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Choose the Best Dog For Your Family
Choose the Best Dog For Your Family
By Kevin Lynch
Choosing a dog to become your family's pet may seem like an easy task. There are so many that you can choose from whether you go to the shelter to adopt or you contact a breeder. The fact is that unless you adopt a full-grown animal you will need to do some research because every single puppy in the world is absolutely adorable and it is way too easy to fall in love with a puppy.
But puppies grow up to be full-grown adults and the adult dog is the one who is going to be your pet for many years to come. You need to think about what you are looking for in a pet and make sure that the breed that you choose fits those needs and wants.
Think about your household and any limitations you may have. A smaller house of an apartment may be better for a smaller animal while a house with a large fenced yard will work better for a bigger one. Also consider time constraints, if you are not home for hours at a time because of work and school you probably do not want a dog that needs a great deal of companionship. Ideally the best solution is when you, your family and your pet are all happy and content.
Learn about the different breeds available. The breed often determines the temperament and personality. Some breeds are loving and playful and love everyone in the household equally. Other breeds are one-owner type dogs and they will pick their favorite from the people in the house. If you have a family that is definitely something you will want to take into consideration.
You will also want to consider if you want a purebred or a mixed breed or a "mutt". Mutts tend to have strong health and often they make wonderful and loving pets but a purebred can also be a great pet and you will basically know what traits he will have and his probable health concerns beforehand.
There are also many "designer hybrids" that you can get right now like the Poogle's, which are a cross between a poodle and a beagle, the Pugalier's, which are a cross between a Cavalier Spaniel and a Pug, and numerous others, most with really fun names. The designer hybrids are typically bred from a purebred of one breed and another purebred from a different breed.
As you are looking at breeds take into consideration the personality of that type of dog. Will it fit with your family? If you family is more laid back a hyperactive pet may not fit very well and conversely, if your family is young and rambunctious you may not want an animal that is laid back and won't play. Get a pet whose personality is like your family's personality.
Whether you go to the shelter and adopt or contact a breeder you need to get a dog that will fits your family's personality and lifestyle. Getting a pet is a commitment and you want to give it enough thought so that both you and your dog are happy for many years to come.
Kevin Lynch is a devoted dog lover who teaches dog obedience training in the southwestern part of the United States. If you are interested in the best ways house training your puppy then check out the articles by this professional dog-trainer.
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How to Choose the Right Dog
How to Choose the Right Dog
By Rebeca Rambal
You might think that deciding whether to adopt a dog or not is the toughest part. However, wait till you get to the shelter! You'll realize that it choosing a dog is harder. With so many little adorable four-legged fur-balls and puppy-eyes around, you just won't know which one to take home! They come in so many shapes and sizes and each of them has one adorability factor or another and it can just get to be too much. It would be really unfair, incorrect actually, to say that one breed is better than other, especially in a shelter, where any one of the dogs could be a treasure. What is actually of essence is to see which dog would be better for your specific situation, needs and limitations. Therefore, the following points might help:
1. Understand your limitations
Understanding your constraints as an owner is the first step. This is more important than deciding which dog looks cutest. Let's say you live in condo or an apartment, in which case you would want a dog that is small and can do without much daily exercise. If you have a large house with a backyard, then almost any breed will work fine. Think about your time commitments, the other members of the household, even your social life will decide which personality, breed and size will work for you.
2. Learn about different breeds
The breed of the dog considerably influences his personality, behavioral traits and physiology - and you need one that matches your considerations. Essentially there are two basic classifications: pure breeds and mixed breeds. Purebred dogs come from a family of same breeds and thus it is easier to know for sure what traits he will display and what his health might be like. With a mixed breed, the parental lineage could include just about any dog. These breeds tend to be genetically more sound, and often show very good health when cared for well. Also, you get the qualities of various dogs in one. Of course some people prefer pure breeds for the certain snob value they hold, but after all, it's all about who wins your heart.
3. Visit the shelter
Once you have some idea about the different breeds, a visit to the shelter will prove beneficial. Now, a shelter is not exactly the best place for a dog and most of the time the dog will not be himself. Therefore first impressions could be wrong. It is good to have an adoption counselor by your side as you walk through or a volunteer who might be able to give you a better insight into the dog's personality and help you make a decision. Insist on spending sometime alone with a few dogs that you might like and consider the following:
Age: A younger puppy is usually desired since it is easier to habituate a pup to your home and lifestyle. However, puppies also require some training - especially toilet training and general obedience training. Older dogs, on the other hand, are already trained by their owners which would be saving you some effort. However, they might also posses certain habits that don't go down well with you and it's hard to change that with older dogs. Decide depending on your lifestyle
Size: Think if you want to be able to take your pet along often, in which case you need a smaller kind. However, if you have young kids, the smaller dogs are not the most appropriate. Again, check your breed characteristics.
Personality: Dogs are usually shy and quiet or assertive and active. If you like some peace and quiet, then a terrier who barks his head off at any new thing may not be for you. But if you like jogging, running around parks or have active kids, then an active retriever will suit you just fine
Social disposition: Depending on their past experiences with people, certain dogs are very picky about social interaction. They will just not let anyone but their owner touch them and could turn quite hostile if someone intrudes on their privacy. Therefore, try to find out a little about the dog's background to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Most dogs however, tend to be social and very friendly. Take a look at the dog's history and discuss his general behavior with the counselor or volunteers and you will have an idea how good he is with people.
Usually, if a dog's previous owners were unkind to him, or even violent, the dog might be untrusting of all people. Although such dogs deserve love and care as well, it's up to you to decide if you are in a situation to provide it with the patience that it requires.
A dog will be your best friend for life!
A dog suited to your personality and lifestyle can bring you great joy and fun, and a wrong decision might bring you some inconveniences that shadow on the happy parts. Although all dogs can be your best friends, this is going to be more like a live-in relationship; so you need to be very sure of your compatibility. Trust me, breaking up with your dog can be very painful.
If you want to learn more about adoption and find very useful information about your cats and dogs, please visit me at http://www.yourpetsuniverse.com
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How to Choose the Best Dog For Your Family
How to Choose the Best Dog For Your Family
By Bryan Burbank
Selecting the right breed of dog for you and your family can seen like a difficult task. They all look so cute. But selecting the right one can take some time and effort so you can make the perfect match. A little effort will be well worth while in the end. You may want to read some of the steps below to choose the best dog for you.
First, size is very important criteria. If you live in an apartment or small house you may want a very small dog. If you live in a large house you may have more options a small medium or large dog could work. Many breeds come in different sizes so that offers even more options, especially if you are hooked on a breed.It is not fair to an animal to keep them cooped up in a small space if they are large.
Next, before you choose any breed you should do a lot of reading about the breed so you can become familiar with what the dog will look like as a puppy and when they grow up. You want to know personality traits specific to the breed.
In addition, you want to learn as much as you can about the care a specific breed requires. Grooming, food, vet care. Many breeds develop conditions specific to their breed and it best if you are aware of them up front. You don't want any surprises after you purchase the dog. No one ever wants to have to give a dog back.
Lastly, Make sure no one in your home is allergic to the dog. If you are or are living with an allergic person there are certain breeds that are better. They shed less and cause fewer problems. If you are considering getting a dog, do your homework ahead of time so you can have a lasting loving relationship with your dog.
Get Free: Dog Breed Tips
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Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Animals and Pet Issues
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