Dog Guidance Blog

Finding the right breed for your dog is probably the most important choice you’ll make as a prospective dog owner, as the breed determines nearly everything from temperament to health care. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the different characteristics associated with certain breeds of dogs, as well as what you can do to make sure the dog you choose is the right one for you and your living situation.

The best breeds of dogs for your home and family depend on that structure. If you have a large back yard, for example, you could easily support a dog that requires more physical exercise and outdoor time. If you have small children, you may want to try a collie or shepherd, as they are notoriously good with kids, or a Labrador, which are very playful and good-natured. Some factors to keep in mind are your family status, your amount of outdoor space (this could even include nearby parks), and the amount of expensive or irreplaceable objects in your home (a terrier is less likely to destroy that vase your mother gave you than, say, a Rottweiler).

Keeping in mind the different breeds of dogs you’re considering is important when you visit a shelter or pet shop. Once you’ve decided on a set of qualities you want out of your dog, you can look for those qualities in either the different breeds or specific dogs, and knowing the temperament of a given breed will let you know if the dog is behaving strangely. Remember, you can never judge a dog by the way it acts in the kennel, as some dogs may be stressed, sick, or simply depressed.

Choosing the right dog is important, but what is equally important is preparing your home for the different breeds of dog you might find. For example, knowing how tall a dog is or how easily they can climb onto things like countertops and get into things like garbage cans is an important part of getting your house ready for a dog. Hide valuable or fragile objects out of reach, and put things you do want them to chew, like toys and ropes, on the floor or into an easily dog-accessible bucket. This will keep them from destroying things you don’t want destroyed, and will keep them busy with the things they’re supposed to, allowing you to keep you and your dog happy.