Choosing A Dog – A Step By Step Guide.

Did you know that there are several hundred breeds of dogs? With such a great number of breeds to select from, what are people supposed to do in choosing a dog that is right for them? Buying a dog is not easy! Fortunately, you can narrow down the options and discover the right dog breed for you by following a few simple steps.

First of all, consider the available space that you have. Do you live in a apartment? If so, then you should rule out the larger dogs. Try looking for dogs in the Toy group, such as Yorkshire Terriers, or perhaps some of the smaller dogs in the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.

If you have children, then this may also want you to consider the size of your dog as well. Very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese, can be very frail and are often accidentally injured by young children. On the other hand, very large dogs, like Boxers or Saint Bernards, can sometimes be excessively lively as puppies and can accidentally transform your child into a human bowling pin. Reflect on medium sized breeds, such as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos instead.

The next thing to take into account, is how much exercise you are able to give your dog. If you happen to have a home with a fenced yard, then your dog can get some exercise on his own. However, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups are extremely high energy dogs and you will require sufficient time to give them the more intensive exercise that they will need. Prepare to take plenty of long walks with your dog or to go for a daily romp in the park. After all, these dog breeds were bred to work vigorously and don’t do well unless they happen to have a job to do or some way of burning off their excess energy.

Also, don’t forget to consider grooming needs. Some dog breeds only require an half hour or so of grooming a week, while some breeds have to be groomed for an hour a day. If you don’t have much spare time, then don’t buy a Standard Poodle or a Maltese, unless you arrange to take your dog to a groom. On the other hand, breeds such as Boston Terriers or Whippets are excellent choices for people who do not have much time to do a lot of grooming.

Once you have come to a decision on which breed of dog you want, you will want to consider the age of the dog. Lots of people choose to buy a cuddly little puppy instead of an older dog. While puppies haven’t picked up any bad habits, it is up to the new owner to make certain that the puppy becomes housebroken and also obedience trained. The older dogs are often already housebroken and generally have had some kind of obedience training. They are also likely to be less hyper and also less destructive. Nevertheless, they may have some kind of behavioral problems or even health problems that prompted the original owner to get them a new home.

Are you thinking of purchasing a puppy? If so, then you are going to have to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the dog breed that you are interested in. Most often, you will find that a good dog breeder will have a waiting list for their puppies. If you aren’t the patient type, then you might be tempted to purchase your puppy from a pet store. However, you should be aware, that numerous pet store puppies come from puppy mills and usually have genetic health defects, bad temperaments, or other problems. It is often safest to buy a puppy directly from a breeder.

If you are attracted to an older dog, then you may want to consider visiting your local animal shelter or call a breed rescue. These groups assess the dog’s health and temperament before they adopt them out.

Once you have slimmed down the breed choices and have made a decision on which dog is the right one for you. Then don’t get too relaxed. After all, you will still have one very important decision to make, what name to give your new companion!