Considering adding another member to your family? Perhaps a pet? If this is your first pet, however, you might want to start small. Perhaps starting out with fish or a bird or even a cat is the best route. They provide companionship and are easy keepers. But, if you feel you have the time and attention to devote to a lovable pooch, I strongly advise spending plenty of time beforehand to find the best dog breed that suits you and your family to a “T”.
Why more of us are getting a dog
An unexpected phenomenon of the COVID pandemic is the increase in the number of people who are adopting and fostering pets. This is even though most shelters remain closed to the public. Adoptions are continuing online, however, to the tune that a few shelters are now empty, or close to, for the first time ever. Google searches for pet adoption increased by over 300% last March as people were suddenly ordered to shelter-in-place.
The foster rate has also seen a surge during that same period. According to the Humane Society of the United States, fostering has increased by 90 percent in certain areas of the country.
When the shelters shut their doors they turned their adoption efforts to the internet and social media. They hosted events such as online meet-and-greets and Facebook Live virtual tours. Celebrities also volunteered to spread the message of adoption and fostering, going so far as to introduce us to their own shelter pets.
It’s not a stretch to understand why people are suddenly bringing animals into their homes. Stay-at-home orders have resulted in many people curtailing business trips and vacations. And the vast majority of us are not even going into the office, substituting emails, chats, and online meetings over face-to-face interaction.
Schools and universities have sent students home and are struggling to find viable alternatives to classroom learning. What even the best alternative cannot provide, however, is daily contact with their peers. And interaction with others their age is vital for their social and emotional development.
This social isolation for most can eventually foster loneliness, leading to anxiety and depression. These detrimental feelings can then trigger a host of physical and physiological ailments. It has even been noted that the lack of companionship and the caring concern of others can hasten the death of our aging population.
It is no surprise then, that this innate yearning for companionship and affection compels us to satisfy that need through a pet. Those feelings are even stronger now since human interaction is not currently available. Pets can provide a distraction and boost our mood with their antics. They force us to stick to a routine and leave the house for exercise, fresh air, and sunshine. Children are provided an immediate source of amusement and emotional support and an outlet for their energy.
Know yourself before you look!
If you are considering adopting a dog or even a foster arrangement, it pays to spend the time exploring your needs and wants and then your options. Keep in mind that you will be entering a relationship that will span over a decade and impact your life on many levels.
By spending that time beforehand you are more assured you will find the canine that makes a good fit for your household. Let’s face it, if we don’t make the effort beforehand, odds are you show up at the shelter only to fall in love with that fuzzy, adorable puppy, not realizing that the daily maintenance required of a long-haired breed was not really your cup of tea.
How do we find the type of dog that suits us best then?
The best place to start is by considering your personality, lifestyle, and current living arrangements. You might be an active, outdoorsy person, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should look for an energetic pooch. For instance, if your chief sport is hang gliding or white-water rafting where would a dog fit into that scenario? Maybe a better fit would be one that is up for a good run with you but is just as happy hanging out on your couch while you are doing your own thing.
And don’t predispose yourself against one type of dog or for another. Size doesn’t necessarily equate with physical ability or energy level, as Great Danes are only moderately playful and not terribly adroit (remember Marmaduke?). And your bias against poodles might be based on their depiction as fancy fribbles. In actuality, they were bred as working dogs and are considered to be one of the smartest breeds.
So take the time to reflect on how you spend your days, particularly your downtime. Visualize what activities you and your furry friend might share, water sports or watching a good movie? Be assured, there is a breed of dog perfectly suited for each of those.
Do you spend most of your daylight hours at home or work or hanging out with your friends on the weekend? If you are not much of a homebody, but still enjoy someone greeting you at the door, don’t despair. Just pick a breed that doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety and can tolerate being home alone might work for you best.
Now, you need to know your dog.
Know yourself and then know your dog. And, specifically, what type of dog. You can narrow your search according to size, personality, temperament, energy level – the possibilities are endless. The range of dogs is also endless and you can spend hours researching them all.
