When it comes to bringing a dog into your household, it is not merely a consideration of picking a puppy with a fetching face or deciding that it is the “in thing.” It is actually a process of identifying a living creature that has needs, characteristics, and traits that work seamlessly into the lifestyle that is already present within a household. The wrong choice can cause stress, aggravation, and problems within the animal and its owner, while the correct choice brings a house into a home that has a wagging tail and is well-balanced.
It is good to look at your lifestyle before looking at individual breeds. How much room do you have? What is the level of activity in your home? Are you a working mom, with kids at home, or do you travel a lot? Popularity is so secondary to all these considerations.
Space Matters More Than Size Alone
One of the most common misconceptions is the notion that small dogs are well-suited for apartments and large dogs require houses with yards. In most cases, the energy level of a dog takes priority over its size. A quiet Greyhound can thrive in an apartment environment, while a very active terrier can wreak havoc in an apartment setting.
When reading about various dog breeds, one should consider going beyond generalized descriptions and consider more in-depth characteristics which can be the behavioral patterns, the energy levels, and the genetics of the specific breed. Applications such as Basepaws are useful in ensuring that pet owners are aware of how the heritage of a breed may affect the day to day activities of a dog and hence it is simple to adopt a breed of a dog that would be comfortable in a particular house set up and not just a fad.
In case of a smaller house, it is vital to take into account breeds, which have the qualities of flexibility, limited cases of barking, and average energy rates. In case it is a bigger house and hopefully with a yard, this could have more room to it, but it does not always mean that all highly energetic breeds would be suitable to it.
Family Dynamics and Temperament
Home cannot be just a wall and furniture. It is individuals, habits, emotional cycles. Dogs are extremely sensitive in relation to such dynamics. A family with young children ought to be interested in breeds that have been known to be patient, sociable, and stable. A dog which is easily frightened or very protective might not fit in an active home.
When your home is peaceful and stable, then it is possible that you want a more closed or independent dog. Assuming that your family is active and outgoing, you will need a dog that will not be shy and prefer solitude.
Genetic and environmental composition influences temperament, although the potential breed characteristics may help to get you on the right path. This knowledge also spares you the trouble of setting up hopes which can hardly be met in future resulting to disappointments.
Time Commitment and Energy Levels
Dogs do not fit into your schedule. They are something in your routine. There are varying levels of physical and mental stimulation requirements of different breeds of dogs. Others take several hours a day, and some are happy to spend time with the owners.
You might want to reflect on what amount of time you can reasonably devote on a daily basis, not on weekends or once the initial exuberation of bringing home that new puppy has worn off but what you will observe in high-energy bred dogs which correlate to a lower energy lifestyle in regards to such behaviors as destructive chewing, anxiety attacks, or persistent barking.
It is necessary to engage the mind and work the body. The intelligent dogs can be subjected to puzzles, training or play as a prerequisite to them being complete. When the intelligence of the dogs is matched with individual availability, life will become easier to everyone.
Allergies, Grooming, and Maintenance
Another factor that might also not be given the deserved attention in relation to the selection of a dog is maintenance. Some breeds of dogs shed a lot or need much grooming or even have the tendency to develop a certain health problem.
When any of the members of the family is allergic to some kind of animal, there is need to find a hypoallergenic breed of the dog that sheds very little or even none at all. Yet, it should be remembered that there is no single dog, which does not shed some allergens.
Actually, grooming requirements may vary widely in each case of a dog. There are those dogs like the ones that require professional grooming regularly and those that require regular brushing. It is these features that should also be considered by an individual.
