Dogs are wonderful pets that most people prefer to have around them. They are loyal and offer companionship and safety to their owners. The term “a dog is man’s best friend” speaks volumes.
The bond between dogs and humans is mutually beneficial, allowing you to love, care for, and nurture them. However, to help you build such a bond with your dog, you need to ensure that you give it the love it needs by spending some time with it.
Therefore, when choosing a dog to call your own, you’ll need to evaluate your lifestyle and pick a dog breed that suits you. Here are a few tips to consider when choosing the best dog breed for your lifestyle that you can comfortably nurture.
Where You Live
City and rural life are drastically different and should be considered when looking for the perfect dog breed. In the city, various variables come into play, including the population, the other animals around you, and the house you live in.
Given that your dog will have many encounters with strangers and other dogs when you go for walks, you need to consider getting a friendly dog. These dogs will make it easier to coexist with your neighbors and their canine friends. Your house also plays a significant role in determining the dog breed that suits you.
For instance, if you live in an apartment, you’ll need to consider a dog that you can efficiently train to stay quiet to avoid noise complaints. However, if you have a house with a compound, you won’t have to worry too much about your neighbors making any noise complaints.
On the other hand, if you live in a rural area, consider looking into the wildlife around your environment. Wild animals can threaten your dog, especially if you leave it outdoors without supervision. If there are animals to be concerned about, invest in a dog that can defend itself against any threats and avoid small pups that wild animals can quickly harm.
Space Availability in Your Home
If you have an apartment or limited space, consider getting a dog that doesn’t need too much outdoor time. Some dogs thrive in tight spaces and love chilling in the house and staying warm. Such dogs would be great for your home. However, if you have a backyard with great outdoor space, a dog with more energy and vigor to run around will be the best fit. Considering the space in your home will help you avoid investing in a dog that you cannot fully meet its needs.
Allergies
Most times, you’ll find people with allergies that are triggered by dog fur. These allergies can include sneezing, which is the most common one. To avoid triggering such allergies, you need to consider whether the people in your household suffer from them. If so, get a hypoallergenic dog that sheds less hair or not at all. Doing this will help you keep everyone healthy and still enjoy having a fur friend that you can spend time with.
Climatic Conditions
Most dogs will thrive in moderate climates where they can experience the different seasons of the year without any difficulties. However, when we talk of being in areas with extreme heat or cold, you’ll need to be very intentional when choosing your dog.
Dogs that do well in hot climates feature a single coat of fur. The fur comes in handy to avoid the sun from directly hitting the body and keeps the dog light to avoid too much warmth. When getting your dog, consider the amount of time it spends outside in the sun.
Try to avoid leaving your dog out for too long to prevent dehydration and other extreme heat effects. When it comes to snowy and cold areas, consider dogs with a double coat of fur that keeps them warm as they play around in the snow. Additionally, consider getting a bigger dog with more mass to help keep it insulated and warm.
Dog’s Personality
The companionship of these fur babies is unmatched and provides an incredible feeling of love and safety. When looking for the best dog for you, spending some time playing, feeding, and observing them before making your choice is essential.
You’ll get a better feel of their personality and how easy or hard it is to get along with them. However, you can also determine the best dog for you by looking at the common personalities in the specific breed you want.
For instance, if you are looking for a bright and affectionate puppy, a French Bulldog would be a great option. Spending some time with them will help you determine how the dog’s personality matches your needs.
Whether it’s a Multi-pet Household
Getting a pleasant and friendly dog is your best bet if you have other pets in your home. It’ll be easier to avoid fights and give your dog a comfortable environment in the company of your pets.
However, having other pets in your home can be a challenge, especially when you get the wrong kind of dog. You’ll have disrupted the peace and flow that your pets have already established. Therefore, to avoid this, find dogs that can coexist with their mates and even interspecies to give your home a loving and pleasant environment.
Dog’s Upkeep Spending
When you get a dog, you’ll have to spend some money to keep up with its needs. It may not seem like you’ll be spending much since all you need is food and grooming. However, it would be best if you also considered your dog’s health.
Unfortunately, most people tend to neglect this aspect when deciding to get a dog and end up with massive bills at the vet. To avoid such bills, look into the health problems your specific breed of choice is prone to.
If there are any health issues, consider implementing measures that will help prevent your dog from getting sick. If you can not implement the necessary steps, consider getting a different dog from a breed that you can easily take care of. Additionally, invest in pet health insurance to help you cater to your dog’s health if the need arises.
If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Two Dogs – Is it good to have two dogs?
