When you finish reading this article, you will know what to look for in choosing a Dog breed that will fit you and your lifestyle. Be sure to read the article clear through to the end or you will miss some of this very helpful information.
First things first
First, you should choose a breed that compliments you and your personality. Another factor is that If your Dog is to be a family pet, make sure it gets along with children. Also, you might want to select a breed based on the type of group in which it falls.
For example, if you are you looking for a small dog - because of the size of your house or apartment -- you might choose a Pekingese, Poodle, or small terrier? Or how about something larger such as a Bulldog, Chow Chow, or Bichon Frise? No? Then maybe a Beagle, a Collie or a Basset Hound is more to your liking.
The point is that a dog's temperament does play a role in deciding what type of dog you choose. One good way to determine the dog's temperament and disposition is to get detailed information about its breed. There are many books available that can help you determine which breed of dog might fit you best. A book we like is the Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D.
Questions to Ask Yourself
In addition, you may want to ask yourself these questions before choosing a breed.
* Do you want a big dog?
* Will the dog fit in with my lifestyle?
* Would you prefer a short haired or long-haired canine - keeping in mind that a long-haired dog might require more grooming?
* What type of facial features appeal to you?
* Do you want a dog that is feisty, dependent, or one with a playful personality?
* Would you prefer a purebred show dog?
* Will your dog remain indoors or would you prefer a dog that lives mostly outside?
* Do you need a guard dog?
* How much time and attention can you devote to the dog?
* Do you want a dog that will listen to you and follows your commands?
* Would you prefer a dog that is independent and can be left alone?
* Is a mixed breed more to your liking?
Once you have answered these questions, you need to decide if you want to adopt a dog from a shelter, or buy a specific type of dog from a breeder?
If you choose to buy from a breeder
If you choose to buy from a breeder, there are certain steps you should take.
For example, let's assume you choose a Bichon Frise. They are great with children, have a playful personality, are very loving, and can readily be found online through a breeder.
Your first step will be to contact a Bichon Frise breeder to see if a dog is available. You can actually go online to check the dog's pedigree. This will give you a clear indication that there has been no cross-breeding and the dog's lineage is intact.
A Word of Warning About Pet Stores
You can also buy a dog at a pet store. However, be careful here because many pet stores have dogs that came from puppy mills and may not be purebreds and may have genetic issues such as hip dysplasia. Some pet store owners are unscrupulous and may not give you the details you need to judge the puppy's health and condition.
Spend some time with the dog
Before choosing a dog, try to spend some time with it. If you have children, bring them along so that you can watch how they interact with the dog and how the dog behaves around them. Find out as much information about the breed as you can. In this way, you can make an informed decision.
If you find a dog that totally fits your lifestyle - whether you live in a single household or family uni -- then you will feel comfortable to either adopt or purchase the dog without worrying about the future.
Douglas Hanna is a free lance writer who has written articles on a wide variety of topics, including dog flea treatment and dog flea medicine.
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