Pup Talk

Bringing home a new pet is often an emotional decision based on how cute and cuddly that little puppy looked at the shelter or pet store. These spur of the moment emotional decisions often lead to unhappy dog owners and unhappy dogs. Every dog, just like every person has their own personality. While each dog has its own unique personality, there are also certain traits that a particular breed of dog has. It is important to learn these characteristics and weigh them with what you need and want in a dog before heading to the shelter or pet store to find your new family member.

by carf

The first thing you will want to consider when deciding on the best breed of dog for you is your pet personality. You will need to ask yourself what you want your dog to do for you and what you are willing to do for your dog. If you are active and like to go for long walks and engage in “rough play” you will not want a lap dog. If you are physically restricted in your activities or prefer a quiet atmosphere you will not want a dog breed that is too high strung. If you have children you will want to find a dog breed that works well with them. Many times people buy a dog that their children see in a cartoon and think it is a good dog for children and find themselves very distraught when the dog bites the child. An example of this is the Dalmatian. One-hundred and one of them made a cute movie, but they do not make good pets for children. Once you have determined the qualities you are looking for in a dog it is time to start researching the various dog breeds and finding out which one is right for you. There are numerous books and websites devoted to this topic. Another thing you might do is to do a search for a dog breed you are interested in and see if they are compatible.

Once you have determined your pet personality there are still a few more things to consider. Many dog breeds come in different varieties. They may have long or short legs, pointy or floppy ears and long hair, short hair, wiry fur or soft fur. If you hate to vacuum or sweep you will not want to adopt a dog that sheds a lot of fur. If you don’t like to brush your dog then you should choose a short-haired variety. Some dogs can be taught to do helpful tasks around the house, while others are just fun to look at and take care of.

by Terry Bain

Taking the time to research what dog breed is best for you will ensure a good match and a happy relationship with your new dog for many years to come. A dog can be an important part of the family and will be around for a long time, so you will want to make a decision both you and the dog can live with.