Choosing the Right Dog

I would say that the single most emergent issue in the pet dog arena today is a fundamental mismatch between the kinds of dogs people have and their lifestyle.

Often, this is the result of a great deal of good intentions - after all, who wouldn't want a dog to inspire them to exercise more when it's a struggle to get motivated?

Oftentimes, too, the quiet, laid back puppy when you're checking them out at the rescue turns into a whirling dervish four days after they are brought home.

Or, as I have observed in some dogs, they start out sweet and then after a few weeks start pushing boundaries, even to the point of aggression.

So how to avoid being surprised by the dog we bring home?

The most important thing is to avoid indulging impulses. Research thoroughly, carefully, and thoughtfully what kind of dog is going to suit your lifestyle the best. Can there be members of a breed that are atypical for the type? Of course, but breed is a good indicator of what kind of personality, energy level, and demands are going to be made of you.

What about rescues?

Mixed breed dogs are famously difficult to pinpoint in terms of actual phenotype, so you should definitely avail yourself of the concept of "foster to adopt". Most rescues and shelters will gladly let you "try a dog on" for size for several weeks to a month without the commitment of adoption. This lets you get to really know the dog you're planning on spending your next decade or so with, so that you know exactly what you're getting into. Rescue dogs are great but often do come with some baggage that will need to be worked through, so factor that into your plans realistically.

I think that working with a dedicated breeder is a great idea, too - they can listen to your description of what kind of dog you're looking for and let you know if they have the right puppy for you - or not! A breeder that will tell you NO is a breeder you can trust, after all! If they are willing to disappoint you, and pass up the money for a potential puppy, you can rest assured that they hold the welfare of their dogs above even your feelings, and that means they will tell you the truth.

You should definitely plan on training your dog - but if you're worried about being able to properly care of them, aim for a dog that will be easier rather than harder.

Getting into some training with your dog always makes things easier too - your dog trainer is there to help you find the fastest, easiest way for you to live with the dog you have. Sometimes that way is to do a lot of hard work if you choose to take on a dog of an atavistic job type, or particularly athletic or intense temperament.

There are some hard lines in the sand, too. If you have children, having a dog that doesn't like children is something you don't want to play with. If you have an elderly cat, bringing in a dog with extremely high prey drive is really unjust to your poor kitty. Be realistic, understand your limits.

I am a huge fan of toy dogs for this reason - I think the future of dog ownership is in toy dogs. They are typically lower maintenance for exercise, easier to accomodate and feed, and can weather changes in living situations much more easily than larger dogs. They are just as smart, trainable, and loving as larger dogs too.

If you'd like some help picking out a dog that fits your lifestyle, give us a call. We LOVE to help people shop for dogs!