What Breed Of Dog Is Best For Your Family?
13/01/2022 - Blog
Thinking of adopting a puppy or a dog? Careful research now could save you some headaches in the future. Here are our tips on deciding what breed* of dog is best for your family.
*By breed - I mean type of dog. Crossbreeds and rescue dogs with unknown parentage can make awesome pets. It’s all about character and temperament.
How NOT To Choose A Breed Of Dog
The single biggest mistake you could ever make when deciding which type of dog will best suit your lifestyle, is to fall in love with their looks. Sure, looks can be important, but only from the point of view that an individual dog’s appearance tells you a lot about its general health.
You may think for example, that a German Shepherd puppy with its pricked ears, fuzzy face and intelligent eyes would make a fabulous companion. But have you seen the size of an adult German Shepherd? Is there really enough room in your home to give him or her the space they need?
Or what about that pretty little cockerpoo? Lovely dogs but even though they don’t grow very big, they DO need a lot of exercise. Plus regular visits to the groomer are essential. The average cockerpoo lives for around 12 years. He or she will need trimming every six weeks or so. That’s over 100 groomer appointments - can you afford that? Do you have the time to take your pup to and from the salon on a regular basis?
What Characteristics Are You Looking For In A Pet Dog?
Just as you would type a ‘wish list’ into an online dating site if you were looking for a life partner, start your breed research by deciding what sort characteristics you think are important for a companion dog.
- What size of adult dog could you comfortably fit into your house, car and garden?
- How strong are you? If your pet goes through a phase of pulling on the lead, could you cope?
- Do you have enough time to brush and groom a long haired dog? Or would you find a short haired breed easier to manage?
- Is anyone in your household allergic to dog hair or dander? You might want to consider a poodle or a poodle cross - they don’t moult but they do need regular trimming.
- Are you energetic? Some types of dog have very busy brains and will need you to provide lots of interactive activities to keep them out of mischief.
- What about training? ALL dogs need training, it’s an ongoing part of their welfare, but puppies, adolescents and some rescues need a lot of time and patience invested into them so that they can become happy, well adjusted pets.
- Temperament - are you looking for a laid back, easy going companion? An energetic pal who can accompany you on long walks? A gentle soul who loves cuddles? Bear in mind though, that a dog’s breed or type doesn’t necessarily guarantee that he or she will have a particular temperament. In my time as a trainer I’ve met all sorts. From lazy spaniels to nervous golden retrievers, hyperactive whippets to grumpy labradors. Selecting the right pup and training it well are key to a successful relationship with your pet.
Choosing a breed of dog - or at least narrowing down your options
Once you have a clear vision of how your new pet will fit into your family, it’s a good idea to talk to several different people who can steer you towards the breed of dog that is best for your family.
- Dog trainers - are probably the best people to ask about dog breeds. The people in my team are not only exposed to a whole range of dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages - they talk to other people in the industry. We’re all trained to understand common behavioural traits in different breeds and actually, we’re pretty good at matching dogs to their owners too. It’s like a 6th sense!
- Vets and vet nurses. Just like dog trainers, vets only want what’s best for our pets. And what’s best for any dog is a loving home where they can behave more or less naturally without causing any conflict with the other occupants. Most vets and vet nurses go home every night to an animal menagerie. They can tell you what’s great about a breed of dog, and what’s really annoying. They can also talk to you about possible health issues that are associated with some breeds and direct you towards a responsible breeder.
- Friends and family. The people that know you best. Not everyone is a dog expert but most have experience (real or anecdotal) of several breeds. Don’t let anyone talk you into adopting their favourite breed of dog though. It’s important that you research and find the pet that’s right for you, your household and your lifestyle.
- Rescue home staff. If anyone knows dogs, it’s these people. Tell them about your lifestyle and your energy levels and they’ll be more than happy to introduce you to some dog breeds that you might enjoy sharing your life with. Stay open minded - some of the pets that end up in rescue homes might not be your first choice, but that doesn’t mean they’re not great dogs. As I said at the beginning of the article NEVER judge a dog by its looks. Unless of course you want a show dog or a pet who can compete in canine sports like agility or flyball.
- Online. There’s a great feature on the Kennel Club website that lists all of the pedigree dog breeds and allows you to filter them to find a pet that is most likely to suit your lifestyle. Visit the website here. https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z
Buying or adopting your new pet
Having narrowed down your choices, it’s time to decide where you will obtain your new pet. Please be sure to help stamp out the puppy farming trade by going to either a rescue organisation or a responsible breeder. Buying from a puppy farm may feel as though you are saving a pup from awful conditions, but actually you are potentially condemning yourself to living with lots of health and behavioural problems. You are unlikely to end up with a happy healthy companion AND you will be financing cruelty.
Read my article on how to pick the perfect puppy for you.
Need help deciding on the right dog breed for your lifestyle?
Book a session with one of our trainers to discuss your options and help prepare you for welcoming a fur baby into your life.
