The Smart Owner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Dog Breed
Loyal, loving and intelligent, dogs really are ‘man’s best friend’. Research has shown that getting a pet dog can actually help you to live longer, and life is just a bit more fun with a dog around. If you’re looking to bring one of these furry friends into your home, it’s important you choose a breed that fits in with your lifestyle and schedule. In this week’s article, we’ll be giving you tips and tricks to help you choose which breed to get.
It’s all about personality
Each dog has its own unique personality- just like us! Research suggests that human psychology is heavily influenced by genetics. In the same way, a dog’s general temperament is often determined by a mix of both nature and nurture.
Certain dog breeds are closely aligned to particular behavioural traits, so keep this in mind when you’re choosing a dog breed. For example, terriers tend to be energetic and require a lot of stimulation. On the other hand, greyhounds tend to be calm, quiet and well-mannered indoors, though they love to chase things as well.
It is important to remember however, that how a dog is raised, trained and socialised as a puppy will also heavily influence their behaviours and traits as an adult.
What’s your lifestyle like?
Your new dog will be coming to live with you, so it’s important that they fit into your lifestyle. Of course, daily exercise is a must for every dog, but are you looking for a highly active dog to suit your active lifestyle? Or would you prefer a dog that’s happy to just sit with you on the couch? You also need to consider size, grooming requirements and how well the dog may interact with children or strangers.
Choosing a dog breed may seem like a daunting task, but there are all kinds of breeds out there (both big and small) to suit many different lifestyles. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a self-sufficient dog breed; owning any kind of dog comes with certain responsibilities and all dogs require regular healthcare, a nutritious diet, exercise, mental stimulation and of course lots of love from their owner.
If you’re unsure about which breed of dog would be the best fit for your family, Vets in Endeavour Hills are always on hand to provide professional advice. Get in touch with us today by calling (03) 9700 2264 for more information.
