dog
Size. The size of your living space is the one major factor you should consider when selecting a dog breed. Do you live in a small apartment or a house? Do you have enough space for a large dog? Or will your living area only accommodate a small dog? Do you have a backyard where the dog could easily head outside for exercise and to do their business?
Schedule. Choosing the type of dog that is compatible with your schedule will ensure that your pet receives the attention they need. Do you have the free time required to train a puppy properly? Will you be able to provide a high-energy dog with the long walks and activity they need? Or do you need a more independent, senior dog who can handle being left alone during the day?
Activity level. Finding a dog that complements your activity level is important when choosing a dog breed. A high-energy dog can quickly exhaust a low-energy dog owner, and a low-energy dog can frustrate an owner who’s always on the go. Do you have an active lifestyle? Are you an adventurous person or a homebody? Do you do much daily exercise like hiking, camping, and running, or do you prefer leisurely neighbourhood strolls? Will a dog with a high-energy level fit in with your daily activity? How close is the nearest dog park? Or do you want a couch potato who is perfectly content being a lazy lap dog? The best match for you will be a dog whose needs are similar to yours.
Breed. Different breeds have different inherent traits. The Canadian Kennel Club has seven dog breed groups (Working, Herding, Hound, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Toy, and Terrier). Each breed comes with different personality traits, and it’s important to know the right breed that will be most compatible with yours. If you are especially allergic to animal fur, a low shedding dog breed like the poodle may suit your needs, if their other traits match your needs. Mixed breed dogs can combine ideal traits that you’re looking for, but it’s never a guarantee you’ll get all the beneficial traits you want. Purebred bulldogs and pugs, for instance, have very small nasal cavities, which can impact their ability to breathe well.
Age. Puppy-hood, adolescence, adulthood, senior—over the course of each stage, a dog’s personality typically changes. Adult dogs are more likely to be house trained and may have calmer temperaments than a young dog. Older dogs can be a wonderful addition to your home, but some don’t do well around small children this is another important aspect to take into consideration. Puppies are cute, but they are a lot of work. It involves not only the house training, but leash training and the all important obedience training.
History. If you’re buying from a dog breeder, you’ll know the dog’s story. If you’re adopting from an animal shelter, the history might be cloudier. Your dog may have been abandoned or even abused, and moments from their history can affect their personality. However, that doesn’t mean that a bad history means they won’t be the perfect dog for you—you just have to be willing to put in the work.
Things to consider
- ACTIVITIES
- WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR DOG?
- EXPERIENCE
- HAVE YOU OWNED A DOG BEFORE?
- EXERCISE
- WHAT TYPE OF EXERCISE CAN YOU PROVIDE FOR YOUR DOG?
- HOUSEHOLD
- WHO IS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?
- OTHER PETS
- DO YOU HAVE OTHER PETS?
- SHEDDING
- DO YOU MIND A DOG THAT SHEDS?
- GROOMING
- HOW OFTEN WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO GROOM YOUR DOG?
- SIZE
- WHAT SIZE DO YOU WANT YOUR DOG TO BE?
- SPACE
- WHERE WILL YOUR DOG SPEND MOST OF ITS TIME?
- SCHEDULE
- WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
- CLIMATE
- WHAT CLIMATE DO YOU LIVE IN?
- FRIENDLINESS
- HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR DOG TO RESPOND TO NEW THINGS?
- NEIGHBORS
- DO YOU HAVE NEIGHBORS?
