Choosing the Perfect Dog

Thinking about adding a new puppy or dog to your family? Congratulations! Dog ownership is one of life's most rewarding experiences. Dogs make wonderful companions and friends and can add a great deal of love and joy to your home and family. Before you begin your search for a canine companion, it is very important to do your homework to ensure that the dog breed you choose is a good match for your lifestyle and family. If you're thinking of a mix, it will make your search much easier if you have in mind "something like a lab" or "some kind of terrier."

In finding the perfect dog, a number of questions should be addressed. What is your previous experience with dogs? There are some breeds that are not recommended for first-time owners. How much time and/or money are you willing to spend on grooming to keep a long soft coat free of tangles and mats? Children and dogs can make a wonderful mix... or a very bad one. If you have children, are you prepared to spend time training both the dog and the children to treat each other appropriately?

What size dog is right, how much space do you have and how much exercise can you give your dog are all related questions. Even though large dogs can take up a lot of floor space, they can be quite happy if allowed to expend their energy outside. Some large breeds do not require a lot of exercise and are content lying on the rug in a small apartment. Some small breed dogs only require short walks, while others can be extremely active and a large house may not be enough space to contain their exuberance.

What do you plan to do with your dog? Do you want a loyal couch potato, a jogging partner, or a good watchdog? Keep in mind that only a few breeds were originally designed to be pets. Most dogs were bred to be hunters, herders, guards or some other job which might be contradictory to what you want from a pet.

There are a number of ways to find out "the scoop" on your favorite breeds. A veterinarian is an excellent soruce of information. Talk with people you know about dogs they have had or go to a dog park where you can meet dogs and ask the owners questions. Breed books are available and there are some very good resources on the internet. AAHA's website, http://www.healthypet.com/, is a great place to start. Click on "Find A Pet" to see breed information or take a short quiz to find out the right pet for you. Never buy a dog just because you like how it looks.

If you are thinking about buying a dog for a present, make sure you or the potential owners are ready. You should not get a dog for someone that isn't expecting one or buy one on impulse. Getting a dog is a long-term commitment and should be planned for accordingly.

Whatever breed or mix you choose, remember that no breed is perfect, but researching positive and negative attributes before you get a dog will help ensure the best match possible. A well-behaved, housebroken, quiet, loyal dog doesn't come from any breed, but can be found in any breed, if the owner is willing to work at developing that relationship.

Chad Smith D.V.M.