That’s why I’m going to cover those breeds that are most popular in the U.S. I’m doing this to help you narrow your search and to give you a wider choice of sources, i.e. breeders. Just like there are all sorts of dogs, there are all sorts of breeders. You will want to do some background checking to make sure you are getting the best of the breed. If you are going through an adoption center, though, you will want to get as much background information as the facility can provide.
(A little factoid to impress your friends: “It takes three generations of breeding true in order for a dog breed to be considered and labeled viable“, https://breedingbusiness.com. 🙂
What breed of dog would suit you best?
According to lifestyle
Boston Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers are popular breeds for many reasons and are comfortable being alone if left with enough toys. The increasingly popular French Bulldogs don’t require a lot of exercise and won’t bark while you’re gone, making them perfect for an apartment dweller. And the Lhasa Apso and Maltese burn energy by running around the house – hey, they exercise themselves – and are low-shedding to boot.
If you prefer a larger dog to run around the park with you when you get home Greyhounds and Bullmastiffs (how’s that for large, lol) is a good option, but do just fine on their own as well.
If hiking, camping, and seeing the sights is your idea of relaxation then pick a dog is that is comfortable on land and water, travels well, and is social with people and other pets. Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Boxers, and German Shepherds are athletic, adventurous, and big people lovers. They can go all day but then curl at your feet when at the end of a long hike.
The shepherding breeds, hounds, and spaniels have boundless energy and are outgoing. Be warned, however, that their independent nature and tireless zeal require a firm hand and more training than the working dog breeds that live to please you.
For families with young or energetic children or someone who is more sedentary, I would suggest an adult dog. Just make sure you ask the adoption agency lots of questions regarding prior owners and any physical, emotional, or behavioral issues.
According to care
Also, take into account the amount of care a particular breed will require and how much time you plan to spend keeping them looking and feeling good. Long-haired breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, and Lhasa Apso need to be brushed often or trimmed regularly or you will have a tangled mess to deal with in short order.
There is also the age factor to consider. Most people fall for that adorable puppy with the fuzzy face and puppy smell (mother nature has a reason for that you know ;). But puppies require a lot of attention, training, and patience. Just be sure you can set aside the time and energy for that undertaking.
Look for the healthiest breed.
Some breeds also have more health problems than others. So be sure to thoroughly research any prevalent diseases or physical issues of that breed when making your decision. Medium and large dogs are prone to orthopedic problems and epilepsy and they don’t tend to live as long. The miniatures and toys tend to develop cataracts and breathing issues and some breeds have chronically bad teeth.
So, if you do not want to be one of the many Americans who spend billions of dollars every year on vet care or would hate to see your cherished friend struggle with these problems, your best bet would be to steer towards those that are generally healthier.
Keep in mind that pet insurance might be a good idea regardless of what sort of dog you are considering. Knowing beforehand what you might face concerning the cost of veterinary care can make the potential sticker shock a little less scary.
Or maybe a crossbreed?
Before you write me off as a purebred snob though, let me assure you that I am just as enthusiastic about the loveable mutt. Often, choosing a dog of mixed breed will offer you the best of all their ancestors. They tend to have fewer health concerns, versus those dogs that have been subjected to selective breeding. And, that is not to say that you can’t find a mixed breed with a known parentage to help steer you towards the best choice among all the friendly and eager faces you see in the shelters.
Resources to explore
There are a couple of websites I found that make the selection process easier, and kinda fun too. I liked Pedigree’s Breed Selector Quiz. The choices were humorous and they suggested breeds that I would not have considered. The article Best Dog Breeds For Different Personalities on the Rick’s Dog Deli website is well written and suggests breeds based on your personality and living conditions.
My advice would be to do your homework first before bringing a dog into your life. Examine yourself and your lifestyle and then do some research. That way you can ensure a good fit that will lead to a lifetime of love and affection between you and your furry friend.
