Dogs are excellent pets to have and choosing the perfect one for your family can be tiresome. There are various types of dog breeds out there and there are crucial factors you need to consider before you choose the right dog breed for you and your family.
When you set out to choose a dog for your family, you need to gather information about a lot of dog breeds. Among these numerous breeds, you will need to pick the right choice for your family. Here are some factors that you could consider when you want to choose the dog that’s best for your family.
Dog Lover And Breeder Tips for Choosing The Right Dog Breed For Your Family
1. Do Your Research About Dog Breeds
The first thing you need to do before you choose a dog breed is thorough research. You have to get as much information as possible about all the options available to you. This will help you make the perfect choice for your family.
There are a wide variety of guides, books, websites, and other resources detailing specifics about dog breeds. Make use of these sources of information to determine which dog breed is best for your family. The guides and resources will tell you what you need to know about the various genetic dispositions to illness, conditions, personality traits, and more. Arm yourself with as much information as you can get through research.
2. Weather and Climate
You need to make sure that you consider the weather and climate in your area before you pick a dog. The weather and climate conditions in your region will affect your dog in a number of ways. And it is of utmost importance that you get the right dog breed for your weather.
Some dogs have heavy coats and this makes it difficult for them to live in hot weather. A dog with a heavy coat is prone to overheating and such breeds are better suited for cool weather. Dogs with light coats will be better in the same hot weather and therefore, they would be best for a family that lives in a hot weather region.
You should also consider how the weather changes as seasons shift. The weather and its changes will affect the health of your dog, especially if they have a poor coating. This is why you must pick dogs that will maintain the best health conditions in your area.
3. Consider Your Financial Standing
There is a significant amount of money that goes into maintaining your dog. You will need to buy dog food, pay for veterinary clinic visits, and other accessories that your dog needs. These things will be needed constantly and you need to make sure that you are financially prepared.
Some dog breeds need constant grooming and that can put a dent in one’s finances. You need to choose a dog that fits within your financial means and will help you avoid extra unnecessary expenses. Look at your finances from a long-term perspective because your dog will be a part of your life for a number of years at least.
4. The Space Available To You
Another important factor to consider in choosing the right dog breed for your family is the space you have. This includes the size of physical space available to you like the size of your house and the size of your yard. If you have an apartment space, it is best to get a small dog that does not require much space for activity or movement. If you have a big house, a big dog could work for your family.
The physical space available to you will help you determine whether you can get an active dog or a lazy one. Some dogs require space which they can utilize for running around because they are active and energetic. For such a dog, one needs to have a sizeable yard that would allow the dog to do all the running it needs. Otherwise, there is a risk that the dog could have health complications.
For a family dog, you need to consider that the dog will share a space with your kids. There needs to be enough space for the dog and the kids as well. If there isn’t enough space to accommodate your family and the dogs, it might cause some problems. Evaluate the space available to you and keep it in mind when you are choosing a dog.
5. Personality Traits and Temperament
The reference to dogs as a man’s best friend includes matching the right dog to one’s personality. Generally, certain dog breeds have certain character traits and temperaments associated with them.
When you view dog breed descriptions, they will have information about the dogs’ personality and temperament. You need to choose dogs that match your family’s personality and behavioral traits. The temperament of a particular breed will be a crucial factor in determining how the dog acts around your family. Hence, careful consideration is essential to avoid complications.
Although guides and other material can offer you the information you need about a breed’s personality and temperament, you need to ask the owner or breeder of the particular dog you’re interested in about the dog’s behavior. If you’re adopting from a foster home or shelter, ask the responsible person about the dog you plan to adopt. Some dogs deviate from the traditional set of character traits associated with their breed and it is therefore important to learn about the particular dog.
If the option is available, consider visiting the dog and spend some time with it before buying or adopting. Take your family with you and have them visit the dog as well. They should also be spending a lot of time around the dog. Meet the dog and see if it’s an excellent fit for you and your family.
