The chances are that you might have fallen for those innocent eyes and furry cute faces and are now wandering around looking for a new cozy friend and a family member. If that’s true, it is easy to fall prey to some rash decision and end up regretting it, or at best thinking “what if” for other breeds, sizes or sources.

However, thorough research and a guide to finding and choosing a dog will certainly help you in getting the best companion that you hoped for. To achieve that goal, you should first choose the right breed that fits your and your family’s requirements followed by finding the very best dog for your home.

Part 1: Choosing The Pet with these considerations

There are many questions that go through your head before you make your final decision on getting a particular dog, and you have thought through what you are going to expect from your new member.

To get the best result, learning about what it’s like to be a parent to these beautiful family members and what they demand from you is important. this includes basic routines, your accessibility, primary pet care, training, etc.

It will certainly help if you ask yourself the following questions

• Can I give proper time to my pet daily?
• Can I afford the cost of having a pet?
• Can I provide proper care and training to my new pet?
• Will my dog be treated as a valued family member?
• Are family/close friends going to be a part of a dog’s life?

Compatibility With Lifestyle

Choosing the type of dog that is compatible with your schedule and daily lifestyle is essential. If you are the type of person who is often on business meetings or tours, then an active breed dog would not be the best choice.

On the other hand, if you are an active person, then the dog that matches your activity level would be ideal. Dogs, especially puppies, also require other maintenance such as proper grooming, affection, and training.

Dog Vs Puppy?

One factor that gets everyone confused while choosing the best dog for them is whether they get a puppy or an adult. Most people don’t understand how much care and attention puppies demand.

They require constant care, supervision, and training to grow into friendly and well-trained dog that doesn’t scare away other animals, children, or strangers. Puppies raised with your family will have a better chance of adapting to the environment of your house.

Being captivated by the killer looks of a puppy, many people ignore how much he will grow up in just a couple of months and how active he will become. If you live in a small apartment, this might become a big problem in the future.

If you are a couch potato or a busy person, you shout opt for a less active breed or an adult dog. Puppies also require medical investment in getting properly vaccinated and in other veterinary care.

Purebred Vs Mix Breed Dog

 One question that gets many minds confused is whether they should get a purebred dog or a mix-breed dog. If you have already made your decision to get a purebred, then you must study and understand how different breeds differ from each other. Each breed has its own characteristics and requirements.

Every breed was developed in order to perform different specific tasks: hunting, guarding, herding, et cetera. Purebred dogs are also more expensive as compared to other mix-breed dogs.

Understanding all about the purebred dog will certainly help you guide in choosing the best companion. You would then be able to decide that that particular breed will suit your or your family’s lifestyle.

You would also be able to properly vaccinate your furry companion against different diseases that are associated with a particular breed of dogs.

Temperament of Dog

The saying “one size fits all” doesn’t get along when talking about dog breeds. Factors involving size, temperament, and activity level, play a major role in choosing the best dog breed. It would be best to question whether you are getting this dog as a surprise for your family, for guarding the house, or as a hunting companion.

These major choices will determine the size, temperament, or activity level for your soon-to-be buddy.

Children-Friendly

 If you are getting this dog for your children, you should choose the breed that is calm in temperament and has moderate energy levels. But if you are looking for a hunting dog, it should have high energy levels and a high temperament and should be large in size.

Another consideration while choosing the best bud is whether the dog will be a part of children’s life or not. If the dog is raised in a household involving children, he should be trained to respond to all family members, and he would then see them all as a part of his family.

In the opposite case, where children have not been a part of an adult dog, he might resent the attention given to the children in his presence, and it will cause behavioral changes in your dog. Whatever the case, your dog should interact with children and should never be left alone with infants or small children.

Size of the Dog

 Your furry companion will live for many years, and these small choices that you make in the choosing phase will have a great impact on you and your family members. For instance, a large breed of dogs needs more room and space, and, in most cases, they are more active than a small breed of dogs.

Therefore, you would have to make arrangements; accordingly, you would have to fence your house so that your dog has the space that it requires. On the other hand, small breed of dogs has its own complications.

Such as, if you have small children, this might not be the best choice because your dog could get hurt during playtime because of its delicate body structure. Some small-bred dogs, despite their small size, has high energy levels and will require more exercise on a daily basis.

Coat of the Dog

 We hope that by now, you have come a long way in choosing your furry companion. The next question that probably got you confused might be regarding the coat of your pet. Dog of the same breed comes in different sizes of hair.

Long-haired dogs require more grooming and are best suited for regions that are cold. On the other hand, dogs with short-haired coats are best for the hot climate. Dogs that stay inside for the most part of the day and have a proper setup for them might get along with any region without any difficulty.

Consulting Peers & Friends

Last but not least, you should question people you know who own a dog. This will also help you choose the right companion for you and will also enlighten you regarding the day-to-day life of pet owners. You can also ask for the best breeders and vets available in the area. You can also ask about their pet’s daily routine, what they feed them, and also how to train a dog for best behavior.

Part 2: Finding the right dog/puppy for you

The next phase is carefully finding your furry companion. There are many sources through which you can acquire a dog. Each source has its advantage or disadvantage, but one thing you should make sure of is that you are getting your pet from a registered pet shop or kennel unless your source is family or friend. There might be pet shops that acquire dogs that are raised in a poor environment, and this could lead to many problems in the future.

No matter where you are getting your companion from, you should watch closely the surroundings where the dogs are being kept. Make sure that fresh water is available at all times and that there is no foul smell due to improper ventilation. Also, observe the behavior of all dogs kept in the building, that they are happy and not scared. The vicinity should smell almost like a disinfectant, and dogs or puppies themselves should not smell like urine or fences.

In the process of choosing the best dog that fits your lifestyle, you should also visit different nearby shelters, pet shops, and kennels so that you can observe things beforehand without getting distracted by a new pet.

Check the Medical History Beforehand

 Once you are satisfied with the source, make sure that the dog you like is healthy. Also, ask about the medical history, vaccination, and whether the dog has been neutered or not. If you are getting a purebred dog, ask about its parents and any medical history associated with the parents.

Adopt, Not Shop

Pet adoption centers are now also the best source of finding the ideal pet. Many mix-breed and purebred dogs are also available in these centers. Ask the adoption center why this dog is up for adoption and is there any problem or disease in his medical history.

Conclusion

The history of your dog will help you in understanding his personality. If the dog was abused or abandoned, it may cause some negative personality changes. But fortunately, this does mean that the dog is not perfect for you; some love and proper training will once again bring your dog to his best behavior.

In the end, the only thing that matters is the bond you share with your dog. So, don’t forget to cherish the time you spent with your newfound friend and to spice up thing in-between.

If you found our guide helpful, let us know in the comments!