How to Choose the Right Dog for You: What You Need to Know
Lifestyle Considerations
Take a good look at your family and your lifestyle before you bring home any dog. How often are you at home? Do you have any small children? What is your general activity level like right now? It’s a mistake to bring home a dog that doesn’t match your lifestyle or to bring one home because you think you’ll be making some changes in your activity level in the future. An active dog will quickly seem like a burden if your idea of exercise is a weekly walk around the park. Your canine companion might need walks two or even three times a day, and you can be sure that if you don’t meet those needs, he or she could take that energy out on your furniture, shoes, or anything else that happens to be nearby. There are plenty of dogs that are absolutely content with laying on a couch with you all day. All in all, you just need to be sure you choose a dog that fits you.
Size Matters
Maybe you’ve had your heart set on a large breed of dog, or you know a petite lapdog is the one for you. Either way, it’s important to consider the needs of your dog and the space you have available! Bringing a bull mastiff or an Alaskan malamute into your one-bedroom apartment is likely not a great move for you or your new canine friend. If you’re adopting from a shelter, know that they may look into your home situation before approving your application to adopt—this includes checking on whether you have the suitable space available for your future pet.
what do you need to know
If you’re an animal lover, you’ll know that there’s nothing quite like coming home after a long day, or even just a quick trip to the store, and experiencing the enthusiastic greeting of your waiting pet. Whether you love dogs, cats, birds, or some other type of animal, we can all agree that pets make the best friends you could ever ask for.
Maybe you haven’t taken the plunge and brought a pet into your home yet, but you know that man’s best friend is just what you need. If you’re considering adopting a dog, here are some things you should know before you head to your local shelter or rescue.
Consider a Trial Run
Your next consideration should be your family. Do you have children, roommates, or a partner at home, or is it just you? If there are any dog allergies in the house, you want to be sure you know about it before you bring a dog into the home. Introducing a dog of any kind into a home with an infant or small child has the potential for problems. Before you commit to a new dog, be sure to ask the employees at the rescue or shelter lots of questions about the history of the animal—they know their animals well, so don’t be shy. You can also set up a meet and greet with a dog you are interested long. This allows you to take the dog out for a short walk and see how they interact with you and your family.
If you’ve tried these options but you still feel doubtful about a new dog in the home, consider providing a dog with a foster home for a while instead. Shelters always need fosters, and fostering gives you an opportunity to find out if having a dog in your home is the right move for you.
Get Ready for a New Best Friend
Congratulations! Now that you’ve chosen your new dog, bring them home to your family and get ready for your new best friend. Dogs can be loyal companions, and caring for them is both challenging and rewarding. Enjoy your new pal!