Choosing the Right Dog

Pet Bujji
Aug 20, 2024
7 min read

Updated: Aug 21, 2024

Choosing the right dog is a significant decision, one that can bring immense joy and fulfilment to your life. Dogs come in many shapes and sizes, with different temperaments too, so it stands to reason that the best dog for us will depend on what we are looking for! You need to know all the dog breeds so that you can choose whether a small lapdog with which to cuddle is better suited for the larger working breeds, and how are mixed dogs involved versus purebred puppies. And there is more difference between raising a puppy than an adult. We will now dig into the world of dogs, and in case you are thinking about having a, it might help!

Dog Breeds and The Basics

Dogs are as diverse as the people who own them. Different breeds each have their own attributes, temperaments and needs. Whether you reside in a cozy city apartment or on expansive acres of countryside, the perfect breed awaits.

Types of Dogs

Dog breeds are usually classified by the duties they were bred for and their size. The breeds that fall under these types are small, medium, large, working and companion dogs.

Small Breeds:

Popular small breeds such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Shih Tzu appeal to those city-dwellers with limited living quarters. Small enough to carry in your pocket, the dogs are portable companions and often suit apartment life. Small dogs, for the most part, are big and tall in character despite their stature. They are often faithful, friendly and good pets.

Medium Breeds:

This is where medium dogs like the Beagle, Bulldog or Cocker Spaniel come in providing both manageability and sturdiness. These are amazing breeds that can adapt to an infinite number of lifestyles. Small enough to be fragile but just large enough not to overwhelm. Medium breeds generally have a medium energy level and are typically friendly dogs who get along with just about anyone.

Large Breeds:

Three Large Breeds–The Labrador, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd—the Strength of the Intelligence and Loyalty. This, in turn, means they need more room to move and run; and also require a lot of training — for most people too much. They usually are chosen for their protective and task-oriented nature so they make great family members as well as working dogs.

Working Breeds:

For example, humans have purposefully bred many of our working breeds to do particular jobs — whether it be guarding (Rottweiler), herding (Boxer) or pulling sleds (Siberian Husky). These dogs are very intelligent and energetic, so they need proper training, a real job for them to do. Especially for owners who can exercise them both physically and mentally.

Companion Breeds:

Dogs like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog and Bichon Frise are companion puppies. A breed of brutal dog, cordial to human creatures; it does so greatly and appreciates love more than anything else. For families, seniors or anyone who wants a loyal friend to love.

Temperament and Breed Characteristics

This is critical…Each dog breed has a temperament and characteristics that need to be weighed in when deciding what type of canine would work best for your family. Certain breeds are more active by nature and need plenty of physical activity while others are happy to relax at home all day.

Active Breeds:

Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Dalmatians for example are high-energy dogs that require a lot of physical activity. Great for active singles and families, such Halloween best dogs love the outdoors, from hiking to running a few miles with you. Otherwise, they may start being destructive due to boredom.

Calm Breeds:

Breeds like the Basset Hound, Greyhound and Bernese Mountain Dog may be more appropriate for you if a laid-back lifestyle is your thing. Most of the time these dogs are peaceful and relaxed, happy with a couple minutes of exercise here and there mixed in between long naps. They are usually also loyal and friendly to their families.

Protective Breeds:

As a general rule Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler and Bullmastiff breeds are protective. Many of these are known to be very loyal and protective toward their families, making them great watchdogs. Despite these qualities, they also demand training and socialization to avoid turning overly aggressive.

Friendly Breeds:

For families with kids or other pets then Golden Retrievers, Labrador retrievers and Beagle-friendly breeds are best. These sociable and gentle dogs are ideal for kids and other animals.

Suitability for Different Lifestyles

You have to know your lifestyle before you decide on the type of dog.

For Families:

Known for their patience and love of children, breeds like the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Boxer. These dogs tend to be gentle, tolerant, well-balanced and enjoy being included in family activities. They are also typically pretty good when it comes to training and this makes them a great breed for families with small children.

