How to Choose the Best Dog Breed for Your Lifestyle

Whether you are looking for a purebred puppy or want to rescue an adult dog, choosing the right breed for your personality and lifestyle is extremely important. Although many people are content with a mixed-breed puppy, most people would like some idea of the breed and characteristics of their precious ball of fur. So how do you choose the right breed or breed mix for your family?

Research Dog Breeds

The internet is a great place to start researching different breeds. There are lots of sites that offer a “dog breed selector quiz”. You can also research the general pros and cons of adopting a dog, insight into the benefits / drawbacks of purebred or mixed breed dogs, choosing a puppy vs. an adult dog, how to find a good dog breeder, the ins and outs of AKC registration, and much more.

Once you’ve narrowed down the list of potential breeds you’d like to research, it’s a good idea to go to the American Kennel Club (AKC) website and do a deeper dive into each breed. The website lists most breeds and general characteristics, including:

• General personality
• Energy level
• Good with children
• Shedding
• Grooming needs
• Trainability
• Average height
• Average weight
• Life expectancy
• Barking level
• Basic facts about the breed
• Breed standard
• Care needs
• Nutritional needs
• Health concerns
• Links to the National Breed Club, local clubs and meetups dedicated to the breed, and
• Some pages have videos of the breed.

Talk to Breed Experts

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it’s a good idea to reach out to club members or breeders of the breed you’re interested in. Spend time with each breed to see if the breed is right for you but also try to determine if your family is right for the dog.

Finding Kid-Friendly Breeds

Breeds that are highly trainable are the best ones to choose if you have children (or plan to have them) because these breeds are eager to please and tend to be more family-oriented. Dogs that were bred to be sporting dogs – like retrievers – are popular family dogs. Some of the herding dogs like German Shepherds and collies are also highly trainable.

While all breeds, if socialized properly and brought up with kids, should be fine with the children in their family. However, some rescue dogs are not a good fit to be around kids due to their past trauma.

In general, larger dogs are better with small children because they are more durable. Small children tend to be harder on dogs – pulling on an ear, stepping on a foot, pulling the tail – which tends to be more easily tolerated in larger dogs. Small dogs tend to be more reactive and, if injured, might retaliate with a bite. So, in general, choose a larger dog if you have small children.

Allergies and Dog Breeds

Some people would prefer a dog that sheds less, both for hygienic purposes and to reduce the effects of allergies. While there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs, some breeds tend to shed less, such as:

• Bichon
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Maltese
• Poodles and Doodles

If you tend to have allergies, it’s best to spend a little time with the animal you are considering adopting to make sure you do not have a particular allergy to the animal. Be sure to let the dog lick your hand or arm to make sure you are not allergic to his or her saliva.

Dog Breeds and Energy Levels

When thinking about a dog breed and how well a pet will match your family’s energy level, look at what the dog was bred to do. For example, if your family is on the lower end of the energy spectrum, don’t select a breed that was bred for hunting, sporting or herding. These breeds are typically very high energy and, if they don’t get enough physical and mental exercise, they won’t be a very happy dog. And unhappy dogs can be very destructive.

Where to Find a New Puppy

Go to a reputable breeder to find a new puppy. You can locate them through the AKC or dog breed meetup or club. There are also breeder ads online. Be sure to do your research and interview the person you’re considering buying from to ensure you are dealing with someone that is reputable. Here’s what to look for in a reputable breeder:

• Are they aware of the potential health issues of the breed? Do they do testing on their litters to identify health problems?
• In what way are their puppies socialized?
• Do they guarantee they will take the animal back if there’s a problem?
• Will they work with you to help you raise the puppy, or do they seem to be only interested in the money?

Look for a puppy that is socialized. This is especially important during the first eight weeks of life. Ask about the types of situations your puppy has been exposed to from a very young age to prevent your puppy from being fearful and aggressive.

Puppies need to be exposed to lots of outside noises, sights and sounds. You want to let your puppy meet other people and, after they are properly immunized, around other dogs.

Quality breeders are happy to be a resource to new puppy parents. If you run into a question or a concern, it is helpful to call someone that you know has information about your breed and cares about your animal.

Ideal Age to Bring Puppy Home

A puppy should be at least 8 weeks old before going to a new home. Many breeders prefer to keep their puppies until the animal is 12 weeks old, but really, anytime between 8 weeks and 4 months is a good age.

Adult Dogs

Adult dogs can be an excellent choice for many families. Hopefully, you will avoid some of the early puppy behaviors that younger animals will present. However, you may find that even older dogs need training and supervision, so be prepared to spend time with your dog. Most adult dogs will have had some type of training and socialization, making this type of a dog a good fit if you don’t have the time – or patience – for a new puppy.

Senior Dogs

Don’t forget about senior dogs. There are many senior dogs who need a good home in which to enjoy their golden years. Senior dogs are adopted less often, which is heartbreaking. A senior dog can make a wonderful companion if you are looking for a low-energy dog. However, a senior dog is more apt to have health issues and, of course, you will not be able to enjoy your dog as long as a new puppy, so take that into consideration. If you are willing to accept the responsibilities, consider adopting a senior dog and you will be rewarded richly.

Busy People

Do you really want a puppy or a dog but worry you are too busy? Consider bringing your dog to Canine Campus or another reputable dog daycare during the day so your dog gets the socialization, attention and interaction he or she needs and deserves. Look for a daycare that has staff members who understand canine behavior and ensure the dogs play safely. That way, you can drop your dog off on your way to the office, giving your dog the chance to play all day and express all that energy, and get good and tuckered out. Pick up your dog on the way home from the office and spend a relaxed evening crashed out together!

Want to learn more about dog daycare and why Canine Campus is the premier dog daycare, grooming and boarding facility in Colorado Springs? Call us today at 719-448-9600 to set up a time to visit! We look forward to meeting you – and your new pooch!