So Many Breeds!
Which Breed is Right for You?
When it comes to deciding what breed of dog would mesh best with you and your family, there are a multitude of factors that one should think about before making a decision! These factors include your overall lifestyle and day-to-day schedule, how much extra time you have, the size of your home and yard, your budget, and your willingness to cater toward your pet’s individual needs.
While there is no such thing as a “bad” breed, it is clear that different breeds have different needs, and depending on your personal lifestyle and willingness to adapt, some breeds can be better than others for certain folks. As pet owners and lovers we know that adopting a dog is a serious commitment of time, energy, and money, so choosing the right dog is very important.
At times, people wanting to adopt a dog can get hung up on the aesthetic quality of certain breeds, or feel a certain pride that comes along with owning special breeds. Our best advice would be to try to instead focus on how the breed you choose will be happy, healthy, and add value to your life.
Ask Yourself…
How Active are you? Are you someone that is constantly active and enjoys regular exercise? Or do you tend to be more relaxed and laid back and want a pup that will reflect that?
Do you have children? If so, how old are they? If not, are you planning on it in the near future?
Are you able to fit in the cost of food, toys, gear, grooming, and vet visits?
If you are getting a puppy, how much time and energy do you have to socialize, raise, and train them?
How long are you typically away from home everyday? If you are gone is there someone that would be willing to help you take care of them while you’re away? Are you willing to invest in doggy daycare or hire a walker and/or sitter?
How often do you take trips and vacations? Are you able and willing to bring your pup with you? Are you able to hire a pet sitter or send your pup to a boarding facility?
The answers that you come up with to these questions can be a huge indicator of whether you should have a big or small dog, a more or less active dog, and if dog ownership is something that could fit into your lifestyle in general.
Big Dogs vs. Small Dogs
When it comes to choosing a small versus large breed dog, we have to think about the real differences between the two and how those differences may work with or against us. While all breeds, big and small, need food, water, attention, and exercise, the amount that they need varies incredibly.
More Dog=More Food (and therefore more poop): While for some, this may be the least of their concerns, for others it could be a huge concern! For example, a Chihuahua might eat roughly half a cup of kibble a day, while a German Shepherd might eat roughly 3 cups of kibble a day. This of course also depends on the dogs activity level, but generally speaking, bigger dogs tend to eat a lot more.
For those who are under a tighter budget, a smaller dog may be best to keep the costs of pet care lower. The last thing we want to do is put ourselves in a financial burden trying to correctly care for our new fuzzy friend.
Subsequently, bigger dogs (who eat much more), will give you a larger task of picking up more poop. For some this may not be an issue at all; for others it could be a deal breaker that is not always thought about.
For those with a more flexible budget, this may make no difference when choosing a breed.
More Dog=More Exercise: As a whole, bigger dogs tend to need more exercise than small dogs. If you are someone who does not enjoy being active or has a hard time finding the time for it, it may be best to get a smaller dog. If you are someone who is extremely active and has lots of time for outings, a big dog may be perfect for you.
All dogs of all sizes and breeds NEED physical activity to keep them healthy and happy. However, certain active breeds (and large breeds), require much more effort when it comes to walking, play, and other forms of exercise.
Breeds that are especially active: healers, retrievers, pointers, Weimaraner, collies, cattle dogs, Doberman, and shepherds (amongst many other breeds).
For those looking for an active breed to be their fitness pal, this list of breeds curated by the American Kennel Club can be helpful:
For those looking for a less active dog, consider adopting a senior dog in need!
A Few Beloved Breeds
Small Breeds:
Chihuahua: While these guys don’t always get picked first amongst other breeds, they are actually one of the most loyal and loving breeds out there. They are small buckets of fun and love that will become attached to you in every way. Those who do not want to spend a lot of time exercising their dog will love chihuahuas ability to rest and relax! (Remember all dogs still need regular exercise). Chi’s are also known for their lengthy lifespan for those looking for a long-term companion who will love them deeply throughout their time with you.
Yorkshire/Silky/Scottish/West Highland Terriers: This group of dogs can be called “the best of both worlds,” due to their very playful and spunky demeanor, while also being the perfect lap dog who will be happy to nap and relax with you. These dogs tend to stay under 15 pounds making them perfectly portable! They are also known for their strong devotion to their owners, they will always be your loyal and loving companion. If you choose this breed be ready for lots of fun, play, laughter, and snuggles.
