A Guide to Selecting a Dog
Note: Read this First!!!
If you are planning on getting a dog, look at this page first. I will help you choose the dog that is as close to perfect as possible for you. The perfect dog is different for everybody. The perfect breed is not necessarily your favorite breed either. If you think that a purebred is not for you or can't afford one, see my section on Mixed Breeds. If you are not sure if you want a purebred or a mixed breed then look at the whole page. Do not buy the first cute dog you see in the window of a pet shop. It is important that you read this page to help you make the right choice. Note: any words in red are my opinions or experiences.
Just click on the question to read the info. Ponder these notes and think of your answer. Take into account all the factors. Don't worry if you can't decide the answer to any of the questions. These are just some notes and ideas to ponder.
This is a very good question. Overall male dogs tend to be a little bit bigger and more aggressive than females of the same breed. Unsterilized(not neutured) males may be constantly anxious if there are in-season females nearby. When a male dog urinates, it tends to use posts and trees to mark their territory on. A male dog may urinate indoors if another dog has been inside recently, especially if it is not neutered. Do not just assume that the male is bad and you should get a female. They have their faults too. Every 6 to 10 months, unspayed female dogs will have an oestrus period, commonly known as being in heat, that lasts about three weeks. The dog's behavior may change temporarily during this time and it may become less obedient. Basically if you get a male and neuter it, the dog will be less aggressive and won't be crazy when a female is in heat. If you spay your female, she will not have a heat period and cannot have puppies.
Do I want a Purebred or a Mixed Breed?
If you don't like to bother with paperwork and are not very organized and don't care if your dog is purebred or not then you should probably look into a mixed breed, (also called a mutt or a mongrel.) If you want to be sure of what breed your dog is and want to know what characteristics apply to your breed of dog then maybe a purebred is more for you. There is nothing wrong with a mixed breed dog but they can not be shown. If you plan on showing your dog it must be a purebred. Purebreds will cost more but you will know more about it's background.
Do I want a small dog or a big dog?
Whether you want a small dog or a large dog depends mostly on what you have room for. If you live in an apartment and it allows dogs then you must get a small dog because a large dog would not have enough room. On the other hand, if you live out in the county, maybe a bigger dog is more for you. Most dogs need a lot of living space. You must have access to a fenced backyard or other safe exercise area. If you have a small backyard I suggest you get a smaller dog. Also, a large dog eats more and therefore you will need to buy it more food. It is also harder to control a larger dog. All dogs need exercise but some more than others. Larger dogs tend to need more exercise like 2 or more walks a day. It also depends on the breed. If the main reason you want a dog is for protection but you don't have a lot of room, don't worry. My dog, which is part Chihuahua and some kind of terrier would attack a robber in no time and even though he is only about 19" high, he could do a lot of damage. On the other hand my old dog that was a German shepherd, Collie, Poodle mix and was about 30" high, let a strange drunk man into our trailer when we were camping. He didn't even bark. REMEMBER: Don't base the size of the grown dog on the size of the puppy because Terrier pups are the same size as Saint Bernard pups.
Am I prepared to walk my dog every day?
Dogs vary in the amount you walk them. Some dogs like the Blood hound, rarely ever needs a walk or any exercise at all. It is a very docile dog. Others on the other hand, like members of the sporting group or the working or even the herding dogs need lots of exercise, from 1 to 2 walks a day. Some need that in addition to daily exercise in the yard. If you want a big dog that needs a lot of exercise, that's fine but I suggest that you either go for daily or twice daily walks and have a big fenced in yard to play fetch in.
Do I want to brush it every day and take it to be groomed?
All dogs need regular grooming to keep their coats clean and healthy. You will need to either take time to do the grooming yourself with a comb or brush, or take your dog to a grooming parlor. You will also need to trim your dog's nails every few weeks, check to make sure its ears are clean and brush its teeth regularly. You will have to clean your home more often, especially if your dog is a long-haired breed. Some dogs like the short-haired Chihuahua need brushing every couple of days, sometimes once a week is enough. A bath when they look dirty is fine. If you bath them to much, it can ruin their coat making it dull. Other breeds like the poodle or schnauzer, need besides the regular, a trip to the groomers for clipping. This costs you money.
Do I want a puppy or an older dog?
You should get a puppy when it is about 8 to 12 weeks old. This will give the pup time with its mother and littermates, so that it socializes better with other dogs later in life. However, puppies also bond quickly with people at a young age. It is important that the puppy learns to interact with people as well as with other dogs. The time frame during which this socialization best occurs is between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. Puppies who don't grow accustomed to people before they are 14 weeks old can become fearful or aggressive around humans. A properly raised puppy should become a well-adjusted, friendly dog. Puppies require consistent care and close attention, and may soil your house until they become house-trained, generally by the time they are about three months old. Puppies may engage in play biting and chew furniture. If you have small children you will have to be vigilant to ensure that rough treatment doesn't harm the puppy's fragile bones. No young child should be left alone with a puppy or dog. An older dog is nice because you don't have to go through the training but there are some drawbacks too. If you were to get an older dog, it would come from an Animal Shelter. NEVER buy your dog from a pet store. These pets are usually not the little angels they look like. They can't offer any good advice about taking care of dogs and they have no idea where they came from. NEVER buy from a pet store either because the dogs usually come from Dog mills. If you do not know what that is, PLEASE click here. It is important.
Do I want a dog from a breeder or is the animal shelter okay?
You might consider a puppy or an adult dog from an animal shelter. It is a common misconception that an older dog can't adapt to a new home. Many adult dogs available for adoption are victims of unfortunate circumstances in previous home. They are often housebroken and already have some training. An owner may have to work harder to establish a solid bond with a mature dog, especially if it a stray or abandoned animal which has been mistreated in the past. How well a dog has previously socialized with other people will largely determine how it adapts to your family. Ask the shelter staff if they know anything about the dog's previous owners and their routine with he dog. The dog will be more at ease with you if you can maintain a similar routine. It may take time to modify the dog's behavioral patterns, but you will find that rescuing an older dog from loneliness can be very rewarding. A good obedience class will hasten bonding with an older dog and aid in correcting inappropriate behavior. Also, a dog from the animal shelter might not be a purebred. Even if it is, what are the chances of the shelter having the papers. If you plan on showing your dog or having them compete in obedience or agility. I suggest going to a breeder. They will have the pedigree and information about their energy level and behavior because they raised them.
Sites to visit about this topic
Links to other pages you should visit.
Here are some links to try. They all contain very good information about getting dogs. The breed selection questionnaire is a perfect place to go after you have thought about all the stuff on this page. You enter how big you want your dog, how much you are willing to spend on food a week, if you are willing to do a lot of grooming, if you have a big or little yard, how often you will give walks... etc. Then it comes up with suitable breeds of dogs for you according to what you said.
(Breed Selection Questionnaire)
(Are you ready for dog ownership)
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Kathleen
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