It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been a dog fanatic all your life or just recently discovered man’s best friend for you:
As soon as you have made the decision to add a four-legged member to your family, you would most like to have your new companion Pick up directly from the animal shelter or from the breeder.
But with the sheer unmanageable variety of great dog breeds , the question quickly arises: Which dog suits me? In fact, all dog breeds differ from one another in various aspects, be it temperament, social behavior or hunting instinct.
In order for you and your dog to be happy together, you should definitely consider the following five factors when choosing your dog.
What do you want from your dog?
Are you looking for someone you can cuddle with on the sofa in the evening, or are you looking for a spirited companion for your morning jog? Above all, if you want company, a quieter breed or an older dog is better for you.
Surprisingly, many larger dog breeds are also possible: Great Danes , Labrador Retrievers or the Irish Wolfhound need a lot of exercise, but are very cozy and affectionate in the house.
Even a slightly older dog would rather lie on the sofa than nibble on it. Are you looking for a more active partner for hiking or as a playmate for your children ? a dog with a hunting instinct and a little more energy should be selected.
Here are Muensterlaender , Border Collies or the Rhodesian Ridgeback to. These dog breeds need a lot of exercise and are also happy to take part in additional activities such as dog sports, swimming or extensive hiking tours.
What is your experience with dogs?
Many dog fans have already grown up with dogs and are therefore used to the fur noses.
Maybe you have been involved in dog training before? In this case, you can probably get along with somewhat “stubborn” dog breeds, such as an English bulldog , the Akita Inu or a short-haired Chihuahua (the long-haired counterpart, on the other hand, is much more reserved).
These races tend to be reluctant to subordinate themselves and require consistent upbringing, which should not, however, be confused with unnecessary severity and harshness.
Newly-baked dog owners, on the other hand, are not doing themselves or the dog a favor by getting an overly headstrong breed. Gentler and more reserved races are ideal here: The King Charles Spaniels , for example, are very peaceful and level-headed, just like the Maltese or a small Boston Terrier.
Consistent training is also essential for these dogs, but they are more likely to forgive minor mistakes in their upbringing or a slightly gentler approach than Chihuahua and Co. If you are a little unsure about dog training, a dog school in your area will help you .
How much time do you have for your dog?
Visits to the dog school or just long walks: a dog demands a lot more attention than a cat, budgie or guinea pig. You should be clear about this in advance! The daily walks alone can take two to three hours to weigh.
Then there is feeding, grooming and of course playing at home. A pug requires much less exercise than a Sheltie, which means that the length of the walks also varies.
The daily walk should of course not be limited to the bare essentials – this is not just about emptying the bladder, but also challenging the dog mentally, making contact with other animals and really working out.
Therefore, the route of this walk should be changed regularly. If the dog is injured, very old, or a small puppy, you should allow extra time for the walk.
Puppies in particular don’t walk on a leash as naturally, are curious and have to sniff everything very carefully – even a small lap around the block can quickly take an hour.
Caution: A dog should only be left alone for more than five hours in exceptional cases.
For example, if you live alone and work eight hours a day, your lonely dog will quickly get bored. Can’t you call it Taking an office dog with you to work should make you think twice about buying a dog.
What is the size of the apartment and garden?
Your dog’s exercise begins and does not end at the front door. At home, too, whether in the apartment or in the garden at home, freedom of movement should be provided to the extent that it corresponds to the nature of your dog.
While a small and calm pug will be happy even in a city apartment on the fourth floor, Sheltie or golden retrievers awaitPossibilities for movement between the walkers.
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Of course, a garden is ideal here, in which the dogs can play and run to their heart’s content. But unfortunately this is rarely the case, especially in the big city. Therefore, care should be taken to have a sufficiently large apartment.
Of course, romping around is only possible to a limited extent, but your own four walls should offer at least a little movement.
Apart from that, dogs can be mentally challenged with complex games of skill and thus keep themselves occupied.
But no toy in the world can replace a good walk: dogs simply need a lot of exercise. If this cannot be guaranteed, the dog is likely to become unhappy, sick, or aggressive. The apartment should also offer your four-legged friend some retreats,
Where do you live: family ties or a single household?
In general, dogs are pack animals: If they are kept alone, owners and co. Replace their own pack. Most dog breeds get along very well with younger pack members too.
Children should learn at an early age how they should treat dogs, what they are allowed to do and what might irritate the animals.
However, not every breed of dog is good with children, as they are often hectic and dogs can get excited so quickly.
A chow chow Although it looks like a cuddly teddy bear, it is easily irritable and therefore only partially suitable for keeping in a household with small children.
The Great Dane, the Finnenspitz or the popular Fox Terrier, on the other hand, are ideal dogs for families with children due to their calm and social disposition.
In a household with several people, the duties around the dog can also be divided very well. Children learn to take responsibility so early.
On the other hand, if you live alone, you should be aware early on that all obligations regarding the dog will be your responsibility and that you will have to plan a lot more time for the dog.
So: which dog is right for me?
As you can see, there are a few things to consider when choosing your future dog.
It is by no means enough to take a “cute” dog with you from the animal shelter if it ultimately doesn’t fit into your everyday life. Buying a dog should therefore be carefully considered.
At a “trial meeting” you can get an initial overview of the character of a certain breed of dog from various breeders.
The staff at an animal shelter can often give you initial information about a dog’s behavior. With the help of these guidelines, you can weigh up in advance which dog suits you and which breeds you should deal with more closely.
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