For Singles:

French Bulldog, Dachshund or Chihuahua are some of the breeds that can be wonderful companions if you live alone. They sometimes become attached to one person and love being the only pet. Portuguese Water Dogs are typically low shedders and fit well into apartments.

For Seniors:

A senior citizen might do well with a breed such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu or Pomeranian. Small to well-mannered and need less exercise as compared with more gargantuan breeds. They are also very affectionate and make great friends for seniors.

For Active Individuals:

If you live an active life, think of the Australian Shepherd and Border Collie or Siberian Husky, Akitas are high-energy, and as a matter of fact, require quite some exercise so they make fantastic running or hiking companions.

Mixed Breeds and Purebreds: Deciding Between the Two

It can be difficult to choose between a mixed breed and a purebred dog. Both have their pros and cons.

Mixed Breeds

Puggle (A cross between a Beagle and a Pug), Goldendoodle (A cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle) and Schnoodle (A cross between a Poodle and a Schnauzer) are some of the Mixed breed dogs.

Pros and Cons of Mixed Breeds

Pros:

Mixed breed dogs—those lovely little mutts or 'designer' canines—are potentially much healthier than purebreds thanks to their larger, more diverse gene pool. Genetic diversity here leads to a lower risk of some inherited health issues. Mixed breeds are also typically more distinct in looks and personality, with a one-of-a-kind companion. Also, when you take a mixed-breed dog from the shelter home with you this usually means that you saved their life — something positive for both parties.

Cons:

The only negative about a mixed breed is that you can not count on how tall, their personality and their health when they are adult. When you do not know the specific types in their household, You will see this is very hard to predict how they are going to turn out. However, the unpredictable nature may scare off some potential owners.

Pros and Cons of Purebred Dogs

Pros:

The main reason purebred dogs become popular is because of this predictability. If you buy a purebred, size and temperament are predictable for the most part. For owners who need a type-specific dog — anyone looking for service or hunting dogs, perhaps just one that is less probably to interrupt out in hives via running up next and inhaling their fur basically by chance on the road.

Cons:

Inbreeding can unfortunately lead to genetic health issues in purebred dogs. Those health issues can result in greater veterinary expenses and a premature loss of life. Moreover, they can also be more costly to buy than the average mutt and need greater expertise in handling.

Which will be right for you: Puppy or Adult Dog?

Another big decision to make is choosing between getting a puppy or an adult dog.

Differences in Care and Handling

Puppy Care: Puppies are very time-consuming, labour-intensive creatures. They require house training, socialization and basic obedience training. Puppies are an absolute joy in some moments, laden with energy and curiosity… Then there is the rest of life — where all that abundance becomes one huge headache. Their first-year life also needs regular vet visits for vaccinations and check-ups.
Adult Dog Care: Adult dogs are usually house-broken (though not always) and they may even have some basic obedience down. The youngster kind of dog — their less playful puppy cousins that tend to be easier to handle. Yet adult dogs, now adopted from a shelter will still run into an array of different issues such as anxiety or poor behaviour that have to be taken on.
Bringing up Puppies — What To Expect?: Puppies are a lot of fun and very rewarding, but they can be challenging to raise. Constant attention and training are required to raise well-mannered adult dogs from puppies. You're going to lose sleep, have accidents in the house and have your favourite shoes chewed up. Nevertheless, the connection you generate during this time can be so powerful that it triggers an eternal friendship.
Adopting an Adult or Senior Dog: A great choice for many is adopting an adult or senior dog, particularly if you don't want to devote the time and energy required of a puppy. Adult dogs usually come to us already trained and more settled Old dogs as a whole but especially Senior Pitbulls are highly affectionate and appreciative of getting a second chance in life. They are usually less active and happy with a lazier lifestyle.

The best dog for you will depend enormously on lifestyle, preference and the kind of relationship — Housemate or soul mate? Whether you choose a small, medium or large breed of dog, be it a mixed-breed mutt purebred companion puppy or any adult in between rest assured the endless joy & fulfilment that they bring to your life is boundless. Always remember that every dog deserves a forever home and in the right choice you will have gained someone who will be your most loyal friend and bring so much joy to your life more than ever Similarly human dropout burnout.