Perhaps you know that you really want a dog and that you’re in the right stage of life to offer a warm and welcoming home – but you don’t know what breed is going to be the best for you and your family.
Photo by Rico Van de Voorde on Unsplash
Some dog breeds, while beautiful, aren’t tolerant of small children and other animals. And others, even with a small stature, are prone to making enough noise to keep the neighbors awake.
Space
Perhaps your heart says that the dog breed that you really want is a Great Dane, but your house spaces say you can have a Yorkshire Terrier. The size of the living space the dog will have access to is ultimately a dealbreaker for many different breeds.
If you know that the dog could fit in the apartment or studio – but that it would be a case of wagging tails hitting the furniture – then some extra consideration is required.
Also, keep in mind how you and your dog will get from the street to your apartment – is it stairs or a lift. Bigger dogs tend to have joint problems, and if you aren’t planning on moving, the stairs could be a big issue.
Will the dog have access to its own place to sleep and relax? Dogs need space to stretch and be alone just as much as humans.
Cost
Dogs come with a lot of costs. The initial purchase price, ongoing vet bills, dog insurance, feeding and comfort, and many toys!
Your budget might be able to stretch to feeding a medium-size dog, but large breeds and giant dogs are big eaters with big appetites, and that can be out of your budget.
Choose a dog that fits your budget.
Active
If you love to go running six times a week, hiking monthly, and your morning starts with a long walk, then you can choose one of the more active breeds.
If you’re more of a homebody and like to go for one slow stroll a day, then you need to find a breed that can work with that type of activity level.
Combining a high-energy dog and a couch-potato owner is a recipe for disaster. It means that a naturally high-energy dog will need to work out its energy in other ways. That could be chewing furniture, jumping around, being unsettled, pacing, and when they do finally get out – they can pull more than usual.
When doing research, be honest about how much you want to walk and how active you are now. Avoid assuming that having a dog will get you up and out.
Age
Older dogs come with a lot of perks! Sometimes they have been trained, chipped, spayed, or neutered and are more relaxed.
Puppies can be a lot of hard work, and it takes a few years before you get into that settled older dog phase. An older dog’s personality and medical history are known (or guessed by a vet).
It is worth keeping in mind that while older dogs can be wonderful family pets, often older dogs are recommended to only be with one person, a couple, or those with much older children.
No matter what breed you choose, you’re going to want your dog to have the best, and here are some great bedding options: PET BEDS: STYLISH FURNISHINGS FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT « THE FRUGAL MATERIALIST | Interior Design for Less