Buying a new pet, especially a dog can be very exciting. It is worth considering your lifestyle choices and those who live with you before choosing a dog breed. Choosing any family pet may depend on several factors which must be taken into account. Perhaps the most important question is: are you prepared to take good care of the animal and treat it accordingly?
If the answer to the above question is yes, the next step is to decide the reason you would like a dog. There can be many reasons such as protection, as a pet for a child, as a show dog or simply for the sake of companionship. This is an important factor in choosing the correct breed.
After that you should consider your living circumstances as many of the other decisions will depend on this. You should consider the area in which you live: do you live in the town or countryside? This can limit how often and where you can take a dog for walks. Next you should consider the size of your house: do you have ample space for the new dog to cohabit with the owners and any existing pets? Does your house have a garden where the creature can play or rest? It is also worth thinking about how often the pet will be left alone each day. If you are going for an expensive rare breed this will obviously have to be very limited; however on the flipside if you decide to choose a big energetic dog then you still may not be able to leave it alone for extended periods.
Another side of lifestyle considerations is the associated costs with raising a pet. Ideally you should have a budget for basic needs such as foods and cleaning products. You should also take into account the possibility of other events happening. For example a situation may arise where you will need to leave the dog with somebody for an extended period of time on a paid basis. You should also think about health costs and possible veterinary services. A limited budget also means that your ability in choosing specially bred dogs may be more limited. However this should not stop you from being able to find a good pet.
Pets like human beings require attention and care. To many people their dog is a normal member of the household. Dogs must be given regular exercise and training to keep them active and in a healthy state. They must have necessarily health checks and be given essential vaccinations. Taking the dog down to the park for a walk is something you should fit into your weekly schedule.
Once you have acknowledged the extent of your lifestyle and your ability in raising a pet, it is time to decide the type of breed. The first thing to think about is the size. Make sure to discuss this with other members of the family as this is a big limitation on what breed of dog you may choose. Do you really have enough space for a German Shepard? Or are you prepared to deal with small Chihuahuas running around the house and having to look for them from time to time?
Perhaps one of the most underestimated things about any pet is the aging of the animal. Animals have a different lifespan to human beings. The reason that this is important is as important as buying the pet in the first place. Considering many people buy dogs for company, a family can very easily become attached to the animal. The pet becomes a ‘member’ of the family. For many people loosing a pet can be as shocking as loosing a very close relative.
Once you have planned and taken into account all factors, its time to make the exciting trip down the pet store or going to see a few dogs with other family members. Then you can hopefully make a decision as to who you would like to welcome to your house as new member.
Dave Markel
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/choosing-a-dog-breed-3878.html
What do people often forget to consider when choosing a breed?
What should people consider why starting to choose a breed?
What is often overlooked when people fall in love with a breed? Does this generally happen because people don’t consider it at all, or because they think they can make the dog adapt to it because they really want the breed even though it isn’t a good fit?
What were some of the worst breed choices you have seen people make?
The biggest mistake is that people pick a breed because of the look..If your a person who doesnt exercise then your not going to want a high strung dog like a weimaraner…If you run your not going to want a tiny dog…it comes to commen sense and researching the breed….
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I think people tend to choose dogs on looks alone, without taking into consideration what the dog was bred to do.
We encountered an older lady with a rat terrier puppy that was bewildered by the fact that her dog was "testy." Well, rat terriers were bred to hunt and kill vermin – specifically, rats. They NEED to be testy. My guess is she was looking for a cute little dog that could be a lap dog. While rat terriers can be cuddly, they’re also feisty.
Same issue with dachshunds, which were bred to hunt badgers.
The dogs that are referred to as hunting dogs, on the other hand, don’t really hunt – they fetch what YOU hunt. They tend to be gentler and have sweeter dispositions.
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Owner of a Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, and Rat Terrier.
Energy level is often overlooked when people buy a dog, or people think that the dog with lose the excess energy, but they don’t.
My cousin had a large Akita adopted from a shelter in a small apartment house that he shared with other people. The yard was teeny and the dog was tied to the porch at all times that it was outside, which was almost all of the time. She truly was a sweetie but she bit someone walking by the house one day and had to be put down.
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How incredibly lazy most American’s are.. Would be the most common.
Getting a Mal because they’re beautiful doesn’t exactly mesh with the 350 pounds overweight man, that lives in an apartment.
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You should consider how much time, energy, and money you are willing to spend taking care of a dog.
The worst mistake someone can make is choosing a breed based on looks alone. They often don’t stop to consider common health problems, energy levels, exercise & grooming needs, etc.
I’ve seen many people buy huskies or similar breeds because they’re "beautiful", not stopping to consider that these are very high-energy dogs. Often the dog will get bored, not getting enough exercise, and become destructive. Since the owner is unable to deal with them, they are often confined to the backyard, or dumped at an animal shelter.
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When I chose my dog, I researched it carefully. The main thing I looked for was the health problems with certain breeds. That was important to me. I was also concerned with their temperament. That probably is the most important thing that people overlook. They fall in love with the look, and forget to consider if it is the right choice for them. I think the worst choice I’ve seen people make is getting a border collie and then expect it to be happy being in the house or enclosed in a fence. That is abuse for a breed like that. People need to look into breeds that suit their personality and situation.
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exercise or grooming requirement.
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The most overlooked would be the dog’s energy level, grooming needs and basic breed characteristics.
It’s appalling to me that people think they can keep a breed like a german shepherd or border collie in an apartment. Or think a dog like a lab is good with a half hour walk a day.
My pet peeve is people who buy a gorgeous, long-haired breed (afghans come to mind!), then keep their hair cut short because they’re too bloody lazy to groom the dog.
