So you’ve decided the time is right to bring a furry addition into your family. It’s understandable to want to scoop up the first pair of soulful eyes you come across, but it’s important to remember that Fido will be part of your household for a decade or more. A little bit of forethought about the characteristics you want in a pooch can help you find a dog that can truly become your four-legged best friend.
1. How active is my lifestyle?
Breeds like American Spaniels and Basset Hounds are perfectly happy with their daily walk and extra time in your lap or the sunny spot on your floor. In contrast, labs, Weimaraners, and herding breeds like Corgis need lots of exercise and outside time to burn off energy. Highly intelligent breeds like border collies and Australia cattle dogs require activities and plenty of attention to keep them out of mischief.
Tip: Dog daycares can help less active families keep high-energy breeds happy and healthy.
2. How well do I tolerate barking?
All dogs can be trained, to some degree, to control their barking, but some breeds are naturally more vocal than others. Ask yourself how well you cope with yips, whines, and howls. Barking or baying is an essential characteristic of many hunting dogs, like bloodhounds. Many smaller breeds, like Dachshunds and terriers, can be very talky around other dogs, in response to perceived threats, or when excited. In contrast, collies and Saint Bernards tend to be more reserved in their barking.
3. How does a breed respond to children?
If you have young children or plan to in the future, it’s important to take that into account when choosing your pet. Some breeds have more tolerance for little humans than others. Golden retrievers are known to be very easy-going and to bond well with younger family members. Boxers also routinely rank high on lists of breeds suited for young families. Conversely, Chihuahuas may be a poor choice as they can be easily injured by an over-enthusiastic cuddle, while chows and greyhounds can get overwhelmed by the noise and activity that comes with toddlers and preschoolers.
4. How much time and money can I devote to grooming?
All dogs require some grooming to stay healthy, but some breeds call for a bit (or a lot) more than others. Short-hairs like hounds and beagles often require little more than a bath, nail clip, and quick brush. Shelties’ thick, two-layer coat needs frequent “line-brushing” to avoid getting matted. And breeds like Bichon Frise and poodles need regular trips to a professional groomer to keep their coat in good shape and to maintain their distinctive look.
5. What about a shelter or rescue dog?
Shelter dogs may lack the pedigree of their pure-bred peers, but they can make a wonderful addition to your family (and give a pup in need the chance of a new life). If you are interested in finding or avoiding certain breeds, shelters may be able to provide an educated guess about a dog’s background. In addition, many volunteer rescue societies only take in dogs of a specific breed.