Which dog is right for me?

Before adopting a dog, you always ask yourself “which dog is right for me?”.

And who can blame you?

A lot of things go through the mind of the pet parent to be.

How many times are you going to take the dog to the pet salon, how regularly are you going to walk your puppy?

Jogs or plain leisure walks?

What about spending quality time with your pooch?

The list of questions can go on and on.

It is extremely important to take all of these points into consideration before adopting a pet. These friendly, fur balls are about to be the newest members of your family. It does not do well to initially welcome them into your home only to return them to their previous owners or abandon them in a rescue shelter if things get stressful. Constant changing of homes has a negative impact on young as well as old dogs, as they get easily attached to their new families.

Before your innocent pups experience can turn into a disastrous nightmare, think about your lifestyle, the kind of dog you’re going to adopt and whether or not you think you would manage to devote quality time and care to your dog in order to avoid such a situation.

How do you like to spend your time with your dog?

Just like us, dogs have different temperaments. While some are energetic and hyper others prefer a more quiet, secluded lifestyle. Dogs love spending quality time with owners.

How do you like to spend your time? Do you prefer playing frisbee in the green lawns or cuddling on the couch? A half an hour jog or ten minute leisure stroll?

Certain breeds display a typical type of personality. But you’re always going to find the odd one in the bunch.

It’s best to introduce dogs to your kind of lifestyle right from the very beginning. Take them along for long morning brisk walks and sink your fingers into their soft fur while you read a book on the couch.

How big is your home?

The size of a dog may vary right from a tiny chihuahua to a pony sized mastiff.

Just like children, when pups aren’t sleeping, they too want to play around all the time. Tug-Of-War and Dog-and-the-Bone require space, enough for you and your dog to run and jump around without anybody getting bruised.

Measure the length and space of your home and accordingly bring a puppy into your house. While smaller dogs adjust easily to small apartments or big homes, larger dogs tend to feel claustrophobic and homebound in smaller apartments.

Homes with large green backyards are ideal to all dogs, especially big sized dogs. It doesn’t matter if you don’t live in a two storey mansion, you can always let your pooch run free at the dog park.

Are there other members of your home?

If you have older people or children living with you at home, you need to consider adopting a dog with the appropriate temperament.

While it’s great to train dog to guard and be loyal only to the immediate members of the family, you may want to put off such vigorous, intense trainings, at least till your children get older.

Are you swamped with a daily list of to-dos, right from 6 o’clock morning walk with your old parents to packing the children’s lunch box, doing the entire family’s laundry and preparing supper for the evening as well?

When dealing with a large family, having a high maintenance dog will only add to your list of daily to dos.

Consider adopting a mutt from a rescue shelter to ease your worries. These so called ‘mixed breeds’ are easy to take care of and will give you all the love and loyalty your family needs. And the best part, along with completing your large family portrait, you’re also saving a life.

Do you have time for your dog? More importantly, do you have time for yourself?

Adopting a younger up or even an older dog is just like having children in your home, the only difference- pets never grow up. Animals, too, get negative feelings and emotions. Feelings like isolation, confinement, stress and anxiety are common amongst neglected dogs.

If you find it hard to fit in time for yourself in your daily busy schedule, then think twice before adopting a high maintenance breed. Dogs, too, need their regular grooming sessions, vet checkups, good quality food and long hours of playtime to live content lives.

All dogs need extra love and care and oodles of attention. The love and experience you will receive from generic breeds is no different from the fancy ones.

Do you suffer from any allergies?

Dogs love travelling and exploring any area, be it the house or the streets. They even love sleeping on your couch and with you on your bed.

Studies show that 42 percent of domestic dogs love sleeping with their pet parents. As they do so , they leave behind a trail of fur, some of which is invisible to the naked eye.

Are you or your family members prone to any sort of fur related allergies?

Truth is, all dogs shed. The short haired breeds and the breeds with long luscious coats. More often it is the dander on the skin cells that people are allergic to more than the fur itself.

Daily vacuuming is a must to eliminate you home from fur. If such is the case, considering a dog with shorter fur will always be a better option in terms of their regular grooming, which in turn will keep your home spic and span!

Which dog breed is right for you?

Although adopting the right dog may seem like a daunting task, you do not need to get worked up in the decision making process. The percentage of successful adoptions far outweighs the failed ones.

If your mind is set on a certain breed, do your homework and read up about the dog’s nature. It wouldn’t hurt to know if they would manage to keep up to your lifestyle and vice versa.

Adopt a pet and give them the perfect life they deserve.

Image Courtesy: flickr.com/pkhamre