There are at least 360 dog breeds across the globe. That can make it difficult to figure out which is right for your home. But we’ve put together this guide to make it a bit easier for you. So keep reading to find seven questions you should ask yourself before choosing a dog breed.
How much experience do you have with dogs?
One of the first questions to consider while researching puppies for sale is how much experience you have with owning dogs. Have you had all different types of dogs in your home already? Or would this be your first one?
Some breeds need more training and attention than others. So you may want to avoid these dogs if you don’t have a lot of experience and don’t want to spend a lot of time learning.
What’s your lifestyle like?
Dogs are a bit like people. Some are super active, while others are happy to laze around the house. You’re much likelier to enjoy owning a dog if you find one that fits your personality.
For example, Siberian Huskies and Jack Russel Terriers are known to be some of the most active breeds in existence. Bulldogs and basset hounds, on the other hand, may be a better fit if you’re someone who likes lounging around the house more than you enjoy exploring the outdoors.
The good news is that there’s a breed for every personality type. So no matter how you enjoy living your life, you should be able to find a breed of dog that’s on the same wavelength.
What’s your living situation?
It’s also important to consider your living situation when choosing a dog. For example, the kinds of breeds that are a good fit for you could vary significantly based on whether you’ve got a house with a large backyard or a small apartment in a city.
If you have a large backyard home, just about any kind of dog will work. But a smaller breed may be a better option if you live in a small studio apartment.
That being said, you can still give a larger dog a good life if you live in an apartment. You will just need to make sure that you get it out to exercise and go to the bathroom frequently to make up for the fact that you don’t have a yard.
Do you have children?
Whether or not you have children can also impact which type of dog is right for your family. Some breeds have a reputation for being kid-friendly. Others may not necessarily be a danger to kids but could show less interest and loyalty to the youngest members of your family.
How much barking can you tolerate?
Dogs bark. That’s just a fact of life that you’ll need to get used to if you bring one of these animals into your home. However, some dog breeds are known for barking much more than others.
If you absolutely hate dog barking, then these are the kinds of breeds you want to avoid. Instead, you could focus your search on the dog breeds that bark the least, such as:
- Pugs
- Basenjis
- Chinese Shar Pei
- Great Danes
- Greyhounds
What age of dog do you want?
Another thing you may want to consider while choosing a breed is what age you want your new dog to be. Many families look for puppies. But most breeds will behave differently between when they’re young puppies and after they’ve grown into adults.
You’ll want to consider this dynamic as you consider which dog breed is right for you.
For example, some breeds of puppies may be way too active for your family. But when those breeds turn into adults, they may mellow out and end up being the perfect fit.
The important thing to note is that if you get a puppy, you’re going to own that kind of dog throughout its entire lifespan. So it’s important to select a breed you’re not going to get tired of or want to get rid of when they turn into adults.
Do you have other pets in the household?
Finally, it’s important to consider whether you have other pets in your house before picking a dog breed. For example, Golden Retrievers and Labradors are friendly with a wide variety of dogs and other animals. But breeds like huskies may think of your cat as prey and chase it around the house mercilessly.
Although owning a dog is an extremely rewarding experience, there are also some challenging aspects of it. If you want to get as much enjoyment out of this as possible while limiting the bad, then choosing a dog breed that has a reputation for getting along with other animals could be a good idea.
