A Few Tips on Choosing Your Next Dog

Did you know that there are actually several hundred different dog breeds? It's true. Actually there are over 400 recognized purebred dog breeds at this time. With so many dog breeds to choose from, it seems as though there are enough dogs breeds for almost everybody? Luckily, you can narrow down the choices and find the right dog breed by following a few simple steps.

First, consider things such as your available living space. Do you live in an apartment? If so, you might want to rule out many large dog breeds. You may even want to look for dogs in the Toy group such as the Pug, Miniature Pinscher or some of the other small dogs in the Non-Sporting group, like the Bichon Frise.

If you have small children, you will also want to consider the size of the dog you are interested in as well. Very small dogs, such as Italian Greyhounds or Chinese Cresteds, can be very delicate and are often accidentally injured by young children. On the other hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards, can be overly boisterous as puppies and can accidentally turn your child into a human bowling pin. You may want to consider somewhat larger or medium sized breeds, such as Bulldogs, Shiba Inu or Basset Hounds, instead.

Next, you need to seriously consider exactly how much real exercise you can give your puppy or dog. If you have a home with a fenced yard, your dog will be able to get some exercise while playing on his own. However, keep in mind that many dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound or Herding groups are often very high energy animals and you will need to have enough time to provide them with more intensive exercise. Seriously! Plan on having to take many long walks with your dog or going for a daily run in the park. After all, keep in mind that these dog breeds were bred to work hard and don't do well unless they have a job to do or a way to burn off all that excess energy.

Finally, don't forget to consider things like the grooming needs of the dog breeds you are considering. Some dog breeds only need a half hour or so of grooming a week, while others need to be groomed for an hour or so a day. If you are short on time, don't buy breeds that require a lot of professional grooming such as the Poodle or the Maltese, unless, of course, you can afford to take your dog to a groomer fairly regularly. Dog breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets are very good choices for people who don't want to do a lot of dog grooming.

Once you decide which breed of dog you want, you will also need to consider the age of the dog as well. Many people opt to buy a cuddly little puppy instead of an older dog and forget many of the issues that go along with puppy ownership. While puppies may have not developed many bad habits yet, it will be entirely up to the new owner to be sure that the puppy becomes housebroken and obedience trained.

If you decide to adopt an older dog, they are frequently already housebroken and usually have at least some basic obedience training. They are also more likely to be less hyper and less destructive. However, they can often have a few behavioral problems or health problems that caused the former owner to find the dog a new home in the first place.

Do you want to get a puppy? If so, you will need to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the dog breed you are interested in. Oftentimes, a good dog breeder will have a waiting list for puppies. If you aren't the patient sort, you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. Please don't. Many pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have genetic health defects, bad temperaments, or a host of other problems. It is usually safest to buy a puppy directly from the dog breeder.

If you are specifically interested in an older dog, you may want to visit your local animal shelter or call a breed rescue. These dog breed groups evaluate the dogs' health and temperament before adopting them out. These places often have puppies too, by the way. Once you've narrowed down the dog breed choices, have done your research and have decided which dog is the right one for you, don't get too relaxed. After all, once you get your new dog home you still have one more important decision to make, what to name your new companion!

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