How To Choose Which Dog Breed Is Right For You?

Dog Breed Right for You

Brits love dogs. Their love for these canines surpasses all others. It isn’t amusing that every household in the UK wants to have a dog at some point. Like anyone else in the country, you might have at times considered purchasing a dog for various reasons. Either for companionship, protection, or whatever reason.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Dog Breed

Purchasing dogs isn’t like purchasing everyday items at the grocery. Pet buyers have so many factors to consider. From their budget, lifestyle to available living space. In addition, prospective dog buyers must consider a wide range of factors to make good decisions.

Perhaps the most imperative consideration you must make before buying a dog is the dog breed. Importantly, dogs aren’t all equal just like other creatures. They come in tons of breeds.

Moreover, these breeds have unique personalities. Using a dog breed selector will make it easy to answers questions you might have before purchasing a certain dog breed. Each breed has an inborn personality, behavior, and traits in it. unquestionably, to find your right four-legged companion, strive to get the most perfect breed for you. Below are helpful insights on how to decide which dog breed is ideal for you.

1. Consider your lifestyle

No matter the dog breed you choose to bring home, keep in mind that owning a dog is a long-term devotion.  Dogs need care, exercise, and company. Your lifestyle shouldn’t hinder you from committing to the time and care that the dog needs, regardless of its breeds. The right dog breed should suit your lifestyle.  It should match both the dog’s energy levels and your lifestyle. Here is how to pick a breed that perfectly matches your lifestyle.

Dogs breeds for those with an active lifestyle

Anyone with an active lifestyle wants a dog breed that can keep up with their pace. Particularly, breeds with high activity levels suit owners with an active lifestyle.  Here are the best breed options for active families.

• Border Collie– the high-drive dog breed is energetic and needs more exercise than just walking. It can help keep you fit since it is a talented runner. Its running prowess makes the breed great for the herding practice.
• Brittany- this breed is strong, fast, and agile. It thrives on activities such as running, swimming, and hiking. It exhibits a palpable willingness to take part in all family activities.
• Vizsla- it can be a wonderful addition to any active family, so long as the family will provide it with plenty of daily exercises. Besides being active, the breed is also easily trainable and affectionate with its family.
• Redbone Coonhound– the highly energetic breed was born a natural hunter and swimmer. It has massive energy to spend with its owners. From running, hiking to hunting, this breed does well in all outdoor activities. It can make a great exercising partner for your morning runs.

Your living condition

Your present living condition is another aspect of your lifestyle that should dictate the breed you choose. Apartment dwellers in the UK have smaller living spaces than rural dwellers. Such owners don’t need breeds with high activity levels. Such breeds aren’t ideal for small living spaces. Small breeds are perfect for small spaces. These breeds can thrive in an indoor environment. Some suitable breeds for owners with small living spaces include Eskimo dog, Basset Hound, Belington Terrier, and Bichon Frise.

2. Think of where to get your ideal dog breed from

There are countless places to find and purchase your ideal breed from.  Certified breeders. Can be a nice starting point.  Besides having a variety of dog breeds, these breeders adhere to the highest breeding standards. The breeds you select from a certified breeder thus have high odds of being healthy and happy even in its old age.

That said, think of where you are buying your preferred dog. With so many breeders in the UK, it helps to analyze the place you are purchasing your canine from. Don’t fall for breeders with limited breeding capabilities. A good breeder offers multiple breeds to dog lovers. They breed purely to produce healthy canines in the long run.

Other breeders plainly want to sell dog breeds for money. Breeds gotten from these breeders won’t be right for you. Dog farms for instance are among the wrong places to get a breed from. Breeds produced in these farms haven’t undergone breed-specific screening. Buyers can’t be certain if the breed they are paying for is pure or not.

