Puppies are always so cute and just melt your heart. It is important when choosing a puppy to look past the cute face choose a breed and individual that will fit well in your home. Here are some points to consider before bringing home that cute ball of fur.
Who will be your vet?
Does the breed you are considering have predispositions to any health problems?
Will you get pet health insurance to help cover those potential costs?
Does the breed you are considering have any grooming considerations? Some breeds shed a lot all year, others need to be shaved, hairless breeds can easily be sun burnt and may need special skin care.
How much exercise does that breed need?
What are your goals? Do you want a lap dog, someone to hunt with you, someone to participate in sports, a running buddy?
Knowing your goals for your relationship with your dog can help you choose a better fit for your home. For example, someone who wants a dog to take hiking every weekend and attend dog sports would likely choose a higher energy working type breed. Someone who wants a lap dog and doesn’t want to go running regularly would likely not find a shepherd or a pointer a good companion.
Pay attention to descriptions of breeds when choosing a breed. Descriptors like bonds closely with one person, good guard dog, one family dog, wary of strangers, or profoundly loyal are all clues that that breed will be more difficult to make comfortable with new people or changes in the home. Breeds with these descriptions, although they can be great dogs, will take a significant amount of effort to properly socialize. If socialization is missed with these breeds, they can become very fearful of strangers or new things and may react with aggression.
Looking into the history of the breed and what they are used for today can also give you an idea into the predispositions of the breed’s temperament. For example, corgis despite being small and cute were, and still are, used to move cattle by biting. It will careful training to teach one that nipping and mouthing are not appropriate ways to get what you want from people. Golden retrievers as the name suggests were bred to retrieve things. They are often still used for tasks that require them to pick up and carry objects. This can be an especially frustrating trait in an adolescent dog that tries to carry around any object left in reach. Having to constantly take non dog items away from your exuberant puppy as it grows can get exhausting even for the most patient person.
In addition to reading, meeting many different dogs of various breeds can be a great way to learn more about their personalities. Joining a local kennel club or even just attending events can be a good way to meet various breeds and their owners. Often volunteering at a local shelter can also help you see the different personalities of dog breeds even if they are mixes.
If you are considering adding a new four legged friend to your home and are not sure where to begin, pet selection counseling can be a great way to get started right.