4 Things You Need To Know When Selecting The Right Dog For Your Family
Katie, is our resident dog expert. She is here to answer any questions you have about dog breeding, puppy training, and dogs! She will post a weekly answer to a question that YOU asked! She has over 20 years experience working with dogs as a Vet Nurse, teaching dog obedience classes, fostering dogs, working with non-profit service dog organizations, and the list goes on.
When faced with selecting a dog for a family pet it can be overwhelming with all the options out there.
Purebred, mixed breed, puppy, adult?
1️⃣ The first thing you want to do as a family is decide what you want in a dog. Do you want a buddy to sit on the couch and watch tv with? A protector who will warn of strangers? A running or hiking buddy?
2️⃣ Next you need to decide how much time you have to devote to a dog. Older dogs may already be house trained. In general, they might not do as much chewing or mouthing as a young puppy. Some older dogs might not need as much exercise or may already know some basic obedience commands.
Training puppies takes a lot of time and effort. House training, puppy biting, and basic manner training will take work and consistency from everyone in the family.
3️⃣ Next you need to consider what size dog you want. How much house and yard space do you have? Some large dogs can live comfortably in a small apartment or condo, but in general, the larger the dog, the more space they will need. Larger dogs often need more exercise too. If there are small children or elderly people in the family or visiting frequently, a large, high energy dog may be too active. Likewise if you want to run and hike with your dog, a tiny toy breed might have a hard time keeping up. Some breeds with short noses don't do well with lots of exercise, especially when it's hot outsde.
4️⃣ Another factor to consider is breed health and care. Giant dogs such as the Great Dane, tend to have shorter lifespans than small breeds. Some breeds are more prone to health conditions. It's important to do research on the breed you are interested in to see what health conditions they might be prone to. Long or curly hair dogs tend to need frequent grooming, usually every 4-8 weeks. Some dogs shed more than others and could aggravate allergies. Veterinary care is necessary for all dogs and is a cost to consider when getting a dog.
Dogs become our family and it is important to put time and research into what dog might be best suited to your lifestyle. Try to visit with the breed of dog you are considering. Talk to people who own the type of dog you want. Remember, no two dogs are the same and depending on the breeding, training and environment a dog is raised in, it will have an impact on the dog's personality. Even in the same litter, different personalities are present. Take time to get to know the dog or puppy you are selecting and with consistent training and love you will have a family member that will bless and enrich your life.
Do you have a question for Katie? Submit your question to info@homemadepuppies.com.
Also looking for a puppy? We have a large variety of puppies from pure-bred to mixed breed and large to small. Check out the in-home raised puppies we offer at www.homemadepuppies.com. The puppy's information such as location, description, price, breeder's contact information will be listed on the puppy's page.
Do you have a litter of in-home raised puppies that you would like to advertise on www.homemadepuppies.com? Email info@homemadepuppies.com for more information on how to get started!
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