Humans love dogs for several reasons and along with cats, they are the animals used mostly as pets. They are friendly and loyal, good companions, and easy to care of. Owners have them for several reasons which may range from just wanting company, to security and protection, or as exercise buddies, etc. Bestprotectiondogs.org have
As with all animals, many dog breeds exist and they all come in various sizes, shapes, and colors as well as with different capabilities. While some are mostly for pleasure or companionship, some are stronger, built for strength and resilience and can therefore be used as a form of security, in military and police operations as well as for rescue purposes. Some are useful for hunting, pulling loads, sports, herding and even aiding disabled people. If you are looking to get a dog and wondering which breed to get, then see the tips below.
Choosing the Right Breed of Dog
There are over 300 different breeds of dogs. Depending on what you need your pet for, there are tips on how to select the one that will fit whatever reason or purpose for which you are acquiring it. There is also a wide variety of dogs even within different breeds and selecting one may not be that easy. Factors to consider include:
Why Do You Need a Dog?
The first thing to consider is why you need a pet. List out all the reasons and purposes. This will go a long way in determining the breed you should go for. For instance, if you are acquiring one for security purposes, it is best to go for breeds like German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Bloodhounds, etc.
For hunting, you can consider Beagles, Coonhounds, Pit Bull Terriers, etc.
When it comes to aiding disabled and handicapped people Labradors, Belgian Malinois, and the Alaskan malamutes are great for this, while if you just need companionship, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, etc. are a good match.
Also, if you have kids, you have to put into consideration a breed that is kid friendly.
Temperament and Energy Level
Another good factor to consider while choosing your pet is its temperament. Some are friendly and outgoing while some may be more aggressive. Will you and your dog be around people a lot? Will you need it to go on a jog and for exercising? What about sensitivity?
A good way to know about this is researching by either reading breeder books, talking to breeders, checking temperament test sites or by spending time and observing available ones around you. Note that even though they are of the same breed, individual dogs might vary in temperament. This may be based on training and other factors. Also, remember puppies are easier to train than adults. You can watch this video to learn how to test a dog’s temperament.
Available Resources
Think about your lifestyle and consider factors that include finances, time, and other resources required to care for your pet. Also, will you need to train it? Keep in mind that different breeds require different levels of attention, time, and care. If you won’t be available all the time, it is best to go for one that can manage with little attention.
Size
You can either get a dog while it is a puppy or as a grown one. For an adult, you can immediately see the size and know if that size is perfect for you. For puppies, you need to be certain how big it will become when it is fully grown.
Consider your home and space and determine what pet size will be a perfect fit. Do you live in an apartment or do you have a backyard where it can run around? All these will help you to know which size to acquire. Also, understand that there are advantages and disadvantage that comes with the size of the dog.
For a full description of various breeds you can read this article: https://www.britannica.com/animal/dog.
Conclusion
As much as possible, exert effort to research dog breeds before acquiring one. Do not just pick any one blindly; rather choose one carefully after considering what your needs are, why you need one and resources you have at your disposal including time and money before you do so. Doing this will ensure that you and the pet you finally choose will enjoy each other.
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