What kind of dog are you looking for? Family dog or quiet, carefree, easy-care dog for a single person or a working couple? Just as everyone is an individual with a different and unique personality, so are dogs different. Not only do dogs have their own personalities, but each dog breed has specific characteristics that are often very different from other dog breeds.
Before going into detail about the different types of dogs, it is important that you understand one point. Buying a dog is a commitment. They are not like guppies, remember to feed them and then flush them down the toilet when they die from lack of care. You are not independent. They need regular grooming and need exercise if they are to be comfortable to be around. They become insecure and develop behavior problems if not properly trained and cared for. They need shots and have medical needs from time to time. They poop in the yard and chew on things they shouldn’t. Puppies need a lot of grooming and training, and they chew a lot – they chew on shoes, table legs, sponges, children’s stuffed animals, loose plumbing, laptop cords, extension cords, hairbrushes and pens.
Are you ready for this kind of commitment? If not, then don’t get a puppy. Get a guppy, or a turtle, or a bird, or even a cat. But don’t get a dog. Please.
Having said all that, let me remind you that dogs are man’s best friend. They’re always happy to see you when you come home and they never complain about what a rough day they’ve had. They’re loyal, trainable, and will defend you to the death (well, some breeds will.) They take you for who you are, never tell you you’ve gained weight, or blame you for smoking or that extra martini have drunk. They can be the most devoted, loyal, and devoted pet you will ever have. They try to comfort you when you are sad and rejoice with you when you are happy. Those are some of the reasons they earned the title of Man’s Best Friend.
Tip #1: All puppies are cute. All puppies look pretty similar when they are born in their first month or so. Their tails wag, their ears are cute, they roll and jump and lick and pretend to be wild. There is not much difference in appearance between the Rotweiller and the Beagle. But, you know what? When fully grown, they are very different dogs in size, temperament, and characteristics. Don’t base your decision on what type of puppies you want to get based on how cute they look as puppies. They ALL look cute!
Tip #2: Size matters. All puppies are quite small when they are born and they don’t grow that much in the first month or so. Know how big the dog you are looking at is getting. How large? How many pounds does an adult dog weigh? How Much Food Will a Dog That Size Eat? What size yard do you need for a dog this size? Important questions.
Tip #3: indoor dog our outdoor dog? All dogs can be indoor dogs, even the Great Dane (although you should put away all your prized vases). But small “toy” dogs do better indoors. You know the ones I’m talking about, they’re a little bigger than a cat and they love wearing dog clothes. That’s not to say you can’t have your Golden Retriever indoors, he’ll probably love lounging at your feet as you curl up and read your book (they’re devoted!). Time. She enjoys a large garden and lots of exercise. If she gets bored, she will tear your apartment to pieces. Believe me. (Yes, I have a golden retriever. I know what I’m talking about. You don’t want a bored, reserved retriever. Trust me.)
Tip #4: Family dogs like to be around children. Some breeds can be a bit more irritable or snappy. It’s impossible to make a blanket statement about what kind of dog gets along well with children. My sister had a Doberman and her little girl lay down and drank her bottle while resting her head on the Doberman. But in general, the happier, more social dogs do better with young children. Retrievers, for example, are real human dogs—they hate being left alone. The more children, the better for them. Labradors and Cocker Spaniels are also good with children.
Tip #5: Loud dogs don’t make good pets for city dwellers: Beagles are usually great with kids, but…and this is a big deal…they howl. It’s not a bark, it’s a howl and they love to howl at the moon or at other dogs. They are noisy and this can be quite annoying for your neighbors. More excited breeds will usually bark or bark a lot more. If it’s a small dog with a little bark and he stays inside, he won’t bother the neighbors. If it’s an irritable German shepherd barking at every bike, child, car, cat, dog, and person that walks past your front gate, and he’s out most of the day and night, you’re in your neighborhood maybe not too popular.
The bottom line is before you decide on a breed, do your research online, research all you can about the dog breed characteristics, talk to people who have that type of dog and make sure it fits your situation. Many dogs are abandoned on the street or sent to animal shelters because someone wasn’t sure they were the right dog for their situation. Don’t make this mistake. Do your research, learn everything you can, and make an informed and informed decision.
