If you’re ready to adopt or buy a dog, researching which breed of dog would be the best in your situation is paramount to having a happy and cohesive home. There isn’t a best breed of dog, but there may be a best breed of dog for you. Looking at a dog’s purpose that it was bred for and picturing how it applies to your life can tell you a lot. It’s important to consider not only how the dog will fit into your current situation, but also to look ahead into the future to make sure it’s a “forever” kind of fit.
Breed Purpose vs. Your Lifestyle
Any breed’s original purpose will be evident in their behavior and their physical needs. Herding dogs will herd, guardian breeds will guard, sight hounds will chase, etc. Carefully consider which traits you would love in a dog and which you would have a hard time dealing with, such as barking, digging, chasing thing, herding behaviors, etc. Before anything else, come up with a plan for how you will meet the needs of the dog.
The best thing you can do is ask yourself, what types of activities do you already do and that you hope your dog will enjoy? Be honest. If you love to relax on the couch and watch Netflix, a less active breed would happily join you. If you’re an avid hiker, seek a breed that can keep up with you on the trail. If you hope that a high energy dog will motivate you to become more active, keep in mind that once you get the dog, the commitment to meet that dog’s standard for daily exercise is non-negotiable.
Future Plans with Your Dog
When you picture your future, consider where your potential dog fits into it. You may not have children now, but do you plan to have them sometime within the lifespan of your dog? If so, you may want to research breeds that are good with children. If you foresee moving, consider that breed bans can make it difficult in some areas to move with certain breeds, and that many places have weight restrictions, so large dogs may make finding a place harder if you’re renting.
Another thing to ask yourself is, are your comfortable dealing with health issues that are common in your chosen breed? For example, English Bulldogs are notorious for developing skin issues and food allergies, which can be costly to medicate and time-consuming to treat. When it comes to medical issues, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!
You may also want think about what other animals you or someone in your family might want in the future. Many breeds are known for having trouble living with cats, birds, small animals, or other dogs. While there are always exceptions to the rule, you can save yourself a lot of strife by choosing a breed that will do well with other pets you intend to have.
The key to success and happiness as a dog owner is making thoughtful, informed decisions that will be for the best of the dog and for you. There are many sources for great information that can help you on your way, such as the AKC website or the help of a professional trainer. The truth is, any dog can be the right dog if you are willing to put in the effort to adapt to their needs. The important part is to figure out what kind of adapting you’re willing to do!
If you are in search of the “purrr-fect” companion, take a look at some of these great organizations: Old Dog Haven, Homeward Pet, Seattle Humane Society or Petfinder.
