How To Find A Dog Breed That Suits Your Lifestyle

Ever since dogs were domesticated for hunting purposes thousands of years ago they have been our best friends, indeed many of us could not consider living without one as they provide companionship and loyalty.

In the 21st Century, we all lead different lifestyles so when choosing which breed of dog to get it is important to consider your lifestyle factors otherwise you could end up with a dog that is completely incompatible with your daily routine, which would be unfair on both of you.

Here we are going to take a look a how you can find a dog breed that suits your lifestyle. 

Exercise

The first thing that you need to consider when choosing a dog is how much time you can devote to exercising your new friend. We all know that dogs need plenty of exercise, but some breeds need much more than others.

If you have upwards of 2 hours a day on your hands then pretty much all options are open to you from Spaniels to Pointers, whereas if you spend the majority of your days in the office it wouldn’t be fair on that sort of breed so you will be looking for something such as an English Bulldog or a Basset Hound. 

Size

Size is an extremely important consideration as dogs need space, it just wouldn’t be practical to keep a Great Dane in a 3rd floor flat, so think about your living circumstances carefully. Some dogs need outdoor space to let off steam and really don’t appreciate being cooped up indoors all day, so if you are thinking about getting a Labrador, for example, then you must have ample space.

Dogs can also be smelly creatures especially if the local woods are on their daily walk, so consider whether you really want to live with this sort of animal in a small home with little outdoor space. 

Diet

We all know that dogs like to eat, indeed some will eat virtually anything and can have enormous appetites. This can make larger breeds extremely expensive to look after, so if you are on a tight budget it is worth doing your sums to see if you can afford to keep them.

The quality of a dogs’ diet is also important, so consult with experts at Tree House Puppies as they can help to tailor meals specifically for each breed so that they receive the vitamins and nutrients applicable for their body needs. If a dog is well fed they will be much happier and easier to train, so it is of value not to overlook their diet when considering which breed to buy.

Training

Training dogs can be an extremely time-consuming process that can be rewarding and frustrating in equal measures. If you do not have the time or inclination to spend perhaps an hour a day when your dog is a puppy, training them properly, then certain breeds such as a Golden Shepherd or a Bulldog are not going to be for you.

A Poodle or a Collie on the other hand will take instruction easily from a young age. There is nothing worse than returning home to find that your living room has been torn to shreds by an unruly dog, so make sure you have the aptitude to train an animal before choosing your next companion.

Pedigree or Not?

We all want to have the best looking dog possible, however, over the years many dog breeds have been bred for show purposes and this has meant that they have become somewhat inbred.

Take the Bulldog, for example. This breed has become so interbred that the skull has become squashed which often leads to breathing problems. This can result in huge veterinary bills as operations are often required to correct the issues, and in some cases, their breathing becomes so bad that they need to be put down.

Other pure breeds can also be born with deformities and can suffer from ailments such as arthritis later in life. It is therefore important to do your research when choosing a dog and you should not rule out a mongrel as these types will have a much wider gene pool.

Not every breed of dog is correct for every lifestyle, so it really is crucial that you analyze your chosen breed in depth before you go ahead and by one. Think about how much exercise you can give, the training required, and the potential cost of maintaining your new pet, and you will end up with a pooch that can perfectly fit into your lifestyle leaving you with a new best friend for many years to come.