Top Five Things to Consider When Choosing a Dog

When choosing a dog there are many factors that need to be considered before bringing your new dog home. Some breeds require daily grooming along with regular trips to a dog groomer, while other breeds may have genetic problems that may require surgery. Whether your dog is small or large they will cost hundreds of dollars each year. You will hopefully have to live with your choice of dog for many, many years so be sure to be informed and chose wisely.

Size
I think the biggest point to consider when choosing a dog is the breeds size. A dogs size will limit where they can live and how expensive they will be to feed and care for. Consider for a moment the costs of just two necessities, dog food and dog beds. A well made dog food can cost about $1.00 a pound. This means that many large dogs will cost dollars a day to feed. The larger the dog, the larger the dog bed. A large dog bed can cost over $100 for a good quality dog bed, compared to dog beds as low as $10 for a small dog. Before choosing a large dog be sure that you have the space and money to provide a comfortable life for a large breed dog.

Temperament
Looks can be deceiving when it comes to dogs. For instance a Dachshund looks like they'd make a great lap dog and a Husky seems like they would make great watch dogs, however the opposite is true of the Dachshund and the Husky. If you are looking for a calm, sweet lap dog you need to spend time researching the breeds. Narrow your search to a few breeds that should fit the temperament you are searching for. You must remember though that not every dogs personality will fit into the typical temperament for that particular breed.

Coat Type
Many people forget to consider the coat type of a dog before purchasing or adopting a new dog. Different breeds have different coats, many dog coats require daily grooming just to keep the dogs coat from matting. Breeds with under coats shed excessively with each major seasonal change. While other breeds will shed their coat all year long. Be sure that your finances and schedule can accommodates a dog breed with a long coat that may require daily brushing and regular grooming. Every dog no matter the breed will also require regular nail clippings that can be done at home or by a professional dog groomer.

Exercise Requirements
The size of the dog does not necessarily mean less or more exercise. Most of the toy breeds do not require much exercise to keep them trim and stimulated. Most dog breeds require more than just a run in the yard for exercise. Breeds like the Jack Russell and German Shorthaired Pointer require interactive games to keep from getting bored. Many dogs can become destructive when bored, not out of malice, just out of shear boredom. If you can not spend at least thirty minutes two a day with your dog you probably do not have time in your schedule for a dog.

Genetic Problems
Genetic problems can be from a particular bred deficiency or from poor breeding or both. There are a few breeds that have so many genetic weaknesses that pet insurance companies won't even insure the breed. Many toy and oversized breeds have genetic problems based just on their size. However, just because a certain breed is prone to a genetic condition does not mean that your dog will develop the condition. As a responsible owner you should be aware of the genetic weaknesses of the breeds your considering and the symptoms of each condition. Early detection and treatment can help prevent additional problems.