A quick guide to choosing a dog
According to the latest (2019) published statistics from the world’s three most influential dog organisations, i.e. The Kennel Club (UK), American Kennel Club (USA), and the Federation Cynologique Internationale (Rest of the World), there are either 221, 202 or 344 breeds of dog in the world, respectively. So, it’s evident that the criterion which determines a dog breed is not quite an exact science. However, what we do know is that from the minuscule Chihuahua to the gigantic Great Dane, all dog breeds belong to the same species; Canis lupus familiaris. Through selective breeding, domestic dogs have evolved into the hundreds of different purebred breeds of dogs that we know today – each with its own characteristics. And of course, there are estimated to be at least 150 million mixed-breed (aka cross-breed or mongrel) dogs worldwide, each with a set of hybrid qualities.
Some of the basic things to consider when choosing which type of dog is right for you as a pet are:
Space
Make sure your house is going to be big enough for your new addition to the family. A small flat obviously would not be the ideal environment for a large dog. However, there are some very active small breeds of dog that require decent amounts of space, as well.
Temperament
A dog’s personality and temperament can obviously vary somewhat within a breed itself. However, you should consider whether the general temperament of the breed fits into your family circumstances. It’s probably not a good idea to buy a pit-bull terrier if you have a baby on the way.
Exercise
All dogs should be exercised every day, to varying degrees. Make sure you or your family members have the time to fully meet the dog’s recommended exercise requirements.
Training
All dogs require some kind of training – some a lot more than others! And, it’s obviously a personal preference to what level of obedience you would like your dog to achieve. However, it’s best to make sure you have the time, commitment and money to properly train your potential new-found friend.
Coat
You need to take into account you and your families tolerance to dog hair. Is there a family member who is allergy-prone? Are you happy vacuuming on a daily (or perhaps more often) basis? How easy, or difficult, is it to vacuum that particular breed of dog’s hair? If your toleration to dog hair is low then you might want to select one of the many non-moulting dog breeds as your new pet.
Happy dog hunting!