3. Personal needs

 Different dog breeds are suited for different needs.  After all, breeds are adapted for different tasks. Simply put, a breed can excel in one activity but fail miserably in another. If you need protection, for instance, a breed with powerful protective traits, such as the German shepherd, is a nice option for you. A Doberman is suitable for deterring house breakers, while Rottweiler is a wonderful guard.  For sports enthusiasts, sporting dogs such as Airedale, Beagle, and Labrador retriever are suitable for fishing, hunting, and other sporting activities. Going with your personal needs, choose a breed that will meet those particular needs.

4. Health conditions of different dog breeds

Breeds have varied health conditions. Some are healthier than others. Others are prone to specific health problems. Take the Siberian husky for instance. The breed is a household name among the UK’s dog lovers, courtesy of its cute appearance. The breed is however prone to progressive retinal atrophy, juvenile cataracts, and corneal dystrophy.  German shepherds though large and strong, are prone to the musculoskeletal disorder.

Whatever dog breed you want, consider the underlying health problems. Choosing a breed that is less prone to common dog health problems is prudent. With such a breed, you will skip unnecessary vet checkups, high medical costs, and unexpected emergencies.  Choose a breed based on how its health condition will be aligned to its new living environment upon taking it home.

5. Can you care for the breed properly?

Dog needs vary from one breed to the other. Some breeds need extra care compared to others. Choosing the right breed entails going for a dog that you can properly and easily take care of. It isn’t about the popularity of the breed. Huskies are quite popular for instance. But the amount of care and attention they need can overwhelm their owners.

The English bulldog is a cute breed to have in any home. Nonetheless, it is strongly attached to its family. It suffers anxiety when left home alone or when separated from the family. Having this breed means additional traveling costs since it will be your travel buddy.

Other breeds are cheap to maintain. Take Manchester terrier for example. The breed doesn’t need expensive salon sessions after every few weeks.  Its sleek, carefree coat doesn’t need regular grooming. It is thus a suitable low-maintenance breed for busy families. Whether you want a German shepherd, Chihuahua, or any other breed, be in a position to take good care of it.

6. What characteristics does the breed have?

There is nothing like a good dog breed for everyone. One breed could be great for one owner, and completely unsuitable for you. Decide on the characteristics to check in a breed before purchasing. Would you like a friendly, ferocious, or aggressive breed? The answers revolve around what you want in a breed.

For a loyal and devoted breed, Collie is an awesome choice. For an aggressive breed, a Dalmatian or Rottweiler can be just perfect. For companionship, Bulldogs or Boxers make great companions. The breed’s characteristics define what it is best for. As such, analyze the characteristics of a suitable breed beforehand.

7. Understand the breed’s history, personality, and traits

Different Dog Breeds and their Functions

Some dog buyers aren’t keen enough. They go for a breed without finding more about their personality traits and specific habits.

If you fall into this pitfall, you will end up getting the wrong breed instead.

Research on your preferred breed before falling for it.

What are some habits in it that you like? What does its personality feel like? Is it prone to any inheritable diseases?

Research gives you accurate answers to these and other relevant questions.

Mistakes to avoid to choose the right breed

Selecting the right dog breed requires more than knowing the basic things about picking a breed.  Be awake to mistakes that previous dog buyers have made while choosing dog breeds before. These mistakes include-

• Choosing purely by popularity, other than whether the breed matches your needs, lifestyle, and living space
• Buying without prior information about a breed. This can be very upsetting. The risk of getting an undesirable breed is high.
• Getting misled by information on dog sales sites and adverts. Such information isn’t accurate. It is purely intended to convince the buyer to purchase the breeds being advertised.
• Purchasing from illegitimate breeders with a bad breeding reputation.
• Bringing the breed home without preparing for the life-time devotion that comes with caring for a new, 4-legged companion.
• Thinking all breeds are suitable for you, other than appreciating that breeds aren’t created equal.

Conclusion

For every dog buyer in the UK, taking the right breed home can be both exciting and rewarding. It is easier to find a dog but challenging to get a dog breed that you and your family can enjoy spending time with. Simply put, the choice of breed you settle for determines the kind of dog you will have eventually. Don’t rush to choose a breed. Rather, consider how best the breed suits you and the whole family.