5 Things You Should Consider Before Choosing a Dog Breed
As of March 30, 2022 there are 197 dog breeds recognized by the AKC. That’s a lot of breeds! With so many choices, choosing the perfect dog breed to fit your lifestyle can be tricky. There is a lot to consider from size, to temperament, to activity level to determine which breed of dog will be the right fit. Today, I’m sharing 5 things you need to consider when choosing the right dog breed for you.
Size
Dogs range in size from 3 pounds to 250 pounds so the possibilities are (basically) endless when it comes to picking a dog breed based on size. When choosing what size dog will best suit your lifestyle, it’s important to consider how much dog you can really handle.
Contrary to popular belief, smaller dogs don’t necessarily need less space. In fact, some of the best “apartment dogs” are Great Danes, which is a giant breed! Meanwhile, the rat terrier, which rarely gets above 25 pounds, needs a lot of exercise and room to run around.
Things to consider when choosing a dog breed based off of size is how much money you want to spend feeding (the bigger the dog, the more money spent on food) and whether or not you’ll be able to control a large dog breed on a leash.
Think about your travel habits. Do you plan to fly with your dog a lot? Then a small breed will likely be the better choice. But if you want a dog who will make you feel safe when you’re alone at night, a larger breed is the way to go.
Activity Level
This one should be pretty obvious but it is unfortunately frequently overlooked. Working in the veterinary field, I often times see people adopting active dog breeds because they’re “pretty” but then neglecting to exercise them at all. These dogs then suffer and are often rehomed for being “too crazy”.
Activity level is one of the most important characteristics of a breed that you should research before adopting or buying a dog. It’s unfair to an active dog to be forced to live in a home with no yard or any other form of exercise.
If you’re really into hiking, want to get into dog sports, or plan on taking your pup on lots of adventures then an active breed such as an Australian Shepherd would make a great choice! However, if you just want a dog to snuggle on the couch with and go on the occasional neighborhood stroll, choose a low energy dog such as an English Bulldog.
Temperament
One of my least favorite phrases in the dog world is “no bad dogs, just bad owners”. The term “bad” is subjective, however, there are dog breeds that are genetically going to be reactive, stubborn, or even aggressive regardless of how they were raised.
Genetics play a huge role in a dogs behavior and therefore behavior characteristics of dog breeds should be heavily researched before you get a dog. If you are not prepared to handle a dog reactive dog, then a Pit Bull probably isn’t your best choice. If you don’t want a dog that barks a ton, stay away from Beagles. And if you want a dog who’s easy to train and eager to please, trust me when I say a Siberian Husky is not going to be your breed.
Grooming Needs
Basic grooming such as nail trims and baths are going to be necessary for all dogs, regardless of breed. However, certain dog breeds require much more frequent and detailed grooming than others.
Before choosing a dog breed consider these grooming requirements:
- How much a breed sheds
- How frequent haircuts will be needed
- How often you’ll need to brush them
- Are they prone to bad dental health
- Can the grooming be done at home or will you have to pay a professional
If you aren’t prepared to shell out hundreds of dollars every month for trips to the groomer then don’t get a Poodle and if you don’t want to spend any amount of time brushing your dog then choose a short coated pup.
You’ll also need to plan for shedding as all dog breeds shed at least a little bit. Hypoallergenic dog breeds such as the Bichon Frise and Basenji are going to shed a lot less than a Labrador retriever or a Great Pyrenees.
And dental health is a huge grooming expense that you’ll need to consider. Dog dental disease is one of the most common diseases in the canine world. Brushing your dogs teeth, feeding them a good diet, and giving them bones to chew are great ways to keep their teeth in good shape. However, smaller dog breeds are prone to bad dental health and are going to need more frequent professional dental cleanings than a large dog.
Health Concerns
Just like a dogs breed genetics will play into their temperament, genetics also play into a dogs health. All dog breeds have different health issues that they’re prone to based on their genes. Before settling on a breed, research the health issues that come along with them so that you are prepared should your pup be affected later on.
Some of the most popular dog breeds and their health concerns include:
- Labrador retrievers and obesity
- German Shepherds and hip dysplasia
- Poodles and chronic ear infections
- Bulldogs and respiratory problems
- Beagles and epilepsy
- Boxers and cancer
- Dachshunds and back problems
Regardless of what breed your dog is, they’re at risk of at least one health issue. For some of these breeds these health issues can be controlled (labs and obesity for example can be controlled with diet and exercise) but for others they’re out of our control (boxers and cancer).
Be sure you’re well aware of any major health concerns with your dogs breed and have money saved or pet insurance so that you’ll be prepared to deal with it when/if the time comes.
There are pros and cons to every dog breed but luckily with so many to choose from, there’s a good fit for everyone. What are some things you considered when choosing a dog breed?