If you decided to get a dog, before consulting the physical and temperamental characteristics of each breed, it’s important to ask yourself some questions! That’s right, not all people are capable of having a dog, and increasingly crowded kennels are the proof of that. Let’s find out if we can be good dog owners and how to choose a dog suitable tor us and our way of life!
What breed of dog to choose?
Before you figure out what breed of dog to choose will be appropriate to ask ourselves questions:
- Why do I want a dog?
- How much time can I devote to them?
- I am aware that a dog is not a toy and it is a commitment of 13-15 years?
- Do I have access to kennels or a reliable dog sitter for the times when I will need to go away and leave the dog?
- I am aware that it is my duty to correct him if he is wrong and that if I decide to get a puppy it will be very challenging?
These are all questions that seem trivial and obvious; but they actually aren’t at all, as many people want to get a dog just because the breed is fashionable or because their children would like a living toy … If the answers we give to these questions make sense to you, you will be ready to the next question, namely what breed of dog to choose .To answer this question, once again, we will have to examine our conscience and be honest about our lifestyle.
For example, if we are very lazy people, we should not choose a working dog … it is unthinkable to take a Border Collie out for a walk only when we remember and for only 5 or 10 minutes , as it would become a sad and depressed dog. We also run the risk of having the dog destroy the house the moment we leave to run an errand! And this applies to all dogs that need to run a lot, such as German Shepherds, Collies, Dobermans, etc. If you want to get a dog to bring to the countryside or to participate insports activities of various kinds, the working breeds could be perfect for you.
How to choose a suitable dog for our lifestyle
To understand how to choose a suitable dog to your lifestyle, let’s give some suggestion by grouping three categories of people:
- Lazy people: For this lifestyle, the ideal is a small dog , or at least an apartment dog that does not need much physical activity, perhaps because of health problems. Suitable breeds include: Chihuahua, Pinscher, Dachshund , Cocker Spaniel , Pug , Pomeranian , Pekinese ,poodle , Maltese , Yorkshire Terrier , English Bulldogs , French Bulldogs , Shih Tzu, Miniature schnauzer , Basset Hound and many more!
- Active people: This category includes all people who like to spend a lot of time outdoors, without, however, playing sports with your four-legged friend. For them we suggest the tireless Jack Russell Terrier, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Akita, boxer, Pitbull, Bull Terrier, Husky, Shiba Inu and many others.
- Very active people: if you have plenty of time and love sports, we can only advise breeds such as: Border Collie , Australian shepherd , Labrador, Shetland Sheepdog , German shepherd and many other dog breeds that could very well fall into the former category.
Once identifying which category you belong to, figuring out how to choose a dog suitable for your lifestyle will no longer be a problem! Finally, remember that if you are undecided, maybe it’s fate that is telling you that you are not destined to buy a purebred dog but you have a much bigger goal; i.e. adopt a beautiful mixed breed from a shelter! At the dog shelter, you’re sure to find love at first sight!