Then there’s those who are dismayed because their terriers dig and bark, their beagles bay, etc.
Too many people in this world of instant gratification are lacking the common sense to research a breed before getting it – then when they find they can’t groom, train or exercise it, the dog ends up in a shelter.
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I agree with others that it is energy level/ exercise requirements. People seem to get dogs based on looks or their (often small) size and don’t take into any consideration how much exercise that dog needs.
I read questions often when people complain about their wild crazy dogs that are getting no exercise or are just left in the yard to entertain themselves. People just seem to be getting lazier and lazier. I love going for long walks with my dog. Since I got him I have lost 11 pounds just from our daily walks.
These people in my apartment complex got a Border Collie. I don’t know where they got it from since no good breeder would allow one to go in an apartment, and I doubt a shelter would either. I walk my dog all the time and I have never seen them out walking (or running like he needs) this dog. I feel bad for the dog.
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They should consider the dogs lifestyle..as in.
If they are not home all the time or are lazier they should get a great dane/st bernard/greyhound etc.
BUT
if theyre active all the time then a lab or pitbull would be good.
People often over look the dogs beauty for what the dogs temperment and lifestyle is really like.
I havnt seen any but im sure there are zillions out there! It would be a mistake of me to get a lab or something because im not very active.
Thats why I onw a dane/saint and even she needs some exercise.
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"What do people often forget to consider when choosing a breed?"
Reality.
"What should people consider why starting to choose a breed?"
Reality.
"What is often overlooked when people fall in love with a breed?"
Reality.
"Does this generally happen because people don’t consider it at all, or because they think they can make the dog adapt to it because they really want the breed even though it isn’t a good fit?"
Ignorance of the actual requirements. Or, denial of requirements. They think that THEY can adapt to the dog’s activity level. The ‘it’ll be ok’ thought outweighs the ‘wow, this might be too much’ thought.
"What were some of the worst breed choices you have seen people make?"
I’ve seen full time work families with 3 screaming boys under 8 and an Italian Greyhound.
I’ve seen Shelties with dual working familes who are upset that the dog barks and then crate it 12-18 hours a day.
I’ve seen an extremely high strung standard poodle with someone who doesn’t have the time to properly train it.
I’ve seen Siberian Huskies in 100+ degree weather with no AC.
I’ve seen a Siberian Husky PUPPY as an outdoor dog in a home with no fence and owners gone all the time – a block from a very busy street.
I’ve seen an American Bulldog puppy in a home with a working husband and a mom with 3 girls under 5.
I’ve seen a puppy mill Bichon Frise in a family of 7 with a full time schedule for the kids and a dad who hates animals and is incredibly violent.
I could go on and on and on.
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I have not seen anyone unhappy with their dog breed choice, but some common features of a dog are sex, how big they get, where they do best, and how much care is needed.
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10 Tips on How to Pick
the Right Dog for Your Lifestyle!
By Dorothy Belle Poli
1. Do your research! Read about the different breeds’ needs.
Food requirements,
Activity levels,
Aggression potentials,
Possible health risks,
Heat/cold tolerance
2. Do you have children? Stick with breeds that are known to do good with kids (labs, golden retrievers, average mutt) rather than the "pretty" or "tougher" breeds.
3. What is your family’s energy level? You want a dog that will "fit into" your home rather than one that will be bored or over-stimulated (runners = labs, couch potato = larger breeds).
4. Homes with less land should stay away from working breeds (cattle dogs, terriers, shepherds, border collies) since these dogs tend to need more outside exercise to be happy inside the house.
5. If you do not have a fenced in yard, are you willing to walk the breed you choose as often and as far as they may need?
6. Shedding vs. non-shedding: most dogs shed. It is a fact of life. Some breeds with hair rather than fur shed less (like poodles, wire-hair terriers) but the hair is still there!
7. Dogs and Cats: Some breeds will be more prone to chasing the family cat (hounds, labs, working breeds). So, if you have other animals, consider the new dog’s personality PRIOR to bringing him/her home.
8. If interested in large or giant breeds, know that their activity levels are not necessarily higher. These dogs behave like most dogs but their actions seem more extreme do to their size.
Will your child be knocked over easily?
Can you control an animal this size on a leash if they lunge or chase a squirrel?
9. If interested in small or toy breeds, know that they tend to be more fragile and may nip if afraid.
Will your child accidentally fall on or hurt the dog?
10. Be realistic and prepare for the worst! Many dogs are given up because their owner’s had unrealistic expectations for them. Chewing, destruction of the back yard and other random chaos is part of the process; most behaviors are fixable, but you must be willing to take the time and be patient!
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http://www.cara-adopt.org/ADOPTED/howtopick.html
I agree with several others here, as
reality
what the breed was bred for
temperament
energy level/exercise needs
and that humans are incredibly lazy physically and mentally
will add, which is a combo of above but worded differently:
People do not consider their own abilities/knowledge/time as a dog owner and dog trainer to be able to handle any dog let alone particular breeds of dogs.
Particularly people who are jumping on the band wagon to rescue pitt bulls with no knowledge of dogs whatsoever. (yeah, yeah, slam me)
….just recently a shelter that adopted out a large LabX puppy to an elderly woman in her 70s!!!!
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people tend to think about how cute the dog is like baby Great Dane’s or baby Bernards and dont realize that they grow to huge dogs! Dont go for cuteness research but getting a lil great dane puppy that grows bigger than they ever thought! Go to the 1rst and second web sites to see the puppy then go to the second and see a dane full sized!
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http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=great+dane+puppy+vs+great+dane&gbv=2
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=great+dane+on+hind+legs&btnG=Search+Images