How To Choose The Right Dog

Note: This is page 2 of our tips on how to choose the right dog -                              page 1 is here: Choosing the right dog

To ensure that you choose the right dog you will need to consider a number of different factors.

Hopefully you will see that the more time you spend on this process at the outset, the more likely you’ll be to choose the right dog at the end of it.

Once you have defined what you want in your new dog, you can start looking at which breeds may match your requirements.  Research is the key here - and the more you do, the better.

Make sure you obtain the best expert advice possible. For example, if you need advice on veterinary issues, you should obviously consult a vet. Likewise, you should seek advice on ‘dog breed characteristics’ from a reputable dog breeder, and advice on ‘behavioural issues’ from a dog behaviour specialist.

Advice from friends, whilst clearly well-intended, should nevertheless be considered as non-expert advice.

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Also remember that dogs, like humans, are individuals. Their character, personality and behaviour may have been influenced more by their previous training and environment than by their perceived ‘breed characteristics’. For this reason, breed recommendations (other than those from a genuine expert) can sometimes be misleading, and even dangerous.

Once you’ve found a ‘candidate’, spend as much time as you can with him before you make your decision. Observe his behaviour –

Does he seem to enjoy being around you and your family?

Is he relaxed, or is he showing signs of anxiousness when approached? 

Getting to know everything you can about its history, previous training, and assessing  just how well he has been looked after so far, will help you to choose the right dog.

Genetics will of course be responsible for some of his makeup though, so it’s definitely a good idea to try to establish the temperament of its parents and siblings if possible. 

If you’re deciding on a puppy, it should preferably be over 8 weeks old, already socialised and chew-toy trained, and have begun his obedience training. He should be confident, and should enjoy being handled, stroked and cuddled.

If you take the time to choose the right dog - one who matches your requirements, whom the whole family agree on, and with whom you all feel an immediate bond with, you can look forward to many happy hours of fun, activity and a rewarding sense of satisfaction as you watch your new dog develop into a happy and content companion for you and your family !

Good Luck !

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