Becoming a pet parent is incredibly exciting. Finally, you get your ball of fur to give all your attention to and have tremendous fun with! But owning a pet comes with its set of challenges too. For one, you have to take care of your pet all the time. Secondly, you may incur additional costs as a pet parent, like medical expenses and buying food. If, after weighing the pros and cons of owning a pet, you find that you still want a dog, you have to choose the dog you will bring home. Well, here are a few tips to help you make the right decision.
Tips on Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family
Size
Dogs come in a wide array of sizes. Some are so tiny that you can carry them around the house, while others are huge enough to scare the daylights out of unsuspecting visitors. Then there are the medium-sized dogs which strike a balance between the larger breeds and the small ones.
If you are leaning toward a small dog breed, you will undoubtedly enjoy cuddling them and going everywhere with them. However, you also need to keep in mind the downsides of owning a cute little dog.
For one, smaller dogs are highly susceptible to injury. If you accidentally step on them, it might mean a trip to your veterinarian to ensure that the dog is unhurt.
Additionally, the small canines are more sensitive to cold and can quickly get sick from cold-related causes. Therefore, you need to ensure that your pet is always warm, particularly in the cold months.
With larger dogs, your primary consideration should be space. Big dogs need a lot of space. Can you imagine how disastrous it might be for a large dog with a whip-like tail to wag it in a confined space? Not only might you lose some precious household items, but your furry friend may also get injured in the process.
Additionally, big dogs tend to eat more than smaller ones. Keep this in mind as you are choosing your pet.
Breed
As a dog parent, you can opt to have either a pure-bred or a mixed dog. Both these options have their pros and cons.
The best thing about a pure-bred dog is its predictability. You can reliably tell how the dog is likely to turn out in the future based on its breed.
However, before you settle on a pure-bred dog, you should conduct a thorough research about the breed. Some types of dogs have rather intense characteristics, and you want to choose one whose traits you can handle.
You can also opt for a mixed dog, like a teddy bear puppy. What is a teddy bear puppy, you ask? It is a fantastic little dog with the cutest look and cuddly nature. You simply can’t resist giving attention to this beautiful canine.
A significant upside of mixed dogs is that they balance the personalities and characteristics of the parent breeds. Therefore, you are likely to get a more good-natured and less temperamental breed from a mixed dog.
On the flipside, predicting how a mixed dog will be in its later years can be difficult, if not impossible. You will have to wait and see how they turn out.
Activity Levels
Another critical consideration when choosing a dog is its activity levels. You want to pick a breed that will neither wear you out nor leave you disappointed after a play session.
If you are looking for a jogging mate or a playmate to help you get back in shape, consider getting a high-energy dog. But if you really just want a dog you can pet while you binge-watch your favorite shows, then a low activity dog is your best bet.
However, keep in mind that whichever dog you choose will require some exercise. Therefore, ensure that you have time in your life to play with your dog. Alternatively, you can have someone else walk and play with your dog too.
Age
In terms of age, dogs can be classified into three broad categories: pups, adult dogs, and senior dogs. They each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Pups are generally high-energy creatures, which means you will be playing a lot with them. You also have to train the young dogs yourself. Sometimes, this can be a taxing yet gratifying task.
A puppy is also quite unpredictable, and you will have to wait and see the personality and traits they acquire. However, walking the journey with your puppy and seeing them transition to adulthood is genuinely fulfilling.
Adult dogs generally have lower energy levels than pups, and their behavior is more predictable. You may not need to train an adult dog in all aspects of living in a home. However, you will certainly need to teach them how to live well in your home.
Senior dogs generally have the lowest energy levels and will often be content to sit around doing nothing. But they are also more vulnerable to diseases, and you may find yourself at the vet’s office frequently. On the whole, caring for senior dogs is generally more expensive than caring for younger canines.
Maintenance
The final thing you should have in mind when choosing a dog is the type of physical maintenance it requires. You want to pick a dog that you can comfortably care for.
Generally, dogs with short, smooth coats tend to be heavy shedders, so be ready to vacuum dog hairs quite often. Some dogs also require more frequent baths than others, which should be a key consideration when choosing a dog.
Additionally, dogs with long ears are more susceptible to ear infections than others. You will therefore need to clean and dry their ears more often. You will also have to be vigilant, so you can detect ear trouble as soon as it springs up.
Moreover, some breeds are given to drooling more than others. If you choose a dog that drools a lot, you may need a drool pad to wipe off an unexpected drool whenever it occurs.
Conclusion
Deciding to get a dog is the first step in your pet ownership journey. The next thing you need to decide is exactly what kind of dog you will get.
The five considerations you should have in mind are breed, size, energy levels, age, and physical maintenance. After reading this article, you hopefully have a better idea of just what kind of dog you will get.
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