Choosing the right dog for your home

If you’ve been thinking getting a dog for your home, choosing the breed that is right for you and your lifestyle, can be difficult. Different breeds have different needs, so it’s really important to think about what type of dog might be a good fit for your current life situation. There are many factors to consider when choosing a dog, such as size, age, temperament and exercise requirements.

As the owner of a dog, it is your responsibility to ensure that you can offer a safe and healthy environment for their needs.

Choose the right breed

Choosing the right dog for your home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, so it’s vital that you do your research. You need to know what type of animal will work best with your lifestyle, and if you have other pets at home. You also need to be aware that all animals require an enormous commitment of time and energy. Taking care of an animal is not something you should take on lightly either.

More often than not, people who choose the wrong dog for them are left with no option but to put them back into the adoption cycle; involving friends, family or in worse case scenarios giving them up to an animal shelter.

Consider the following when searching for your perfect pooch.

Energy levels

Dogs are a great addition to any family. They love unconditionally and provide a sense of security for their owners. A dog’s energy level is something that should be considered when picking the perfect pup. A dog will have a big impact on your lifestyle. Whether you have an active lifestyle or prefer to spend your days at home, make sure you choose the right dog for what you need.

• What type of dog do you want? Do you need an energetic playmate for your children, protection for your home, a friend to accompany you on walks, training for a specific purpose or as an emotional support animal.
• How much time do you have to commit to exercise every day?
• Do you have the financial resource to employ the services of a dog walker if necessary?
• Do you have access to space that will provide enough space to exercise your pooch properly?
• Does you’re day-to-day schedule allow you to provide enough time to be there with them enough to keep the happy?

Size and Space

Think carefully about the suitability of your home for the breed of dog you are thinking of bringing home. A small house, or flat would not be the idea environment for certain breeds. Even the calmest and smallest of dogs need their own space and to be able to move from room to room freely. You should think about size too, although smaller might appear better; small dogs that are very active (such as Jack Russell terriers or Cocker Spaniels) will required a lot of space around the home.

Consider if you’ve got children around the home

Human treatment and nurturing of dogs has a huge impact on the personality of the dog. The way the dog is treated and trained can determine how aggressive or timid they are, how well they listen and how well they interact with others.

If you’ll be bringing a dog home that will to be around small children. You will need to give some thought to not only the dog’s natural characteristics; but also the level of energy that the children can display.  This is important because dogs that are high energy will be too much for some children; and vice versa some dogs will be timid and scared around children too. It’s a good idea to know the dog’s personality and temperament, as well as the child’s age and level of experience with dogs.

Until you know your dog inside and out you should not leave them around children. When you start with a puppy, you do have the ability to help develop the dog’s personality from a young age so they’re adapted to children from the onset. If you’re not going down the puppy route; you will never know exactly what an older dog has been through.

Wrapping everything up

If you’re thinking about getting a new dog, it’s important to do plenty of research upfront. You want to find the right dog for your lifestyle and personality. There are many breeds out there so it’s important to do your research. Take your time before making a decision. Once you’ve found the perfect pup, it’s important to make them feel at home in their new home.

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