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Choosing a dog breed
Before you buy a puppy, you need to think carefully about choosing a dog breed. This means working out what breed of dog will suit your lifestyle and budget.
How do I choose a dog breed?The trick is to think about yourself before choosing a puppy! That is, think about your
lifestyle
and needs. That way you'll have a better chance of buying a puppy that fits
into your life - as if you had been made for each other! Too often, people get seduced by a sweet little puppy in a pet shop window and, before they know it, they've bought a little fluff-ball that grows into a woolly mammoth, needs expensive grooming and eats them out of house and home! So, when choosing a dog breed, think carefully about what sort of dog will fit into your family life and situation, then read about some puppy breeds that match your needs. Even if you decide to try puppy adoption by gettin mixed breed dogs or crossbreed dogs from an animal shelter, you still need to know about the characteristics of the different breeds that will go to make up your new pup. What to ask yourself when choosing a dog breedWhat sort of person are you? Couch potato, marathon runner - or is a gentle walk in the park more your style? What's your budget? Not just for buying the puppy but for food and veterinary bills? What are your house and garden like? Do you have the room to keep a dog? What's next? All about breeds, mixed breeds and crossbreeds, and designer dogs What sort of person are you?Are you a sedentary person, who doesn't go out much but likes a walk in the outdoors?You should be choosing a dog breed that doesn't need much exercise and that will be happy to lounge about with you in between strolls around your suburb or to the park. Are you an energetic, sporty person, with a passion for jogging or for playing on the beach? A high-energy dog is what you'll want if you'd like a furry companion to join in the fun! Here's a short list of some low-exercise and high-energy breeds of dogs:Low exercise dogs
High energy dogs
Remember:
'low
exercise' doesn't mean 'no exercise'!
All dogs, from the tiniest Chihuahua to the laziest St Bernard, need their exercise - not only for their physical health but also for their mental well-being. There's nothing a dog loves more than sniffing about, finding out what the other dogs in town have been up to and checking out the news. Also note that many 'low exercise' dogs love running and jumping - for example, toy and miniature poodles often excel at dog agility sports. When choosing a dog breed, think about your strength and how much dog you can handle. Large dogs, like labradors and standard poodles, can be very strong (even as puppies) and can easily drag their owners along at the end of the leash! When
choosing a dog, select a breed that matches your strength What's your budget?The price you pay to buy a puppy is only the start of the money you'll need to spend on your pup! There's feeding your puppy, puppy worms, vaccinations to avoid dog illnesses, toys, bedding, getting the dog minded while you're away, medical emergencies ... It's quite a list! Are you sure you can afford to buy a puppy? Dog ownership is a big responsibility. If you're on a shoestring budget, think twice before you buy that pup. Food is what you'll spend most of your money on, followed by medical expenses.
How
much food will your puppy need when he's grown?
Include all food costs, as well as vet bills, in your budget when choosing a puppy. As a general rule, large, energetic dogs will eat much more than small dog breeds. And the better the quality of the food you buy, the healthier and happier your dog will be. Medical expenses can be a big drain on your purse - if your dog gets hit by a car and needs an operation it could cost hundreds or even thousands in vet bills. But nowadays it's possible to take out pet insurance, which works much like human medical insurance, to help you budget for emergencies. What are your house and garden like?Do you have a big house with a large yard? Or a small house with a tiny yard? Or do you live in an apartment? These are all important things to think about when choosing a dog breed. A big dog will usually need more room to run about in during the day than a little dog. So as a general rule, the larger the dog, the more space you'll need. But if you are committed to walking your dog several times a day for at least 30 minutes, it's possible to keep a big dog in a small area - even an apartment. Just research the breeds carefully to find out which dogs are suited to apartment living. The important things is for the dog, large or small, to get exercise and stimulation with regular walks and playtime with you. Choose
a
puppy breed that suits your living arrangements. What's next?Once you've decided roughly what sort of puppy to look for, you'll want to know more about puppy breeds. Also, should you buy a purebred or a crossbreed puppy? What about those designer dogs everyone is talking about? And now that you know how to go about choosing a dog breed, don't forget to check our Where to buy puppies page to find out where to go to find a puppy. More puppy information at PuppyPrimer.comMixed Breed Dogs, crossbreeds or purebred dogs - which is best? Designer Dogs - labradoodles, cockapoos, spoodles, pugaliers ... New Puppy Care - how to look after your puppy's health How to Train a Puppy - simple, quick, professional training tips Puppy Supplies: A Buyers Guide - Where to buy the best products for your puppy. A handpicked selection.
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