How To Choose The Right Dog For Your Family

Choosing the right dog for your family is very important. This is so important because making the wrong decision can result in a very difficult living situation. Some dogs may be best suited for one type of home while other dogs may be suited for another type of home. Dogs who fail to thrive in their home environment often do so because they are ill matched to the home in which they have been placed. Many responsible breeders, animal shelters and rescue groups will evaluate families carefully before selling or placing a dog with them to help to ensure the dog is a great match for the family. However, not all breeders, shelters and rescue groups take care to screen potential homes carefully before placing a dog. While most dogs may easily adapt to any living situation, this is not as likely for dogs with serious behavior issues or who simply have a temperament which makes them better suited for a specific type of home. This article will outline several different types of dogs which may require a specific type of home to thrive. Readers can use this information to determine whether or not a particular dog is a good match for their home.

There are some dogs that are highly active and incredibly intelligent. This includes breeds such as the Border Collie, the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Shepherd. These are just a few examples of breeds that typically display these types of behavior but dogs of any breed may fit into this category and not all dogs included in these breeds will fall into this category. These dogs will likely prefer a home where they will receive a great deal of both mental and physical stimulation. These dogs will likely be best suited for a young family with active children who enjoy activities such as hiking, running and are interested in participation in dog sports such as flyball, agility, disk dogs or other activities which physically and mentally stimulate a dog. These types of dogs may not be best for families with very young children because these highly driven dogs may be too active and exuberant for homes with very young children.

There are also some dogs which typically have a rather high prey drive. This may include breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier and the Rat Terrier. These breeds were bred for the purpose of hunting small game and may view young children as prey and chase or nip at the children. Breeds with a strong herding instinct such as the Border Collie may also not be ideal for homes with young children because these dogs may also nip in an attempt to herd the children. However, older children over the age of eight may be excellent companions for dogs with a high prey drive or herding instinct.

The Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever have been some of the most popular breeds for families for a number of years. This is largely because these breeds typically do quite well in a variety of living situations. Although young dogs of these breeds under the age of three can be extremely high energy, these dogs are also typically very tolerant of young children and do not require a great deal of specific training. This can make them an ideal pet for many different types of families. While they may enjoy activities such as walks and hiking they typically do not require as much exercise and mental stimulation as some of the more active breeds and are often content to simply spend time relaxing with family members.

When allergies are a problem for a particular family, dogs that do not shed a great deal may be an excellent option. The Poodle, including the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle, are often considered to be an excellent option for families where one or more of the members may have allergies. This is because the Poodle varieties all shed minimally. However, there is a great deal of grooming involved in owning a Poodle. They require regular baths and should be clipped approximately every 6-8 weeks. Therefore, while they are ideal for families who suffer from allergies it is also important for these families to have time available to devote to grooming this majestic breed. These families may find a short haired breed which sheds minimally may be a better option for them. These breeds can range from the diminutive Chinese Crested to the massive Great Dane. Grooming of these short haired breeds is typically considered to be a fairly simply process as they do not require frequent baths. Brushing with a firm bristled brush usually suffices to maintain a healthy coat.

Finally, families should consider any dogs which already reside in the home when selecting a new dog. This is important because some dogs may be more accepting of a new canine addition to the family than others. For example a dog that is fairly young and extremely active may appreciate the addition of a puppy into the home. Conversely an older dog that is less active or a dog that has physical limitations may not appreciate the addition of an extremely active puppy into the home. Temperament also factors into the equation. Some dogs are very well socialized and get along great with all other dogs while others may be less accepting of other dogs either because they are dog aggressive or because they are fearful of other dogs. In either case it is important to introduce any potential new dogs to the resident dogs before making a decision to add another dog to the family. The sex of the dogs may also be an important consideration. Some dogs may be more accepting of dogs of the opposite sex while other dogs may not have any particular problems with dogs of the same sex. Dogs which are already spayed or neutered may be more likely to accept same sex than dogs that are not spayed or neutered.