Tap to Read ➤

Choosing the Right Puppy

Reshma Jirage
It's not easy to choose the right puppy, especially when you are spoiled for choice. Before selecting any dog breed, you need to be aware of your requirements and expectations.
Getting a new puppy is truly exciting for the family. Dogs are loyal and loving companions. They bring a lot of joy into your life. However, you should be selective while choosing the right pup for yourself.
It is important to have enough knowledge about various dog breeds. You can choose from a variety of breeds, ranging from tiny Chihuahuas to huge Great Danes. Each dog breed has its own distinct characteristics.

How to Choose the Perfect Pup for Yourself?

You would first want to consider the available space at home before going in for pet adoption. If you live in an apartment, you can go for one of the small breeds, like the Yorkshire Terrier or Miniature Schnauzer.
If you have children, then avoid selecting breeds like Maltese or Chihuahuas, which are too small. These breeds are very delicate and can be accidentally injured by young children.
On the other hand, very huge dogs, like Saint Bernards or Boxers, can unexpectedly cause harm to your children.
Hence, it is better to consider medium-sized breeds, like the Lhasa Apsos or Fox Terrier. The next factor you should consider, is how much exercise you can give your dog. If your home has a fenced yard, then your dog can get some exercise on his own.
Dog breeds belonging to the herding, hound, or sporting groups are highly energetic. You should spend enough time to provide them intense exercises.
Lastly, take into consideration the grooming needs of each dog breed. For some breeds, half an hour of grooming once a week would suffice.
Others, like the Maltese or Poodle, would need an hour-long grooming every day.
Breeds such as Whippets or Boston Terriers are ideal for those who can't spend much time on grooming.
Once you have chosen the breed, you can consider the age factor. Many people opt for a cute, little puppy instead of an adult dog as housebreaking and training puppies is a relatively easy task. If you are opting for an adult dog, make sure that it is already housebroken and trained.

Different Dog Breeds

If you are planning on hunting with your dog, then you should consider some sporting breed, like the Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever. They can be easily trained and are perfect for active lifestyle.
Many people prefer dogs from the working group, such as the Siberian Husky, Bullmastiff, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, or the Akita.
Nowadays, toy dogs, like Shih Tzu, Pug, Maltese, and Pomeranian have also become very popular.
These breeds are a perfect choice for apartment dwellers.
If you have a farm and livestock, then you can consider the Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Border Collie, or German Shepherd, which belong to the herding group.
Before choosing any dog breed, know about its specific characteristics. When you own a dog, you need to train it so that it adopts skillful habits.
Breeds that are difficult to train include the Shih Tzu, Borzoi, Bloodhound, Bulldog, Chow Chow, and Basenji.
Some of the most intelligent―and thus, easy to train―breeds are Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Rottweiller, Border Collie, and Doberman Pinscher.
Take your own time while making your choice and enjoy your pup's pleasurable company for years.