How to Choose the Best Dog for Your Family

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There are a variety of tips and advice on selecting a pet that can make your decision a bit easier. These can include things like what kind of pet you are looking for, your budget, your children’s personalities, and so on. There are literally hundreds of breeds and types of pets. It is hard to know exactly which dog will be best for your family, but you can take steps to ensure that you do find what you are looking for. In fact, you will probably have to have more than one animal for the foreseeable future. It will be up to you to decide which pet would be best suited for the family.

Size

First, you need to decide if you want to get a pet that is small or large. If you plan on getting a large animal such as a German shepherd or other big breed dog, be sure to take their personality into consideration. You will also need to think about the environment where the animal will live, and consider any special needs of the animal may have. This will allow you to make a decision that is appropriate for your family and your lifestyle. Bigger dogs will need to be taken outside quite often as they typically have more energy than smaller dogs as well.

• Toy – dogs up to 12 pounds
• Small – dogs between 12 and 25 pounds
• Medium – dogs between 25 and 50 pounds
• Large – dogs between 50 and 100 pounds
• Extra Large – dog over 100 pounds

While there are certainly drawbacks to having a large animal, there are many advantages. A large dog can become an integral part of the family. They can provide protection from intruders and keep children and other family pets safe. Larger dogs are generally very smart so they can be very helpful and easier to train sometimes.

Shedding

All dogs shed to some extent so you should make sure that no one in your family has severe allergies to fur before committing to any breed. You can also look into dogs that have hair such as shih tzus, maltese, and yorkshire terriers among other breeds. This will ensure there is less hair around your home although they will still naturally shed the same as humans shed their hair. Regardless of what dog breed you choose, there are ways to reduce the amount of dog fur around your home such as looking into Miele vacuums or a roller pet hair remover. As long as you are on top of cleaning up after your pets, your home should stay very clean.

Living Conditions and Space

Some small animals will do well in apartments, but most animals will need a large area that they can roam and play in. This depends on the breed that you choose. Dog breeds such as a Husky, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, or Collie will need a large area to enjoy in the backyard and run around in. They will also need a very large crate and will eat more food than smaller animals. Make sure that your home is large enough to house a larger dog as well. Everyone in your home should feel comfortable and not feel that they do not have their own space. If you do have a smaller home or yard, be sure to get a smaller dog that will fit in and enjoy how much space there is.

Personality

When it comes to choosing a family pet, the best way to choose a pet is by considering what type of personality is best for your life situation. In general, you want to choose a family pet based on how they will interact with your family members and other animals in the household. Do you have small children? How much time and attention do they need? How often will you be at home? How many other pets do you have? Do those pets typically get along with other animals? Answering these questions beforehand will greatly help you decide what traits you want in your family pet. You can look up traits that breeds usually have online such as the following list;

• Independent dogs – Basset Hound, Beagle, Poodle, Greyhound, Bernese Mountain, Shiba Inu, Korean jindo, Cairn Terrier, Akita, Siberian Husky
• Introvert dogs – Basenji, Irish Wolfhound, Norwegian Lundehund
• High-energy dogs – Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Shetland Sheepdog, Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd
• Lap dogs –  Bichon Frise, Tibetan Spaniel, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu
• Lazy dogs – Saint Bernard, Basset Hound, Chow Chow, Shih Tzu
• Quiet dogs – Basenji, Borzoi, Shih Tzu

Small dogs can be a great addition to a family because they tend to get along with children and other animals, and their small size makes them easy to maintain. Some breeds may require a lot of grooming and playtime. New pets also require a lot of extra patience and attention from their owners as they adapt to their new forever home. 

Budget

Dogs typically cost between $100 and $150 per month. This can really add up especially if your dog ever has health problems. It is important to make sure that you will be able to afford taking care of your pet. After all, they will be spending their entire life with you. They deserve a loving and comfortable home where all of their needs will be met. You should also think about additional costs that might be unexpected that come with owning a dog. If you don’t think you will be able to afford that every month, consider getting a different type of pet that costs much less such as a fish, hamster, or bird.

Being a dog owner is a big responsibility. Doing your research will help reduce the chances of picking a dog breed that is not a good fit. Do your best to find the best dog for your family so that everyone will be happy in your home. Taking the time to study what type of breed and what size of dog will be best for you will greatly benefit you in the end. You will love having a fun and loving family pet to enjoy.