When you are looking for the next puppy to adopt or purchase, there are many questions that you need to ask in advance. The first question is why you want a dog; the answer may simply be “just because”. Dogs, or most pets in general, are very time consuming and require a lot of commitment. If the reason you are bringing one home is boredom for instance, and you are certain that your boredom will not end or run out and you will still have time for your puppy, then by all means purchase/adopt away! There are other questions you need to ask too, given that not all breeds will fit your particular lifestyle.
Read on to know which kind of dog breed is perfect for you.
What is your Living Environment?
The first question you have to ask yourself, is what is your living environment? Do you live in an apartment or a house? How large are they? Is there an actual room for a dog? Answering these questions will help you realize whether you need a small apartment dog or a large one that can roam around freely. Apartment dogs include breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, and a couple more. Bigger houses can take Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Basset Hounds, German Shepherd, Pitbull, and some others. Small apartment dogs are like cats, they can be put anywhere, and they will feel like the space is large enough for them. Bigger dogs will have trouble roaming around unless you have a yard.
Do You Have a Yard?
There are dogs, as mentioned, that require places to roam around given their size. A lot of dogs are extremely energetic too and love playing and running around. That would not work, whether you are in a small apartment or an adequately sized house. In this case, you may need to have a yard or a garden nearby that you can take your dog to. Dogs that need more space include Boxers, Anatolian Shepherd, Bullmastiff, German Shepherd, Irish Wolfhounds, and others. If you do not have a yard or a garden nearby, but you still want a larger dog, then you will need to check your schedule since you will have to walk a couple of times a day.
What is Your Work Schedule Like?
This may be one of the most important questions you have to ask yourself. What does your current schedule look like? What will it look like a month, two, or even 10 from now? Dogs get pretty confused moving around too often and it is not good for them, so you need to make sure that your schedule has time for a dog so that you do not abandon it for too long or feel the need to give it up. Based on the experienced trainers at TreeHousePuppies.com, you can always train your dogs to stay home and not destroy anything; trainers may not be easy to come by but you can search online for all the necessary information you may need. There are dog breeds that are extremely needy and cannot be left for even a second, those include Chihuahuas, Vizslas, Italian Greyhounds, Griffons, French Bulldogs, and a few others.
Do You Have Children?
Most dog breeds are kid-friendly and nonviolent, but if the dog is too large, your children may be a little afraid of the new family member. You can start your children with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they are cute and fluffy and pretty much look like teddy bears. If you want a larger dog you can also for a Bernese Mountain Dog, they have been proven to be gentle with kids, regardless of their size. Going back to a smaller size, you can get a Boston Terrier which is extremely playful and quite low maintenance too. Just make sure you have time for both your children and the new dog.
When in doubt, evaluate your current circumstance and research for breeds that are perfectly suitable for your situation. There are many websites online that have quizzes that will help you narrow down the breed that will fit you and your lifestyle the most. Make sure you really will have the time now and, in the future, to care for the dog. They are a lot of responsibility and can get quite needy as well, but if you understand what your breed needs, it should be no problem. Finally, make sure you know of a nearby vet as you will need to care for your dog’s health and make sure it is always in tip-top shape!
