Selecting the right dog can make a difference in both your life and that of the dog that joins your family. In this article, we'll give you some tips and guidelines to help you make the right decision when choosing your ideal four-legged partner. Let's go!
The first and most impotent thing to do before starting is to congratulate you. Why? Because you have decided that the time has come to add a dog to your family and that makes us all so happy. Now, the important question: how do you choose the dog that best suits your lifestyle and personality? There are a number of things you need to consider to get everything flowing as smoothly as possible, and to make sure you're making the right decision.
Your lifestyle. Before starting this adventure, you should think carefully about your lifestyle and routines. Are you one of those people who enjoy an active lifestyle to the full? Or are you one of those who prefer a quieter and more relaxed life at home? Keep in mind that some breeds are more energetic than others and require a lot of exercise or activity that consumes their energy; while other breeds are much calmer and prefer to stay relaxed at home. Taking this into consideration, make sure you choose a breed that matches your usual activity level and the time you have to dedicate to it.
Age, size and space. Dog size is also an important factor to consider. Yes, that's right! Keep in mind that if you live in a small house, a large dog may not feel comfortable or may easily feel nervous. However, small breeds can often better adapt to confined spaces. Keep in mind that if you have a patio, garden or easy access to green areas, you can consider larger dogs. And what about their age? A puppy requires more attention and time on your part. It is much more dependent and in those first months (until it adapts), your home will be exposed to pee and poop, some damage and all kinds of things that are typical of a puppy. If you bring an adult dog home, these “issues” will most likely be less frequent.
Personality. Each dog has its own distinct personality and that makes it really wonderful! It’s true that pure breed dogs have a slightly more predictable personality and temperament (because they share traits); for example, some are playful, extroverted and familiar, while others are more calm, protective and reserved. What should you consider? Your own personality and the kind of best friend you want to have by your side. Research, read, learn about the breeds and look for those whose general personality traits match yours. And if you are thinking of adopting a cross breed, find out about its personality and traits and its behaviour with other dogs.
Be extra careful as some breeds tend to have common health problems or need specific care (regular brushing, grooming, etc.). If you have no problem investing your time and money on special care, then wonderful. But if you are not, you may have to consider if your ideal choice is going to work for you. Before bringing the dog into the family, make sure that you have thought about all these things to avoid future surprises.
And last but not least: make sure that no matter which dog you choose, give it the amount of love and respect it deserves 😊.
