How to choose the right breed of dog? On what criteria should you choose your pet? If you dream of a four-legged companion, this article is here to help you better understand your choice and make your adoption a success. Read the following and you will certainly be able to rejoice in the presence of your Dog, you, and your family.
Why is it important to choose a dog breed that meets our expectations?
A pet is there to help us have better times when we are alone or accompanied by the people we care about. So, if you have a very agitated pet but you are the type to stay calm, you will have difficulty enjoying the company of your pet. You will find him too excited while he will find you too boring. What could be more difficult than being forced to spend at least 15 years with an animal that annoys us and makes our days difficult because of its behavior? To avoid this imbalance, it is important from the start to adopt a dog that meets our expectations.
What to know before choosing a dog breed
Before making your choice of dog, you must have good reasons and clear goals to achieve. If this is the case, you will only have to select the animal that meets these needs that have been established beforehand. But how can you determine your motivations before adopting a dog?
You simply have to ask yourself the right questions, questions that will force you to give clear answers. Here is a non-exhaustive list :
- For what purpose do I need a pet?
- What are my dog size preferences? ( small or large size )
- What activities do I want to do with my future dog? (jogging, canicross, walking, sled racing, etc.)
- Will the dog be in charge of guarding my house or one of my children?
- Am I a hunting enthusiast who wants to get my dog involved?
- Do I need the dog to assist me in daily life or to guide me (if you are visually or hearing impaired?)
- Do I want my dog to learn new tricks every day?
- Can I tolerate the dog’s yapping or barking?
- Do I have enough time to take care of the dog (hair, bath, massage, walks, daily food, etc.)
- Do I have enough money to meet the dog’s needs? (vaccines, passport, tattoo or electronic identification, dental care, and other medical care)
Here are all the questions you need to be able to answer to be sure that the breed of dog you choose will suit you perfectly.
A dog adapted to your temperament
Dogs are known to be different, sometimes even within the same breed. Thus, the feeling of well-being when we choose a pet also comes from the fact that it corresponds to our temperament that it can remain calm when we want to be calm, and that it can become agitated when we ask for it.
Knowing yourself is the key to successfully choosing a matching dog.
Do you know your temperament? Are you one of those people who are calm and reserved? Do you like to play? Do you like hugs? Are you in a good mood most of the time or do you have many hours of anxiety? Do you wish the dog was more jovial and expressive to get you out of your periods of long, sad thoughts? Or would you like to have one who sympathizes by lying next to you every time you cry?
Are you patient? Docile? Enduring? If so, you will be able to train your dog, even if it is from breeds that are difficult to train.
If you can find your internal needs, there is a good chance that the animal selected will match this temperament criterion. You will see that at the same time as the animal will be happy, you will also be happy on your side. Perfect cohesion between the masters will be established easily and quickly.
Take the advice of others around you before choosing
When choosing a pet, it is important to involve other family members in our decision, especially if they are going to live in the same house as the dog. It is always important to take advice from other members of your family or list the children’s preferences as well.
Indeed, if children are looking for a dog with whom they can play all day long, it would be very annoying for them to bring them a dog who likes outdoor sporting activities rather than naughty games with the children. If the dog is also aggressive with your children, cohabitation will not be possible. If you do not take their opinion into account, your children risk becoming frustrated and their relationship with the dog will very quickly become difficult.
To avoid surprises, it is also recommended to visit several forums and meet different dog owners, ideally, owners who have already adopted the breeds you want. So their experiences will let you know what to expect. You will then be able to make your choice with complete peace of mind.
A dog behavior expert can also help you choose the breed that meets your expectations. After analyzing your expectations and preferences, he will help you choose a dog who will meet all your needs while being satisfied himself too.
What if perfect didn’t exist?
Do you know that despite your research, after finally choosing, you may become a little frustrated in the long run regarding Toutou’s behavior? Yes, perfect is a myth that is difficult to achieve among human beings, even more so among the animals that keep us company!
That said, the most important thing is to ensure that your main criteria are respected, criteria such as size, facial appearance, or even the breed of the dog. Once these basic criteria are met, you can work on his education to find everything related to the desired behaviors. And, even if the dog sometimes reacts differently to what you have taught him, continue to focus on the good things that characterize him and try to overcome the bad things.
In conclusion, it is important to emphasize the fact that having a perfect dog means creating total harmony in the owner-dog relationship. By following the above advice, you will succeed in finding the dog that suits you.
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