You’re thinking about welcoming a dog into your home and chief on your mind is the question of which breed you should be choosing. There are all sorts of factors that should go into what breed is best suited for you. However, here, we’re going to look at what kind of lifestyle you might be living, first, and recommending breeds based on that. Remember, all dogs have their own personalities regardless of breed, so you have to make it a perfect fit, not just expect it!
As someone who lives in an apartment
If you don’t have a large home, you might think that you don’t have room for a dog. However, so long as you’re able to take them out for exercise and to relieve themselves, there are smaller dogs that are perfectly suited for apartments. You want to typically choose those that don’t have exercise needs quite as great as others, such as the gentle but playful Bichon Frise which is typically very happy being with their owner throughout the day even if it’s in a smaller space.
As a mom of a full brood
If you consider being a mom your full-time job and utmost priority, then choosing a dog that’s good with kids is going to be a crucial factor for you, naturally. All dogs can find their place amongst a family of kids with a little time, but certain breeds such as Labradors, beagles, and dachshunds are great with children. However, you need to match your child’s personality to the dog, as well, as some are better with gentler children, while others love playing with more active types.
As a fitness lover
If you’re the kind of person that wakes up and gets going straight away and you’re always certain to fit a run or workout into your day, then it’s a good idea to partner up with a dog as active as you are. Dogs like those shown at https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/lab-retriever-michigan, as well as things like setters, Rottweilers, Border collies, and the like need to work off a lot of energy. They love nothing more than long walks and vigorous play.
As someone who loves to give a lot of affection
Dogs are not teddy bears that are there for you to hug and use as a receptacle for all of your affection. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t dogs who love attention and are great fits for people who have attention and affection to give. Dogs such as Pomeranians are great companion dogs, even if they do need a little more socialization. Be sure to make sure that your dog isn’t aggressive or overly wary of people that aren’t part of their pack, as is a common issue with the more affection-loving types.
As a full-time worker
You need to make time for your dog no matter how busy you are. However, there are still dogs for people who might not have as much spare time as others do to spend the day with them. There are independent breeds like https://animalso.com/breeds/alaskan-malamute/ that are better at spending time alone. Furthermore, you can also get yourself two dogs and they might be better suited to keep each other company while you’re busy. Just don’t try to use a second dog as a replacement for your own care. They still need you, even if you can’t be there all day.
As a fisher or hunter
If you love to spend long days in the great outdoors, hunting or fishing, then you should consider a sporting dog. Labrador retrievers are a great fit for this, as are setters, beagles, and Bassett hounds. Many of these dogs have traditionally been bred specifically to help humans hunt, so they instinctively find it incredibly rewarding to be out there, helping you make your catch. Just be sure to train them appropriately to halt and go on your command, or you can find that it may be difficult to stop them hunting once they’ve started.
For night owls
Do you spend a lot of your time up at night, so you think a barking prone dog might not exactly be the best fit for you? Luckily, there are a few breeds of dogs that are known specifically for being quiet. Dogs like https://kingsbrookvet.com/blog/fun-basenji-facts/ are the most famous type. They’re still energetic, love to play, and can be very affectionate, but they’re not going to wake you up too often during the day. On the other hand, Terriers are a bad choice and will bark you awake at the slightest inconvenience.
For those who want a guard dog
Whether you want to make sure that your property or family are safe, or you simply like the idea of having a little extra protection, there are plenty of dogs who are bred to be great guards. It’s important to know that aggressive dogs are not good guards, they should still be trained and be gentle to you and your family. However, when it comes to guarding the home, a well-disciplined Akita, German Shepherd, or Rottweiler can do you a lot of good.
For the allergic
There are few things more heartbreaking than loving dogs yet being allergic to them. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, truly. All dogs leave some form of dander and they carry the proteins in their saliva that cause allergic reactions as well. However, there are dogs that leave less dander, such as schnauzers, poodles, and bichon frises. Just make sure that you have what you need to manage your dog allergies, regardless of what breed you might choose, such as over-the-counter histamines, so long as your doctor recommends it.
No matter what breed of dog you end up choosing and what lifestyle you have, you still have to make time for it and give it the care it deserves. Keep that in mind above all else.
This is a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you for taking the time to read! 🙂