Choosing the Right Dog for You!
Adopting a dog is a great thing! Dogs not only make great companions but have been shown to improve mental in physical health. The American Kennel Club (AKC) states, “There are current over 340 dog breeds known throughout the world” and currently the AKC recognizes 199 of those breeds! In addition to pure bred, there are thousands of mixed breed dogs. With so many options out there, it can be hard to know where to start.
Personality
It is important to remember that each breed of dog generally has a set of characteristics it is known for. While it is not guaranteed each dog of that breed (mixed or pure bred) will have a certain characteristic, it is good to research breeds that fit your lifestyle before adopting a dog.
Maintenance
In addition to your future pet’s personality, you should also consider pet size, activity level, and coat maintenance when thinking about what breed would work best for you. With some dogs, size, activity level, and coat maintenance can mean spending more money to keep your dog happy and healthy. Larger dogs, like Mastiffs and Great Danes, are typically more expensive to maintain due to the amount of food they consume as well as needing larger amounts of medication to fit their size should they become ill. Active dogs, like Shepherds and Heelers, can often develop anxieties and behavior issues that can require medications or behavior specialist if they do not get enough exercise and stimulation. Many dogs, including breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Poodle mixes, need regular grooming to maintain their beautiful coats!
Age
Many people think of getting a puppy when adding a furry friend to their family, but adult dogs make great additions too! When trying to decide what age of pet you are looking for, it is great to keep in mind that puppies can be time consuming due to training and having a higher energy level. Puppies can also be a bit more expensive initially to get their vaccines and wellness care up to date. If the additional time and money isn’t something you think would fit your lifestyle at the time, consider adopting an adult dog. While some adult dogs still need time for training or adjustment to a new home and may still need wellness care, most ready and waiting for a new family! Another benefit to adopting an adult dog is knowing what their size and potentially their temperament. Depending on where you adopt the dog from, whether it be a breeder or a shelter, someone may have spent enough time with the dog to get a feel of what type of lifestyle the dog would fit best in.
It is important to remember that each breed of dog generally has a set of characteristics it is known for. While it is not guaranteed each dog of that breed (mixed or pure bred) will have a certain characteristic, it is good to research breeds that fit your lifestyle before adopting a dog.
Maintenance
In addition to your future pet’s personality, you should also consider pet size, activity level, and coat maintenance when thinking about what breed would work best for you. With some dogs, size, activity level, and coat maintenance can mean spending more money to keep your dog happy and healthy. Larger dogs, like Mastiffs and Great Danes, are typically more expensive to maintain due to the amount of food they consume as well as needing larger amounts of medication to fit their size should they become ill. Active dogs, like Shepherds and Heelers, can often develop anxieties and behavior issues that can require medications or behavior specialist if they do not get enough exercise and stimulation. Many dogs, including breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Poodle mixes, need regular grooming to maintain their beautiful coats!
Age
Many people think of getting a puppy when adding a furry friend to their family, but adult dogs make great additions too! When trying to decide what age of pet you are looking for, it is great to keep in mind that puppies can be time consuming due to training and having a higher energy level. Puppies can also be a bit more expensive initially to get their vaccines and wellness care up to date. If the additional time and money isn’t something you think would fit your lifestyle at the time, consider adopting an adult dog. While some adult dogs still need time for training or adjustment to a new home and may still need wellness care, most ready and waiting for a new family! Another benefit to adopting an adult dog is knowing what their size and potentially their temperament. Depending on where you adopt the dog from, whether it be a breeder or a shelter, someone may have spent enough time with the dog to get a feel of what type of lifestyle the dog would fit best in.