Looking to welcome a furry new member of the family to your home?
Fantastic! But remember when choosing that not every dog will suit your lifestyle and location.
Knowing about the best dog breeds for you is important. Here are the things you need to research when thinking about which pup is right for you.
Size and Weight
Puppies are tiny, no matter what the breed is. Even when Great Danes are born, they could pretty much fit in the palm of your hand.
It’s important that you find out how big each breed you’re considering will grow up to be. In the case of Great Danes, that’s nearly four feet tall for males, and they can weigh 9 stone or more.
If you have a large home and garden for them to play in, great. But don’t be fooled by their size as a youngster if you live in a small apartment!
Do You Have Children?
If you have children, you should research breeds which are ‘kid-friendly’.
To tell the truth, every breed can be ‘kid-friendly’, but some are more predisposed to a patient attitude and are generally easier to train.
You might feel safer picking a smaller dog if you have kids, but breeds such as Labradors and golden retrievers are reasonable choices too. They’re people-pleasers. This means they’re eager to learn and make you happy from a young age through to adulthood.
They’re also extremely patient, with children and younger animals.
This is an over-simplification in many ways. Dogs have their own distinct personalities, just as we do. That said, it’s rare to find a stuck-up retriever or a terrier without an endless source of energy.
Could You Adopt a Shelter Dog?
Sometimes, it feels a bit unfair to talk about best dog breeds in the context of buying a puppy.
You may not be bothered by the breed at all. Why not choose a shelter animal instead of a puppy from a dealer?
They can be every bit as loving as other dogs. You should weigh up your experience as an owner before choosing a dog who hasn’t had the best life up until now.
But most dogs in shelters aren’t troubled animals. They’re given to shelters for all sorts of reasons.
The Best Dog Breeds For You
As you’ll have noticed, there isn’t one dog breed that’s right for everyone. They’re all Good Boys and Good Girls, but not all dogs suit all environments.
This may mean that if you had your eye on one particular breed, it might be kinder to choose another type of dog instead.
You should take your time to carefully research the traits of each dog, and consider whether they’ll be their happiest as part of your life.
Be sure to search for details of various breeds online, but also talk to dealers who are selling puppies and rescue center staff as part of your research. These people know the dogs they’re dealing with very well.
Once you’ve chosen, be sure to set your puppy up for their new home with all the necessary shots and healthcare advice from a professional vet.