How To Choose The Right Dog For Your Family

After a long and careful consideration, you’ve decided that you and your family are finally ready to welcome a dog into your lives. This means that new and exciting times await you, but it also marks the beginning of a long-term commitment. So you have to choose a puppy or a dog that is a great fit for your family. That can be quite difficult since there are so many breeds and types of dogs to choose from, and all of them look absolutely adorable.

But we’re here to help you out. Check out these tips on how to choose the right furry friend for your family and let the search begin.

Think about Your Needs and Lifestyle

The first thing you have to do is assess your family’s needs. If you’re going to welcome a dog into your house, he needs to adapt to your lifestyle, so you must take into account your resources, schedules, routines and any other specific needs you and your family members might have.

This will help you choose a dog that will get along with everyone and will adjust well to his new surroundings. You should also establish rules and responsibilities to make sure your new pooch will receive the best care.

Think about Your Living Environment

It’s not only your family’s characteristics that you should have in mind when choosing a furry buddy. Your living environment also plays a major role in this decision. Living in an urban area differs from living in the countryside and the size of your home will also influence your choice.

A large high-energy dog that needs a lot of exercise and plenty of room to roam would feel miserable living in a tiny apartment in the middle of the city, so keep that in mind when weighing your options.

Deicide If You Want a Puppy or an Adult Dog

There are pros and cons to both. An adult dog will probably require less care and training than a puppy would, but you can also deal with unwanted behavior and they could have a more difficult time adapting.

On the other hand, if you get a puppy it’s easier to shape his behavior and character to fit your family. For example, goldendoodle puppies are a great choice if you’re looking for an easygoing and obedient new friend. But puppies do need more care and attention in the first months of their life.

Research Dog Breeds

After you’ve assessed your needs and your possibilities and you’ve made a list with all the characteristics your new dog should have, it’s time to find a breed that will check all or at least most of these boxes.

This implies doing a bit of research on dog breeds. If you don’t know where to start, consulting with a veterinarian is probably the best idea. He’ll give you all the information you need on dog breeds and provide you with useful advice.

Consult with Your Family

Since you’re not getting a dog only for yourself, every family member should have a say in this. Gather everyone around and have a serious conversation about it. Listen to their opinions and try to find the best solution for everyone. In the end, you’ll come to a common conclusion.