4 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dog Breed

 4 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dog Breed 

Bringing a pet into your life requires more planning than many people think. It doesn't matter whether you need a pet for companionship or specialized tasks; you want to make sure you choose a suitable breed for your environment and lifestyle. It is important to prepare your home before bringing in your new friend, and choosing the right breed is vital for building a harmonious relationship with fewer risks of trouble in the future. Here are four factors to help you find the right dog breed. 

1. Size matters 

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When choosing a dog breed, the size of your living area is one of the most important elements to consider. Do you live in a house or a modest apartment? Do you have enough room for a huge dog, or will your living space only be big enough for a tiny dog? Depending on the breed, it is convenient to have a backyard where your dog can go outside and relieve themselves. Additionally, large breeds such as the Great Danes have other physical concerns. Smaller dogs such as the Chihuahuas may be more susceptible to mishaps or cooler temperatures than larger breeds. 

2. Breed 

Different breeds have unique characteristics. According to the American Kennel Club, seven dog breed groups are herding, hound, working, sporting, non-sporting, terrier, and toy. Every breed has its traits, so it is crucial to determine if they are compatible with yours. For instance, a hypoallergenic dog breed can be a good fit if you are allergic to animal fur. However, you want to ensure their characteristics match the ones you are looking for. Usually, mixed-breed dogs, like an Australian Cobberdog, are supposed to be better versions of their parents due to the combination of desirable characteristics. However, there's no assurance they will have all of the desirable characteristics and no negative ones. You will have to learn what an Australian Cobberdog is and how ideal it can be for you if you are looking for an ideal breed.

3. Costs 

Regardless of size, temperament, or breed, every dog needs various supplies. This may include bedding, food and water bowls, periodic vaccination, crates for traveling, and other grooming supplies. Other potential costs include professional grooming, boarding fees, and licenses. While large breeds may require more feeding expenses, particular breeds may need extensive medical attention, so you want to factor in the financial commitments that come with picking a particular breed before deciding.

 

4. Present lifestyle 

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Taking care of a dog is similar to taking care of a child, particularly if you have a puppy. Some breeds, regardless of age, require time to play and exercise to manage any destructive behaviors. Meanwhile, your occupation may be keeping you away from home for long periods. How much time you spend with your dog is essential for pet care. However, this shouldn't be a biggie if you have other people who can care for your dog in your absence. You must ensure these caretakers are responsible enough for the job. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding a new dog. What matters is that you find the correct dog for you. Whether you want to adopt or buy a dog from a breeder, you should look for a breed that fits your lifestyle and living arrangements.

Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Happy When They're Home Alone

Before we become dog owners, we all have a responsibility to consider the amount of time we’ll be able to dedicate to our canine companions. Unfortunately, even if you’re around a lot of the time, the odd work trip or day out can still see you leaving your dog at home alone.

As many of us find out the hard way, this separation can see even the perfect family dog wreaking havoc at home. From chewed furniture to neighbor noise complaints and beyond, this can make an already difficult separation much harder. However, there are steps you can take to keep your dog happy even while they’re home alone, and we’re going to consider your best options. 

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Provide them with a Safe Space

Dogs are pack animals, and they rely on this pack mentality to face threats. Left alone, your dog may feel exposed, vulnerable, and in need of defensive behaviors, hence they may become destructive or uncharacteristically loud. To avoid this, it’s best to provide them with a generally safe space that they already know and feel relaxed in. Crates are great for this purpose and can even be kept open in any room to provide your dog a go-to safe spot that they know. Equally, leaving them in an area of the house that they spend a lot of time in and that has things like their bed, water, etc. can significantly reduce the impact of separation anxiety, and its overall negative outcomes.

Ensure Plenty of Stimulation

You wouldn’t like to be left at home with nothing to do, and nor would your dog. In fact, boredom is perhaps the leading cause of destructive canine behavior when home alone. To overcome this, it’s therefore important to provide plenty of stimulation for your dog when you aren’t around. Chew toys like Kongs that include puzzles your dog needs to solve can be especially great for this, as can fresh animal chew treats like those from Superior Farms which can last for the entire time you’re away in most instances. Simply experiment with a few different techniques while you’re around, and see which occupies your dog’s attention for the longest time so that you can pick the best option when you are away. 

Get them used to Time Alone

While no dog owner should ever deprive their dog of attention, keeping your pooch happy when they’re home alone is also easiest if you get them used to their own company when you’re around. Obviously, you should never do this to the detriment of playtime or walks, etc., but something as simple as leaving your dog to play in the other room alone while you complete household errands can help them to adjust to the solo life. Then, when you do have to leave, it’ll be far less shocking for a dog that’s already happier in its own company. 

Leaving your dog is never a pleasant experience, but you can at least rest easy that they’ll be happier at home alone when you implement these pointers. 

Have You Just Adopted A Dog? Give Yourself A Big Pat On The Back

 

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Dogs are precious animals. To many of us, they are more than just pets, they’re companions. 

Unfortunately, some dogs can’t find homes. That’s when caring people step in and provide them with a family. 

Is that what you’ve just done? If so, give yourself a big pat on the back. You’re making the world a better place. 

You Might Have Just Saved Their Life

Adopting a dog is about more than providing them with a pleasant home. In fact, in many cases, you could be saving their life. 

Figures suggest that people rescue around a million dogs a year in the US. If it wasn’t for these individuals, shelters would overflow and there would be nowhere to keep them. The only choice would be to put them down, and nobody who cares about dogs wants that. By rescuing a dog, you’re freeing up space for other animals to have a chance to look for a home. 

You’ll Earn A Great Friend

You can also give yourself a nice big pat on the back for getting a new friend. Dogs love people and being around their family. They always want to be in a group. As long as you look after your new pet, they will always be loyal. 

You Can Learn How To Rescue Other Dogs

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Adopted dogs sometimes have checkered pasts. Things haven’t always gone right for them, which is why they wind up in shelters. 

As Nicole Simone of Redemption Paws points out, it can take a lot of work adopting a dog. In many cases, you have to engage in rehabilitation so that the rescued pup can be a happy and healthy animal. 

The first time you do this, it’s a steep learning curve. However, after that, it gets significantly easier. Once you’re on your third or fourth, you know the drill and can rescue dogs much more easily. 

You Just Saved Yourself Some Money

Buying a pedigree pooch as a puppy is expensive, particularly if you go to a well-respected breeder. It’s easy to spend more than $1,000 getting the dog that you want. 

When you adopt, though, it’s pretty much free. Shelters will usually just perform a few background checks, then you’re free to ride off into the sunset with your new dog. Sure, you’ll have to provide food and toys, but the costs of doing so are minimal for most people. 

You’ll Improve Your Own Healthy

Study after study shows that dog owners are healthier than the rest of the population. Not only do they do more exercise, but they also seem less prone to allergies, thanks to the beneficial bacteria and particles that pups bring to the home. 

You Will Change Your Dog’s World

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Lastly, adopting a dog changes their world. They go from a neglectful or abusive life into one full of love and compassion. When you bring them into your home, you are giving them the life that they deserve and making sure that they get the most out of life.