Things to Keep in Mind When Picking a Dog Breed

When picking a dog breed, it’s not as simple as which breed you want. For example, if you dream of having a big, spunky Golden Retriever —but you live in a small apartment — a Golden may not be the best dog for you. (At least, not while you’re still living in small quarters.) But perhaps more important than it being the best dog for you, is whether or not your surroundings are good for your dog. The dog you bring into your family deserves to be provided with an environment in which he or she can best succeed. That being said, here are some things to keep in mind when picking the dog breed that’s best for your life.

Lifestyle

Although dogs can absolutely be trained and their behavior can be modified in some ways, generally speaking, it’s smartest to choose a dog breed that is inherently tailored to thrive within your lifestyle circumstances. Circling back to the Golden Retriever example, it’s not the best idea to bring a dog of that size into a small living space. Goldens need space to run, play, and feel unconfined. If you live in a small space, a breed like a Yorkie or Morkie may be a better fit.

Lifestyle isn’t just about size, either. Perhaps you think Huskies are absolutely beautiful dogs. (And by any standard, they are.) Nevertheless, they’re not a good fit if you’re in a warmer climate. Huskies want to frolic in the snow, and thus thrive in colder weather.

Your lifestyle doesn’t just affect your dog; it affects you right back. If you don’t thoroughly research the breed and get a Border Collie, for example, you should be prepared for their behavior. Since they were originally herding dogs, Collies will nip at heels and try to control the movements of you (and your family or roommates)throughout your home. If you weren’t prepared for those habits, this behavior could become a nuisance and you could become resentful of your dog.

These are just a few of the many examples where a dog’s inherent behavior and demeanor should correspond with your decision to choose that breed. You want a healthy, loving, mutually beneficial relationship with your dog.

Purpose

Dogs have been bred over time to be “cute” and focus less on their original breed’s purpose. Nevertheless, many of those core purposes have stayed the same. Greyhounds, for example, like to hunt rabbits. Therefore, if you have rabbits or other similar animals in your home, the purpose of a Greyhound will conflict with your ability for them to live with your other animal(s) in a healthy way.

Health

Each dog breed has potential health issues that you should be prepared for. Some quick examples: Great Danes are prone to Addison’s disease, Pugs often have breathing issues, and Yorkshire Terriers can have bad knees. As you can see, the difference between a life-threatening disease like Addison’s disease, as opposed to your dog simply being at risk for weak knees, are risks you have to assess. Can you deal with the coping necessary if your dog ended up having major health problems?

Lifespan is also related to health. Before picking a dog breed, you should be well aware of the lifespan of your potential dog. Some breeds live significantly longer than others, so that is absolutely something to keep in mind.

All In All…

Welcoming a dog into your life can be such a blessing, as they will bring unconditional love and companionship into your life. Before making a commitment, just ensure that you conduct your due diligence and are ready for the long (but wonderful commitment) of adding a dog into your family.

We love talking about the Yorkie, Maltese, and Morkie breeds with anyone who will listen. If you are considering inviting one of these little fellas into your life, please give us a call at 352-220-0351, and we will be happy to discuss whether one of our puppies is the right puppy for you!