Small Mixed Breed: As stated before, there are thousands of dogs in need of a forever home who could compliment your lifestyle perfectly. Many of these dogs are small mixed breeds who are just as loveable as any pure bred pup. What some people may not realize about these “mutts” is that they tend to have better health, and longer lifespans, than pure bred pups! Their diverse genetic makeup makes it less likely for them to suffer from breed-specific genetic disorders, including lower risk of spinal and bone diseases, heart disease, and even cancer. YAY!
Large Breeds:
Cream & Golden Retrievers: These loveable big dogs are the perfect introduction to taking care of a larger breed. They’re big dogs, however they are not massive and tend to be very manageable compared to many other large breeds. These dogs are fiercely loyal and loving making them the perfect family pet. These dogs can definitely be high-energy and need plenty of play, walking/running, and exercise to maintain their wellbeing. However they can also tend to be extremely cuddly, loving, and sweet dogs that will want to follow you wherever you may go.
Standard Poodles: While we all may know that “doodles” (poodle mixes) are all the rage, what many people may be forgetting is that Standard Poodles are an amazing breed on their own. These dogs are known to be extremely intelligent and easy to train! They are also excellent companions that tend to be independent and enjoy doing tasks and relaxing on their own at times (if you want to avoid a “clingy” pet).
Large Mixed Breeds: Just like small mixed breed dogs, there are an assortment of smart and loving large mixed breed dogs in shelters and rescues that are looking for their forever home! As previously stated, you can be at peace of mind knowing these dogs tend to have generally better health and longer lifespans than pure bred dogs. Also if you are looking for a high-energy exercise buddy there are plenty (such as pit mixes, shepherd mixes, lab mixes) to choose from that would absolutely love to adventure with you. Give them a chance!
Adopting vs. Breeding
While there are many heated debates about shopping for a dog versus adopting a dog, this article is not meant to put down either option because both options can be viable depending on who you are and what you’re looking for. However, generally speaking, there are masses of dogs (and puppies) in shelters these days needing a forever home. With the sheer amount of dogs in need, it is extremely likely you can find a breed that will work well with your lifestyle.
Breeding
Pros:
Possible ability to advance breed by eradicating undesired traits and hereditary diseases.
Responsible breeders tend to encourage responsible owners to keep up with proper diet, exercise, training, and veterinary care.
Puppies from responsible breeders tend to be well taken care of, and adjust easier in their forever home.
Cons:
Not all breeders are responsible and in it for the right reasons. With the rise of back yard breeding, and people wanting “designer” breeds, many puppies and dogs are under the not-so-great care of irresponsible breeders. This can lead to puppies, and dogs used for breeding, to suffer in a host of ways, and can possibly set you up for a challenging time rearing your new puppy.
Can be extremely expensive, and not always for good reason!
There are already thousands of loving dogs and puppies needing a forever home in your local shelters. Every time a dog is bred, it becomes more difficult for a shelter pup to have a chance at happiness.
adopting
Pros:
You are helping one of the thousands of dogs and puppies suffering in shelters find their forever home; therefore making more room for more dogs in need of a place to go.
If you are interesting in adopting an already grown pup, it is much easier to find in a shelter or rescue (most are adult dogs who are likely already spayed/neutered)
It is much more cost efficient, buying a dog from a breeder can be extremely expensive.
Cons:
You are not always able to choose a specific breed you are interested in. While this “con” depends on what shelter or rescue organization you’re looking for, it is true that most shelters have a mix of many different dogs. Most being mixes and “mutts” (which there is nothing wrong with!)
You will have to be a little more patient with your shelter pup, it is likely that they have gone through a lot of hardship during their life and it can take time for them to be comfortable with you and their new home.
Written By: Jessica L Hays
Community Outreach, Social Media, Dog Walking
references
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/puppy-information/what-dog-is-right-for-me/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/best-running-dogs/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/reasons-to-breed/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/small-dog-breeds
https://www.lcah.com/services/dogs/blog/5-reasons-why-mutts-are-great-dog-breeds
