10 Tips for Choosing the Best Dog Breed

Dog lovers who are looking to purchase or adopt a new friend may wonder how to pick a dog breed. Are you asking yourself, "What dog breed should I get?" Choosing the right dog breed is vital to a long and happy friendship between master and dog. I have had many different breeds of dogs over the years and each has had its good points and bad.

Living Space

Do you live in an apartment or a house? Do you have a fenced in yard or a nearby dog park? These are the types of questions you must ask yourself when picking a dog breed. A large dog breed that needs plenty of room to run would be unhappy in an efficiency apartment.

Time

How much time do you have to devote to your dog? Some dog breeds need more attention and socialization than others. Make sure to do your research in order to pick a dog breed that matches your needs and time restraints.

Family

Some dogs are great family pets. Others are nervous and agitated around children. Do not put a dog in a difficult situation if you have small children. Choose a family friendly dog.

Activity Level

If you are a jogger, you can find a breed that loves to run alongside you. However, choosing a dog breed whose activity level does not match your own can cause problems for both dog and owner. If you lead a sedentary life, choose a dog breed that is mellow.

Grooming

A dog breed can require nothing more than an occasional brushing or it may require scheduled trips to a professional groomer. Take this into account when choosing a dog breed.

Intelligence Level

Each dog breed has varying levels of intelligence. If you want a dog that will quickly learn obedience commands, choose a dog breed that is highly intelligent.

Guard DogAptitude

You may or may not want a dog breed that will alert you to strangers on your property. If you live in a neighborhood, it can get tiresome to hear barking every time a car drives by. Some breeds are more territorial than others.

Breed Size

Your own strength needs to be taken into account when choosing a dog breed. If you are physically strong, you will be able to control a large dog breed. However, if you don't think you could keep a large dog under control, consider a smaller dog breed.

Independence / Obedience

Dogs breeds have different attitudes when it comes to being independent or obedient. Choose a dog breed that is bred to be obedient if this is an important quality to you.

Future Goals

Bringing a dog into your life is a long-term commitment. A dog can easily stay in your family for over a decade. You may think you can adopt a dog that isn't good with children because you are single, but if you plan to marry and start a family in the next 10 years, you might want to consider a different breed.