First, is your family on the go all the time? Do you have the time to spend training and working with a dog? Or will this dog be alone most of the time because your family is away a lot? If you plan on being home and working with the dog, or even using it as a jogging partner, then a high energy breed such as a Golden Retriever, Dalmatian or German Short-haired Pointer would work out great for you and your family. Each of these breeds are very high energy and need a 'job' or something to do, such as agility or running to keep them busy. They are not the type to sit about the house and wait for you to return.
If you live in an apartment or just want a smaller dog that you can keep small and walk when it's convenient to your schedule or on the weekends, perhaps the 'toy' breeds such as Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers and other Terriers such as the Jack Russell or Rat Terriers would make good pets for you and your family. They can be calmer than the larger dogs, yet some may require a lot of attention.
You can not always judge a dog by its breed. You have to look at the individual dogs and if you can, its parents before you decide if this is the dog for you and your family.
In the case of the shelter dogs, it is impossible to know what their parents are like and sometimes impossible to know what the dog or puppy itself will be like once you bring it home and away from the shelters kennels. Here you have to trust your instincts and gut feeling about the dog and decide for yourself what will be best for both you and the dog. The rule of the breed is usually correct in shelter situations more often than not. And a quick trip to the veterinarians will tell you if the dog is healthy or not and if he or she is in good condition.
Temperament is something you must find out once you bring the new dog or puppy home, especially if you have other animals like a cat or another dog in the house. A lot of times, if the shelter dog has been in foster care, they will be able to tell you if the dog or puppy gets along with other pets.
If you have another dog and want to bring home a new dog or puppy, you might want to introduce them before bringing the new pet home. All breeders and shelters will allow you to bring your dog to their facility to meet the new dog or puppy to make sure they interact well and can tolerate one another for at least a short period of time before bringing the new pet home.
Dogs are wildly popular pets; in 2006, there were more than sixty one million dogs in the United States alone. While dogs have utilitarian uses, such as hunting, security, or aiding the handicapped, most people have them as pets simply because they provide companionship. Dogs do make good companions, and they are loyal and attentive pets. They are not suitable for everyone, however.
Prior to adopting a dog, there are a few things you may wish to consider ahead of time:
Maintenance issues. Dogs require a lot of maintenance. Unlike cats, they will need to go outside from time to time. If you don't have a fenced yard where the animal can run unattended, you will have to personally walk your pet several times a day. You could hire that job out, but either way, you will have to provide either money or time in order to tend to your pet's outside needs.
Suitability issues. If you have young children, you should choose your pet carefully. It's not uncommon for parents of small children to choose a "puppy" for a pet without considering what sort of puppy they are adopting. While a young Dachshund and a young Labrador Retriever may be similar in size, they will not be the same size in six months or a year. Your dog will grow much faster than your children, so you should keep the pet's future size in mind if adopting a puppy.
Expense issues. Owning a pet of any type can be expensive, and dogs are no exception. Pets need to be fed daily, and the cost of food can add up quickly, particularly if you have a larger animal. In addition, there will be occasional visits to the veterinarian, along with vaccinations and even licenses, depending on where you live.
Responsibility issues. Owning a pet comes with great responsibility. Dogs need to be regularly fed. They need time outside the house. They need to see a vet from time to time, and they need attention. Pet ownership comes with an obligation on the part of the owner to see to it that all of the pet's needs are met. If you are an adult and you are buying a pet for your child, keep in mind that these responsibilities ultimately become yours.
Owning a pet in general, and a dog in particular, can be a rewarding experience. Prospective owners need to be aware of all that is involved in owning a pet prior to adopting one. The better you understand what you will need to do ahead of time, the better off you and your dog will be.
Both Tristan Andrews & Charles Essmeier are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.