Are your children begging you and your spouse to get them a puppy? If so, you must know that owning a dog is a huge responsibility. This is why there are various things that you’ll need to consider before choosing to buy or adopt a dog, especially since it will constantly be around your children, backyard, and house.
And, if you are seriously thinking about making their dreams of having a puppy true, this article might be able to help you. The text below is going to feature a 2024 guide that will tell you exactly how you can choose a specific breed for your family. Let’s take a closer look:
Table of Contents
1. How Large Should It Be?
Generally speaking, small or “toy” breeds are not the best option for families that have kids that are younger than 10. Why you might be wondering? Well, they are extremely fragile, hence, if your kid squeezes it too tight or if it falls from the sofa, it can get seriously injured.
On the other hand, larger races are more suitable for families with small children, however, they might be too rough without realizing it, so, you might want to consider getting a larger one, but, you’ll want it to be a puppy so that it can grow up with your kids. If you live in an apartment, having a large race might not be so convenient.
2. How Much Exercise Does it Need?
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Larger dogs such as Belgian Malinois or Labradors need a lot of space so that they can run, exercise, and play. If your backyard has a fence or if you have time to take your pup out for a walk or a play in the park every day, getting a large dog might be the right option for you and your family members.
People from We Love Doodles recommend you get a smaller dog if you live in an apartment or condo since they’ll need less space for running around. Of course, you’ll need to also take it out for walks since they’ll need a way to get rid of the extra energy. Keep in mind that they might start chewing your furniture or shoes if they do not get enough exercise.
3. How Often Should it Get Groomed?
There is no denying, getting a long-haired dog such as a poodle or Irish setter is extremely cute, however, their coats will need to be groomed often – by a professional. So, if you do not want to spend a lot of money – and time – grooming your dog or taking it to an expert, you should simply get one that has short hair. By doing so, you’ll only be required to groom and bath them occasionally.
4. How Often Will it Shed?
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So matter if you choose a larger or smaller dog or one that has long or short fur, it will definitely shed. It is something natural to all classes and it cannot be avoided in any way. So, if you do not want to spend a lot of time cleaning up hair from your furniture or clothes, there are some races such as border terriers that shed less frequently than others. This means that you should do some digging on what classes shed less often.
5. Consider The Allergic Potential
If you, your spouse, or your children are allergic to dogs, fear not, there are breeds that have hypoallergenic fur, meaning that you can get a dog even if someone in your family has allergies. Schnauzers, for instance, are perfect for such circumstances since they do not produce a lot of dander – which is what actually causes allergic reactions.
6. How Long Will it Live?
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You’ll have your dog for a short period of time, but they’ll have you for a lifetime. Smaller pups usually have a longer life than larger options. You should consider the longevity of your pet if you do not want to have to say goodbye to them when they are little. You should also make sure that they are insured, for more on this, you can visit Bivvy.com. Make sure you are aware of any health complications your breed might encounter and provide them with the best care possible, do some research on what breeds tend to live longer than others.
7. What Temperament Will it Have?
Trust me when I say this, the characteristics of a specific breed can be various, so, ensure that you do your homework when it comes to the temperament of a specific dog. Think about where it comes from, the environment and climate it is accustomed to, as well as what needs it will have. Some pups might enjoy having their own area while others love to stay in the house among their owners.
8. How Difficult is it to Train A Specific Breed?
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Last on our list, but not least important is the training it will need. For instance, some breeds such as Labradors have an instinct to be compliant and they learn fast. However, some breeds are extremely difficult to train. So, if you want your furry friend to be compliant and to know certain commands, ensure that you can train them easily and efficiently.
Bonus Tip – It Will Be a Major Responsibility
Before concluding this article, it is worth mentioning that having any dog breed will be a major responsibility. You’ll need to walk them, play with them, feed them, groom them, as well as train them, which are all things that will take a lot of time to do. What does this mean for you? Well, you’ll want to teach your kids about what they’ll need to do, and before getting a dog for them, ensure that they’ll actually take proper care of it.
Conclusion
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As you can see, there is a wide range of things that you’ll need to think about and determine before you go to a pet shop or shelter to get a dog. However, by doing so, you’ll definitely choose a breed that will suit your children, yard, and home, and you won’t have any problems with training it.
So, now that you know what you’ll need to carefully think about and consider, you might not want to waste any more of your time. Instead, you should go back to the beginning of the article and go through it once again in order to choose a dog breed that will suit your needs.
