Paws and Reflect: Considerations When Choosing The Right Breed Of Dog

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Dogs come in a vast array of breeds. When selecting a dog to adopt, it’s important to not just pick a breed based on looks - there are many practical considerations you also need to make such as making sure your furry friend isn’t too big for your home and making sure that they get on with any other pets. This post delves into some of the important factors to think about when choosing the right dog breed.

Temperament

Every pooch has its own personality. That said, certain breeds may be more prone to certain behavioral traits. Some breeds like Newfoundlands have a very passive temperament and make great family pets, while others like German Shepherds are very protective and may not always get along with guests. Others like greyhounds can be fairly timid around humans, but their prey drive makes them less suitable for homes with other small pets. Intelligence and trainability can also vary between breeds. This guide to if dogs had jobs paints a good picture of the different temperaments between breeds.

Living space

Do you live in a tiny apartment? If so, it’s probably not a sensible idea to get a Great Dane. While all breeds start off small as puppies, some grow very big, and will cause chaos in a cramped home environment. It may also not be great for their mental health. Stick to smaller dogs like chihuahuas and pugs in smaller homes for this reason.

Activity level

Some breeds require more exercise than others. Breeds like border collies and labradors often require lots of walking - which can be great if you’re a hiking enthusiast, but not great if you’re someone with mobility issues. Less active breeds include bulldogs and basset hounds. While such dogs still benefit from walks, they may be content with 10 minutes per day, whereas a dog like a labrador ideally needs two 30 minute walks per day.

Grooming needs

It could also be important to consider the grooming needs of different dog breeds. Double-coated breeds like huskies and golden retrievers need a lot of brushing and can shed a lot of hair. Poodles and Bichon Frises meanwhile barely shed, but their coat keeps growing, so they need to have their hair trimmed every so often. The latter could be better if you have allergies or don’t want to keep cleaning up dog hair, but you do need to be prepared to cut their hair, which may require paying a dog grooming service.

Health problems

Some breeds are unfortunately more prone to health problems. For example, pugs are prone to respiratory and eye problems, while labradors can often get joint problems. Be prepared for higher vet bills and pet insurance rates when choosing a breed that is susceptible to health problems. Which breeds are least likely to encounter health problems? While no dog is immune to health issues, mixed breed dogs tend to actually be some of the healthiest and yet are some of the least popular types of dog because they don’t fit in a breed category.

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