Adding a four-legged member to your family is a decision that will alter your life in unimaginable ways. With all the cuddly cuteness comes a lot of responsibility. If you ask me, it is not very different from raising a baby. While the initial charm of this new found companionship may wane off a little over time, their presence in your life won’t. If all goes well, you are looking at at least a decade long association, a couple of years here and there. Therefore, the decision of bringing home a dog is not one you should make lightly. Not only is it important to analyse whether a dog fits your lifestyle, it is also equally important to pick a dog breed consistent with your way of life.
Do you live in a big house with open spaces or a high-rise apartment? Are you single or married with kids? Do you travel often? Will your pet have company or will they spend a lot of time alone? Does your lifestyle allow you to spend time with your pet on a day-to-day basis or will they have your attention only on weekends? These and many more questions need to be addressed while deciding on the right dog breed.
A lot of times people, especially novice pet parents, tend to make the mistake of presuming that a small dog is the answer to all their dilemmas. It may even seem logical – a smaller dog does not seem to pose any threat to the safety of children in the house, can be accommodated well in a smaller space and may even appear to be low maintenance in terms of diet and grooming. However, I have seen Pomeranians get more aggressive and irritable around kids than the seemingly ferocious Alsatians. So basically, there is no one size fits here. Of course, how a dog turns out to be depends largely on the way he is brought up, but making the right pick is the first essential step in making sure you and your furry child have a hassle-free journey together. Bearing the following factors in mind will help you zero-in on the perfect dog breed:
#Temperament: Before you even begin considering different dog breeds, think of the kind of temperament you are looking for in a dog. Do you want a guard dog for protection or a pooch to spoil and pamper? Bringing a one-man dog like a Rottweiler into a large family may not be a sound decision, just the way expecting a Chihuahua to act as a guard dog would be a bit of a stretch. It is also important to visualize how your life may change over the next 10 years or so, and how your pet fits in that changing picture. Dogs are animals of habit, and any unwelcome change in their preferred routine can leave them ruffled and unsettled. For instance, you may be single now, but you may settle down and have kids somewhere down the line, or you may be staying with your parents when you bring home a pet and decide to move out later on. Is your dog’s temperament suitable to cope up with such changes?
#Size: When it comes to having a pet, size does matter. Confining a big dog in a crammed up space is inconvenient for both pets and their humans. A consistency between the size of your pet and your living environs is must for their physical and mental well-being. I recommend bringing home a large or giant dog such as a St Bernard, Great Dane, Labrador, German Shepherd or Dalmatian only if you have ample open space in the house. You don’t want your dog knocking over stuff every time he wags his tail in excitement or so much as moves from once place to another. Small and medium dogs like Beagles, Chihuahuas, Pugs, German Spitz or Dachshunds make more appropriate choices for those living in smaller homes or apartments.
#Coat and Shedding: A fur ball of a pup with soft hair may seem extremely adorable in a kennel. But is it suitable for your home? Think of all the shedding, chunks of fallen hair gathering up in corners and sticking to everything from your carpets to clothes. The same adorable ‘fur ball’ coat may well turn into your nemesis. If you live in a place with hot, tropical climate, it is best to steer clear of furry dogs and settle for ones with a less dense coat.
#Maintenance: Purebreds are extremely high maintenance, where as hybrid (or mixed breed) dogs are relatively tougher. Do your home work and learn about the uphill task of caring for a pedigree dog before signing up for one. If meeting the demands of raising a purebred such as daily grooming, long walks or workouts, right diet and routine trips to the vet will only add to the woes of a life already crumbling under the pressure of deadlines, you are better off with a hybrid. After all, the idea of having a pet is to seek companionship and solace.
#Male or Female: The sex of the pet is another factor to base your choice on. Though there isn’t much of a difference in terms of temperament and suitability, female dogs are slightly more high maintenance at least when they come in heat twice a year. But if you love dogs enough to not feel grossed out by her menstrual blood or support your female dog through the birthing process, there should be no holding you back.
#Pup or Grown up: Believe me when I tell you raising a pup is pretty much like raising a baby. Do you have the patience and commitment to deal with your house floor or even carpets dotted with pee and poop? Do you have the perseverance to put in hours in disciplining and potty training your pup? Constant nibbling on anything they can lay their paws on, vaccinations, regular diet alteration to keep up with the changing needs of their growing bodies are all part of the package deal. If that task seems too daunting, consider adopting a grown-up dog from an animal shelter or a family willing to give away their furry baby.
