Everyone goes through the thought process of whether or not they want to add in a four-legged furry friend to their life. The problem generally lies within the decision of, "Which breed of dog do I get?" It can be quite a daunting process because you can end up torn by which dog you find a cutest, versus which dog actually fits your lifestyle. That's correct! Which dog suits YOUR lifestyle the best! There are so many factors to take into consideration when considering adding a dog to your pack, and I'm going to to my very best in trying to bring up the most important ones before you make a life changing decision. Here we go!
Different factors come into play when making the decision of every family member being on board and how much time can be dedicated to him or her. Whether you decide on a puppy, adult, senior, or special needs, these should be some questions you are asking yourself, or with your family, when making a decision:
Can all responsibilities be shared amongst all members of the household? Regardless of the breed or age of the dog, everyone must be on board with wanting this animal as a member of your pack. With this in mind, you need to consider how the pet will fit into your life over time. We don't stay young forever and they are only in our lives for a short amount of time as it is (or so it seems to many of us). What will happen when your children get older, when they move away, or if you never plan to have children but end up with a surprise? Are you willing to teach you child to respect the dog's boundaries? What will happen when you retire from your job? What if you decide you want to move out of the state, across country, or even to a new country?
How often will the pet be unattended, and for how long? If there will be long periods of time where the pet will be alone, do they have access to the outdoors (i.e. doggy door, etc.) or will you be willing to hire a sitter to drop-in and let them out for you?
Do you have a fenced in yard, a tie out, or will they roam free? Will this be a livestock guardian? Will they be an "inside" or "outside" dog? Do you have the appropriate space to have the dog you desire?
What are your travel plans? Can you bring the dog with you? Are you willing to travel with them, and if not, are you willing to board them during your vacation?
Some breeds have specific diseases that can appear over time or in old age - are you willing to put in the efforts of care and the money for veterinary bills? I have mostly German Shepherds and mixes of the sort, let me tell you, ACL surgeries are not cheap for dogs who like to run hard and generally have no sense of self-preservation - someone send help for my bank account, please! 😭😂
Does the dog you want suit your activity level? Take a moment and truly think about the lifestyle you currently have and take even more time researching the breeds you are interested in regarding their energy levels and exercise needs. Being able to provide the required amount of exercise daily for an average of 16 years is a HUGE commitment. Know what you are capable of managing beforehand so you and your new furry friend are both happy and satisfied. You cannot blame a hyper dog like a Springer Spaniel for being themselves if you are unable to provide an outlet for them to release that energy. A dog like that has energy that could have them running for several MILES every day - and if they don't get it, they will more than likely be destructive from their frustrations. My husband and I are traveling folk who love vacationing with our pack, so they love every adventure!
Which brings me to my next point - can you chew-proof your home? This is a very important consideration if you are deciding on a puppy - they don't know any better and need to be taught what they can and cannot chew on, so I would recommend finding a new home for shoes and slippers, amongst other things that are low enough to the floor or on the ground, until they know their boundaries and limitations within the home.
A favorite topic of mine amongst the German Shepherd communities is: SHEDDING! Now, they are not the only breed that sheds, our beloved Labradors and Retrievers are also huge shedders. If you are not willing to spend the time for grooming (brushing and de-shedding) these amazingly dear canines, or invest in a vacuum that can handle the furry tumble weeds, then I would recommend a dog that doesn't shed as much, or at all. If you decide you don't want a shedding dog, are you willing to spend the time to groom the dog yourself, or take to a groomer for regular cuts/trims? Investigation of the tendencies and seasonal patterns is a must between different breeds.
If it turns out that adopting a canine is probably not suitable for you or your family, then there are other options to consider - different types of pets, or even getting involved with natures creatures, like feeding the birds, squirrels, or chipmunks, of your neighborhood. There is also the option of volunteering at your local shelter, becoming a pet sitter or fostering a pet for short periods of time. There is no shame in not being able to adopt a dog full-time, there are plenty of people out there who don't have the time to dedicate to a furry friend. There's all kinds of information out there on all different breeds of dog to make informative decisions.
-The "Shark" Amongst the Paws
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