How to Choose the Perfect Dog For Your Family

Owning a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences available in life.  However, many people jump into a larger commitment then they are prepared for.  A dog can live for over a decade and requires daily – sometimes hourly – attention.  When you add it up, that cute, sad little face at your local animal shelter can cost you over 4,000 days straight of feeding, cleaning, and playing.

Despite the responsibilities, the majority of pet owners overwhelmingly see the commitments worth the love and affection they receive.  Money can’t buy you love – unless you decide to buy a family dog.

 

Understanding Dogs

Much like purchasing a car, the perfect dog depends on your lifestyle.  Are you active and energetic, or contemplative and introverted?  If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’d probably prefer a Corvette over a Lexus.  If you are businessman, you may value luxury and status over convenience.  None is objectively better than the other, but they all have different fits.  Here are some important things you need to consider when choosing the right dog to fit into your family’s lifestyle:

 

Dog Tip 1: Lifestyle.

 

An active person can handle an active dog.  If you run or rollerblade daily, and live to be energetic and outdoors, a sporty dog is good for you.  These include Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds.  If you prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, you may want to go with a dog that doesn’t require as much exercise, like Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Pugs, Bull Mastiff, Terriers.

 

Dog Tip 2: Housing.

 

The best guideline here is the bigger the house, the bigger the dog you can have.  Large dogs need space to run and play.  Owning a Retriever in a small studio apartment in the middle of a city is going to be a problem.  However, a puggle or maltipoo might work perfectly.

 

Dog Tip 3: Intelligence.

 

Smart dogs are wonderful to interact with.  They can do a lot of complicated and impressive tricks.  However, intelligent dogs require a proportionally large amount of attention.  Without constantly giving them stimulus, they are notorious for ‘playing games’ to entertain themselves.  This includes breaking out of backyards, digging holes, destroying couches, using a laptop cord as a chew toy.  If you don’t have the time to train them constantly, then you may want to choose, to put it plainly, a dumber dog.

 

Some intelligent dogs include Australian Shepherds, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Labs, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers.  On the other end of the spectrum are Chihuahuas, Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, Chow Chows, and Afghan Hounds.


Dog Tip 4: Fur.

 

Dogs shed their fur – a lot!  If you keep your dog inside, most likely all your clothes will end up having shed fur on them.  So if you are embarrassed to go on a date covered in fur, you’re going to have to get over it if you want a long haired dog.  Fur also takes a lot of maintenance and cost.  Dog groomers aren’t cheap, and brushing your dog every day takes time. 

 

If you can’t cope with the fur, there is a solution, one that doesn’t require shaving your dog.  Some breeds actually have hair, rather than fur!  And as you know, hair doesn’t shed.  Dogs with real human-like hair include Poodles, terriers, shitzus, maltese, some spaniels, and some water dogs.  If you want a dog with fur but are afraid of the commitment, you can get a mixed dog such as a Golden Doodle.  These dogs are beautiful, intelligent dogs that hardly ever shed.

 

Dog Tip 5: Cost. 


Veterinary bills, food, shelter, treats, and toys. They cost a significant amount of money.  Certain breeds are more expensive than others to have.  The best way to save money on a dog is to buy a smaller one.  Bigger dogs eat more food, smaller dogs eat less. (They also poop less, so it’s easier to clean your yard each day).  This works as a general rule of thumb, but one study found that Chihuahuas are the most expensive dog over a lifetime because of vet bills.
 
The second way to save is by purchasing pet insurance. Some dogs are predisposed to many medical issues such as hip dysplasia.  Larger dogs generally have more health issues.  It is always a good idea to purchase pet insurance in case your pet needs care.

Whatever your decision, you should think of your dog as part of your family.  He or she will be there for you through good times and bad, and you should do the same.  Give them food, attention, shelter and love, and they will return the favor with a greater sense of love and joy than you could ever imagine.

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