Bruno
Bruno is a Norwegian dog expert. He has been blogging about Hund, Hunderaser and Hundeutstyr for more than five years.
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There is no such thing as the ideal dog breed: one that satisfies everyone's criteria. However, if you are looking for a particular dog that fits your needs, you will probably be able to find a good match in one or several of the breeds that exist.
The American Kennel Club recognizes 160 dog breeds and many more that aren't on their registry. Finding the right dog for you requires asking the right questions and doing a little research. There are also handy online breed matching sites where you can put in size, weight and other characteristics to narrow your search.
What Kind of Temperament Are You Looking For?
Temperament is an important trait because you may want a dog with a laid-back personality if you have young children. Golden retrievers have a great reputation for getting along well with kids. A pit bull, on the other hand, may not be a wise choice. They have been outlawed in several communities because of their unprovoked attacks on people and animals.
What Size and How Active A Dog Do You Want?
Certain dogs, such as English springer spaniels, will need a lot of exercise and activity. Bred to hunt, these dogs were made to flush out and retrieve game birds. A dog of this type and size may not be a good fit if you live in an apartment or if you don't have a spacious yard. Also, if you are working long hours, your time will be limited, so you may not be able to properly exercise the dog.
How Much Maintenance is Needed?
Specific breeds, like the Maltese, require a certain amount of maintenance. These canines have indeterminate hair, which means that their coat will grow continuously. They will need a haircut periodically. Other breeds, like Labradors, won't require as much grooming because they have determinate hair. Their hair only grows to a certain length and then quits. Some breeds shed, which will require more house cleaning. If someone in the home is allergic to dogs, a breed that has little dander and does not shed, such as a labradoodle, might
be a good choice.
What Kinds of Health Issues Are There?
Health issues can affect certain breeds. Hip dysplasia is a common condition found in large dogs: German shepherds, Rottweilers, and Saint Bernards. You may want to steer clear of breeds that tend to have genetic problems.
Other Factors and Affordability
Once a breed is decided upon, other factors need to be contemplated. If you want to breed the animal yourself, you may wish to have a female instead of a male. Another factor is deciding between a puppy and an older dog. Keep in mind that puppies are cute but not so much when they poop on your brand new carpet or chew up your $350.00 Jimmy Choo shoes. Also dogs cost money. Food, vaccinations and vet bills can add up. These are decisions that have to be taken into account when bringing a dog into a home.
Places to find your particular dog breed are with reputable breeders, rescue organizations and humane societies. Ideally with breeders, it would be best to see, firsthand, how their dogs are cared for. Inquire on whether the dogs have been socialized and if they have had a lot of human contact. Find out about the health history of the parents of the puppy that you intend to buy. In turn, a good breeder should be asking questions because they will want to place their dog in a caring home. Be careful dealing with online breeders. There are a lot of scams out there! Rescue organizations and humane societies will have purebreds available for adoption. Normally, they have older dogs but will have puppies from time to time. Expect to pay fees to cover vaccinations, spaying and neutering of the adopted puppy or dog.
Four out of 10 families will return a dog because it was not a good fit for their circumstances. This type of situation can be averted if you take the time to do the research. Knowing exactly what you desire in a dog and how that meshes with your lifestyle can save a lot of anguish. Invariably, it comes down to the individual canine, whether it be a pure or mixed breed, its personality, and how well it has been socialized. Once you find your ideal dog, you will have a friend and devoted companion to enjoy for years to come.
The American Kennel Club recognizes 160 dog breeds and many more that aren't on their registry. Finding the right dog for you requires asking the right questions and doing a little research. There are also handy online breed matching sites where you can put in size, weight and other characteristics to narrow your search.
What Kind of Temperament Are You Looking For?
Temperament is an important trait because you may want a dog with a laid-back personality if you have young children. Golden retrievers have a great reputation for getting along well with kids. A pit bull, on the other hand, may not be a wise choice. They have been outlawed in several communities because of their unprovoked attacks on people and animals.
What Size and How Active A Dog Do You Want?
Certain dogs, such as English springer spaniels, will need a lot of exercise and activity. Bred to hunt, these dogs were made to flush out and retrieve game birds. A dog of this type and size may not be a good fit if you live in an apartment or if you don't have a spacious yard. Also, if you are working long hours, your time will be limited, so you may not be able to properly exercise the dog.
How Much Maintenance is Needed?
Specific breeds, like the Maltese, require a certain amount of maintenance. These canines have indeterminate hair, which means that their coat will grow continuously. They will need a haircut periodically. Other breeds, like Labradors, won't require as much grooming because they have determinate hair. Their hair only grows to a certain length and then quits. Some breeds shed, which will require more house cleaning. If someone in the home is allergic to dogs, a breed that has little dander and does not shed, such as a labradoodle, might
What Kinds of Health Issues Are There?
Health issues can affect certain breeds. Hip dysplasia is a common condition found in large dogs: German shepherds, Rottweilers, and Saint Bernards. You may want to steer clear of breeds that tend to have genetic problems.
Other Factors and Affordability
Once a breed is decided upon, other factors need to be contemplated. If you want to breed the animal yourself, you may wish to have a female instead of a male. Another factor is deciding between a puppy and an older dog. Keep in mind that puppies are cute but not so much when they poop on your brand new carpet or chew up your $350.00 Jimmy Choo shoes. Also dogs cost money. Food, vaccinations and vet bills can add up. These are decisions that have to be taken into account when bringing a dog into a home.
Places to find your particular dog breed are with reputable breeders, rescue organizations and humane societies. Ideally with breeders, it would be best to see, firsthand, how their dogs are cared for. Inquire on whether the dogs have been socialized and if they have had a lot of human contact. Find out about the health history of the parents of the puppy that you intend to buy. In turn, a good breeder should be asking questions because they will want to place their dog in a caring home. Be careful dealing with online breeders. There are a lot of scams out there! Rescue organizations and humane societies will have purebreds available for adoption. Normally, they have older dogs but will have puppies from time to time. Expect to pay fees to cover vaccinations, spaying and neutering of the adopted puppy or dog.
Four out of 10 families will return a dog because it was not a good fit for their circumstances. This type of situation can be averted if you take the time to do the research. Knowing exactly what you desire in a dog and how that meshes with your lifestyle can save a lot of anguish. Invariably, it comes down to the individual canine, whether it be a pure or mixed breed, its personality, and how well it has been socialized. Once you find your ideal dog, you will have a friend and devoted companion to enjoy for years to come.