6. Noise Tolerance
You need to keep in mind how much noise you can take and how much noise your dog could make without turning your neighbors against you. If you pick a noisy dog, it could potentially keep you and your neighbors awake through the night. And trust me when I say, no one wants to miss out on some valuable sleep.
There are some dog breeds that are very vocal and some that are quiet. For example, hunting dogs howl a lot and they will be quite noisy through most nights. Some dogs can be jittery and they will bark at the slightest inconvenience. Make sure that you choose a dog that will make noise you can and your family can tolerate while keeping your neighbors happy.
7. Places You Would Take Your Dog
If you want to get a dog for your family, you would most likely want to take the dog to places sometimes. Some dog breeds will adapt better to city living while other dogs would be best acquired by families who live outside of the city or even at farms.
You and your family might live in coastal areas or near a body of water. You would want your dog to accompany you to go to visit the beach or for a swim in the lake. In that case, you will need to get a water-friendly breed that can be able to swim without facing challenges. Dog breeds such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers are water-loving and they would suit such a family. Keep in mind the places you and your dog will frequent and it will help you make the right choice for your family pet.
8. Your Family Set Up
To find the right dog breed, you need to take a close look at your family setup. This involves considering your children’s age and their levels of activity. You also need to consider how many people live in your home. Also, take note of the number of people that your dog will be exposed to frequently.
If you have young children, you need to get a dog breed that is child-friendly. You need to find a dog that is calm, patient, and gentle because the dog will need to exercise those qualities around small children. Big dog breeds, such as Great Danes and Bernese mountain dogs, are known for their good temperament around kids. Even some terriers are known to be highly intelligent that allows them to be great around children.
Dogs can be very playful and a dog with a large body could unknowingly cause harm to a small child by accidentally laying over them. Make sure that you have taken into account your children’s ages before you choose a dog for your family.
9. How Much Time You Have On Your Hands
When you get a dog, you need to know that the pet will consume a significant portion of your time. There are some dog breeds that will require a lot of attention while some dogs are very independent and don’t need much attention.
You will need to devote time towards walking your dog, tending to its grooming needs, and ensuring that it has a constant food and water supply. An assessment of the time on your hands will allow you to pick the right dog for your family. You need to make sure that you carefully look at the time you can devote to the dog because you can put your dog at risk if you neglect it or simply do not give the dog enough attention.
10. Training
Depending on what you need a dog for, it might need to be trained. If you are getting a dog for protection, it needs to be trained for that purpose. It would be best to get a dog from a facility that trains guard dogs if you need one for that purpose in your family. You also need to consider the breeds on offer because different breeds will act differently even if they are performing the same task.
Similar to children, dogs need to be potty trained among other things that they need to be trained. If you get a puppy or young dog that hasn’t been trained, you will need to do the training yourself. You need to consider whether or not you’re capable of doing the dog training yourself. Otherwise, you need to hire a professional to do it for you to ensure optimal results.
11. Other Pets and Animals
In choosing between dog breeds, it’s essential to consider whether or not you have other animals on your property. There are some dog breeds that will do well around other pets, such as cats, but some dog breeds do not take kindly to being around other pets.
If you live on a property that is frequented by other animals, some dog breeds might be keen on chasing those animals around. Make sure you know how the dog breed you choose will behave around other pets and animals before you pick it as your family’s dog. There might come a time when you’d want a second puppy for your family.
12. Rules and Regulations
There are different rules and regulations in different places governing dog ownership. In some places, certain dog breeds are banned while in some places, there are restrictions on the types of dogs you can own and accessories that the dogs might need to have, such as muzzles.
Some places require that dogs have insurance and you need to be aware if these conditions exist at your place. If you live in a community where your neighbors will be exposed to your dogs or in an apartment building, there is a high likelihood that there are rules that govern dog ownership. Make sure that you are aware of such rules and regulations and stay on the right side of the law as far as dog breeds go.
For a summary of all those points, you can watch this video:
The Bottom Line
These factors are crucial in choosing the right dog breed for your family. There might be other factors that might still affect your choice, such as personal preferences and medical conditions. Taking these and other factors into considerations will direct you to the perfect companion for your family.