Criteria in Choosing the Right Dog Breed

       While I was searching the internet for dogs/ puppies for sale in the Philippines, I came across a lot of information. There are dogs for sale in every breed and it made me realize, what breed will suit me. Will I go for a pet or champ line/ show quality dog? What is the best breed for me that will suit my personality? What are the things I need to consider in choosing a dog/ puppy? These are just some questions dog lovers ask that I would like to share.

        Before we go any further, “Do you really need a dog?” Owning a dog means a lot of responsibility, patience, time and yes, more expenses. If you’re looking for a pet puppy, it’s like having a baby - a family member. Dogs need to be cared and loved. They need to be properly housetrained and to have a form of exercise. They need to have basic obedience training, techniques for teaching manners while guarding the puppy's temperament and personality make up. You don’t want a dog that is dangerous to your household and community.

        Now, let’s say you’re really decided to get a dog. These may be worth to consider:

1. Temperament – Dog temperament is described in the breed standard but it is worth to mention that dogs have their own individuality. There are breeds notorious for their toughness and being aggressive to other animals making them very good guard dogs such as Rottweilers and Doberman Pinchers. There are dogs that are so playful and wouldn’t mind visitors going in and out of your house.

2. Size – One size does not fit all. Generally, big dogs are not suitable for apartment dwellers, though some can adopt well as long as they have daily walks. On the other hand, small dogs are generally not suitable for families with active children or elderly who may trip over a small, bouncy creature.

3. Coat Type – Long-coated and double-coated dogs shed a lot, leaving dog hair everywhere. If you’re a meticulous housekeeper or you don’t have much time for grooming the dog, better get a short-coated one. Some dogs have oily outer coat that can develop unpleasant doggy odor. Dogs that have heavy coats may suffer in hot climates while short coats will suffer in the cold.

4. Training Needs – Different breeds have different training needs. Some breeds are fairly easy to train like Border Collies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, etc. These are sporting and herding dogs that were designed to work independently and developed to guard livestock. Generally, hounds and terriers are difficult to train. Dog intelligence is not necessarily an indicator of trainability; smart dogs often have their own agenda and require firmness of purpose on the part of their owners.

5. Exercise Needs – All dogs need to exercise. Though cute, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds and Corgis are not good jogging companions while German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Border Collies are not the typical couch potatoes. If you’re active, it would be better to get a dog that can jog and play catch ball, otherwise, you can settle for a quieter type.

6. Noise Factor – Most dogs bark and some barks a lot. Owners of barking dogs must be vigilant in preventing their pets from becoming a neighborhood nuisance. There are available gadgets and training methods to do this.

Whatever purposes you may have in getting a dog, it is worth to consider planning ahead. Read about the breed you want to get. A dog is a part of the family and it’s worth investing your time and knowledge.