Choosing a Dog

Considering purchasing a new puppy? Completely confused at which breed would suit your lifestyle best? Do your research and the time will be well spent, as bringing a dog into your home can affect the family for potentially the next ten to fifteen years.

What the pup requires from you....

There are many breeds of dog that offer a selection of behavioural and personality traits. However, there are certain requirements that apply to all types of dog and careful consideration of these points can help decide if a dog, or a breed, suits you best and matches your lifestyle.

Time & Commitment: Dogs are social animals that need lots of attention, especially to avoid behavioural problems and they also require training, exercise and grooming. If you expect that you will be leaving a dog on its own for more than four hours on a regular basis, then you may need to reconsider your choice of pet.

Space and Exercise: The size of your house and garden will need to be considered, as will your ability to provide your dog with exercise. Different breeds of dog have different exercise requirements - some are content with a short walk every day but others need several hours a day.

Expense: There are one off and ongoing expenses to bear in mind. These include:

• The initial cost of your puppy/adult dog

• Daily costs of feeding (especially the larger breeds)

• Budget for veterinary fees / insurance premium costs

• Kennelling / care costs during holidays

• Grooming fees for some breeds

Experience: Have you kept a dog before?  There are easier breeds and there are more demanding breeds to care for.

Reasons for Having a Dog - Are you hoping for a protective, working or companion dog?

Making that Choice: There are rough guides to each breed available from books, websites or by visiting pet shows. Our veterinary surgeries will be able to offer advice and guidance.

Points to remember:

• Purebred vs. crossbred? It is possible to look at information on a particular breed and have an idea of what to expect - with crossbreeds this is more difficult to judge, however, it is fair to say some diseases are strongly linked to some purebreds.

• Size / image issues. Big dogs generally need more space, possibly more exercise, more food and often have a shorter life expectancy than many smaller breeds. Each breed has its own image - somebody walking a Chihuahua sends a different message to someone out walking with a Mastiff.

• Male or female? Male dogs tend to be larger than their female partners and are more prone to being competitive with other dogs, bitches will have a season twice a year unless spayed. These all bring their own set of issues.

• Coat: Long hair or short hair? Long coated breeds such as Afghans need a lot of grooming attention but other shorter haired breeds may shed hair at every step. Some dogs will need regular clipping - often at a professional grooming parlour to maintain a healthy and attractive coat.

• Age: Puppies are fun, haven't learnt any bad habits yet, and you get to watch them grow up but come lacking toilet training and with some playful but possibly destructive behaviour (like chewing your favourite shoes). Older dogs come with a little more training (hopefully) and you avoid the messy years but there are still risks.