Choosing a Dog: How to Choose a Dog For Your Lifestyle

Do you really want a dog?

Choosing a dog means accepting responsibility for its health and wellbeing. Buying a puppy, is not only a major commitment of your money and household possessions but also a contribution of a lot of time, energy and patience (up to 12 years).

Dogs can be expensive. It is not only the purchase price of the puppy but also the ongoing costs of: dog food, supplies, veterinary services, and (depending on the breed) regular visits to a dog grooming service and insurance. Taking holidays without your pet which you may want to do, will require finding someone to look alter your dog or boarding it at a dog kennel.

New dog owners should be prepared to sacrifice some of their household possessions. Puppies will urinate anywhere and anytime they get excited - especially when visitors arrive at your door. Puppies like to chew everything including carpets, coffee tables and shoes. Even after he has been housetrained to go outside, your dog will still love to track mud all over your newly cleaned house and clear your coffee table with a wag of his tail.

Early socialization and dog training can and will prevented or ameliorated many of the problems listed above, however effective training requires a significant amount of time and patience. Some dog breeds will also require a lot more time and energy everyday for exercise and play time.

"Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle"

Most dog breeds were bred to develop the characteristics for:

- herding sheep or pulling sleighs;
- being good companions for families;
- helping hunters retrieve game; and
- exhibiting traits of provenance and beauty.

It is possible to change some breed specific traits and temperament through extensive on-going training. However it is much easier and a lot more enjoyable to choose a breed of dog that matches your specific lifestyle. The next 12 or so years of your life will be a lot more pleasurable if you select the right breed of dog.

"Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle"

10 questions you should consider when choosing a dog.

1. Does your dog need to get along well with children?
2. Are you a first-time dog owner?
3. What size dog do you want?
4. What kind of coat do you want your dog to have?
5. How much time do you have for walks and how fast do you want to run?
6. How much time and patience do you have to invest in obedience training?
7. Do you want your dog to be a watchdog or be friendly to others.

"Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle"