#1 Learn about the different breeds
Indeed, it is important to make the difference between the races to know what type of dog we will have. For example, the sheepdog is made to gather a herd . If he finds himself in a daycare or with several children, he will tend to want to do what he was created for. This includes nipping at the calves to “manage” rebellious attitudes!
The hunting dog will have a very developed predation instinct, he may also want to dig (the case of terriers). Same thing for the primitive dog who naturally has this tendency to hunt, which can be difficult to combine with small animals, or even small dogs. In the case of these breeds, socialization as a puppy will be all the more important!
#2 Time needed to train and meet your dog’s needs
Here too, things can be different depending on the dog. For example, a puppy will be a bit like a human baby (and will therefore represent a lot of work!): he will get up at night, he will need your presence, he will have to learn to tolerate being left alone, to be a good canine citizen , to have good manners, to socialize well with everything around him, etc.
Baby or adult, a dog must have its needs met at the risk, otherwise, of developing behavioral problems: yelping , aggression , destruction, fears, fixation, obsessive compulsive disorders (dogs can also suffer from it) , disobedience, self-mutilation, etc. .
An adult dog will need a minimum of 60 to 90 minutes of physical exercise per day, not counting mental work, chewing and social relations. If you think your dog won’t need to go outside and your yard will be enough for him, you’re wrong. A dog needs to explore and change environment in order to be well balanced.
You guessed it, having a dog takes time!
#3 Adult dog or puppy
In a shelter, an adult dog already has a history in general. They are most often already educated, clean and their behavioral evaluation made by the employees of the shelter makes it possible to better know their needs and their limits. All this represents great advantages.
Having a puppy is the chance to raise it from A to Z, we know what temperament it will have later if we choose it from a good breeder, but nothing is ever 100% sure.
In any case, expect surprises when you have a dog. He is a person with his own complexity and hereditary genetics. So you need to be prepared to work on some things you don’t plan on.
#4 Place of residence: apartment, condo, house, city, countryside
Some dogs will have more difficulty adapting to life in the city, in small spaces. Some dog breeds tend to bark less than others, have more anxious tendencies in general, while others will do better in hectic environments.
#5 The physical appearance of your future dog
For some owners, their dog’s looks are of paramount importance, while others don’t mind having the ugliest dog on the block! Here are some criteria you can take into account when choosing the appearance of your dog:
- Do you need a small, medium or large dog?
- Do you want to save your Best Pet Dogs coat?
- Do you want a dog that is athletic, slim and slender, or has a strong physical appearance?
There are four main categories of dog morphology
- Molossoids: Saint Bernard, Pug, Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, etc.
- Braccoides: Brittany Spaniel, Labrador, Saint-Hubert, Weimaraner, etc.
- Graioids: Whippet, Saluki, Greyhound, etc.
- Lupoids: Malinois, Husky, German Shepherd, Border Collie, etc.
- Grooming time; All dog breeds are different!
As seen above, grooming can be more or less important depending on the dog’s breed and therefore its coat type. A poodle, for example, will require much more daily grooming and brushing than a short-haired dog. Those with undercoats should not be shorn, however, as their coat represents a “4 season” system that helps regulate temperature and protect against UV.
Dogs with long hair will have molts, sometimes intense, most often in spring and autumn. Regular brushing is therefore necessary in order to avoid knots that can be uncomfortable, even painful, for the dog.
#6 First dog? 2nd in the family? A cat is already present?
These factors are also to be considered: what is your experience in terms of dogs? If this is your first pistol, it is obvious that you will have to orient yourself more towards a dog whose breed is considered easier, or who has no major behavior problem.
#7 Ethical Dog Breeders or Shelters
Where the future dog comes from is also an element not to be overlooked. Beware of backyard breeders and some pet stores selling puppies, who maintain puppy mills in this way.
These shady places are harmful and make money on the massive reproduction of dogs, neglecting their health and even behavioral development. Carefully choose an ethical place or shelter, whose dogs are eagerly awaiting a new home. If he is a breeder, take care to check the temperament AND the health of the dogs he breeds, meet the parents, and visit the premises.
