Choosing a Dog

Choosing a dog

Mike Dogtrainer

08.05.2013

Category: Dog breeding

So, you have decided to get a four-legged friend. It is a quite responsible decision and you have to think over a lot of moments to avoid troubles and misunderstanding in the future.

The general tips

1. Choosing a dog breed

Choosing a dog breed is the first step to decide while taking a dog home. In the order to choose the best suiting dog breed for you, you should analyse your way of life, your temperament and character. Remember your habits and what you are expecting from the dog, what function it should release in your family. Chihuahua hardly can guard your home, and St. Bernard will not suit a tiny bag of a glamorous woman to accomplish her image. The choice of a dog breed is based also on financial possibilities, square of living area, activity of the owner's lifestyle and a lot of other characteristics.

The most intelligent dog breeds list

2. Male or female dog

Male or female dog to choose? Decide this question on your own, as well as both of them have their own positive and negative features. Male dogs are conquerors, in the first turn, perfect guards with unlimited desire to reproduction and fight for leadership (with you as well). Female dogs are more obedient and calm, but be ready for heat at least twice a year, for pregnancy and delivery. It is impossible to tell which sex is better, for the right decision learn the features of both dog sexes.

3. Pedigree dog or not?

Pedigree is a document that contains data about dog's parents and ancestry till the fourth line, facts of their being participated in shows and competitions. It is a really important question to take a pedigree dog or not pedigree one. Decide this question before you take a dog and take into account all the results of your choice.

4. Dog types: Pet, Breed, Show

Dog are divided into four types according to their characteristics and natural features:

1) Pet

2) Breed

3) Show

The type of dog decided the future possibility of a dog to take part in shows, breeding, and the amount of money the dog and its care costs.

5. Choose a dog breeder

Specialists recommend to avoid taking a dog from ordinary people, at the pet market or by advertisement. The optimal and the best decision to take a dog from a dog breeder or dog nursery. Read information about dog shows, forums about dog breeders and listen to advices of happy dog owners.

6. Dog choosing: are the parents of puppy important?

As well as a human being, a dog inherits features of appearance, character and some habits of its parents. of course, you can correct dog's behavior by definite training and well-breeding, but it is impossible to change a dog character completely. You should also decide the possibility of a dog to take part in shows and competitions: here the professional skills, medals and achievements of its parents are important.

7. Dog choice from a definite offspring

if you have decided on dog breed, sex, breeder, parents and offspring of your puppy, here is the question which exactly puppy to take? Experienced people advise not to go into extremes and not to choose the smallest or the largest puppy. it is better to keep to the "golden mean". There are definite and simple tests that will help you to make the right choice of puppy.

Peculiarities of the choice of a dog

1. A family dog

if you are leaving not alone, then you should keep in mind, that your family members will have to contact with a dog as well, that's why turn your attention to their wishes and thoughts. If you have little kids - the choice of a dog should be much more strict. Nowadays there are more 500 dog breeds, and not all of them are good with families and kids.

2. A dog for children

Of course, not every dog will be good for family and children. Some dogs are calm and gentle, other are aggressive and more likely to serve as a guard or military dog. there is a list of dog breeds, that are recommended as family dogs good with children. Ask your child which dog he/she would like to have, but do not rely on child's choice completely. This decision is to be made by an adult person with consideration of all features of dog's behavior and dog's character.

3. A dog for highly allergic individual

American scientists consider, that highly allergic people react not to long dog fur, but special proteins in dog's saliva and skin. But the resent researches revealed several dog breeds which does not cause allergy or cause minimal influence to highly allergic individual

4. A dog for retired people

As well as a dog for children, not any dog will suit a retired person. You should take into account the possibility of the person to supply a dog with a proper care and character and needs of a dog and a person.

Living conditions and hobbies

1. If you live at apartment

Any dog breed fits for living at an apartment, the question is if you are ready to handle the inconveniences caused by a dog living by your side. Here you should take into consideration dog breed characteristics, size, fur length, temperament etc.

2. If you live in a suburban house

If you have a possibility to keep a dog outside, take into account that not any dog will fit for this living circumstance. It is perfect for and active large dog breeds. But if the large dog has a short fur, it should stay inside at definite conditions as well.

3. If you want to have a guard dog

Here you should take into account the characteristics of a dog breed. Decide if you want a dog to work as a signal system, barking at strange people, or you need a real guard dog ready to protect your home from any danger. In the first case a dog should not obligatory to be large and strong, but in the second it should be a special guard dog breed with definite characteristics and features for guard function.

Best dog breeds for home and family guard

4. If you are a hunter...

Choosing a dog for hunting is not an easy task. Hunting dogs are divided into:

1) Greyhound

2) Hole

3) Hound

4) Setter/Pointer

5) Spaniel

6) Husky

Before taking a dog for hunting, learn for which type of hunting and in what conditions it is bred and used.

Other choice tips

1. Non-moulting dogs

It is almost impossible to find a non-moulting dog. But some dog breeds moult less that others, and if it is a vital question for you, stop your choice on the least furry dog breed, like Boston Terrier, Chinese crested dog etc.

Dog Moult article will give you more information about this problem.

2. Non smelly dogs

Some people cannot stand specific dog's smell. Here the question is: "Are there non smelly dogs?". First of all, smell of a dog depends on its breed and proper hygiene, feeding and health of a definite dog. Here turn your attention to such dog breeds, as Poodle, Mittelschnauzer etc.

3. Non barking dogs

It is hard to believe, but there are dogs that do not bark. If it is a problem for you - choose a dog breed, for example, Basenji. The Basenji produces an unusual yodel-like sound commonly called a "barroo", due to its unusually shaped larynx. This trait also gives the Basenji the nickname "Barkless Dog". And it is not the only barkless dog.

When you choose a dog, you choose not only a pet, but a reliable friend and a family member. This process is very difficult and responsible. Take the right decision following the recommendations step by step. We hope they will help you to make the right decision.

The next article will help you to care for a new puppy: Bringing a Puppy Home. New Puppy Care

new puppy care