What Dog Breed Is Right For My Family?

You have decided to get a pet. You know you want a new puppy. Now it’s time for the bigger decision that needs to be made. What breed of dog will your puppy be?

The “breed” decision comes with many considerations.

Personality

First of all, a potential dog owner needs to think about their own personality as well as the personality of their new best friend. Puppies and their owners should be compatible.

If you are an active, outgoing person, you’ll want a puppy who is the same way. Choosing a breed of dog that is, for lack of a better word, lazy or likes to stay in the house would be an incompatible decision. A few good choices for an active person are breeds like Retrievers or Collies. These breeds of dog are loyal, like to run, and are friendly around other people.

Size

If your looking for a family friendly puppy, you may not want to start out with a large breed puppy if you have small children. Large dogs can accidentally injure children and the elderly during play. If the dog is territorial, like an Akita or a German Shepherd, they may make good guard dogs for your family, but will more than likely not be the best play companions for younger children.

Small breed puppies are more compatible with children and small living spaces. They remain indoor dogs for the most part and as long as they get lots of love, attention and exercise, these smaller puppies do well. Choose a breed like Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Beagle, or Pekingese. They love the attention they get from people and are overall friendly companions.

Long or Short Hair?

Many people want a puppy companion, but don’t have the time or don’t want a puppy that will shed a lot. If you or someone in your house has allergies to pet dander a long haired dog is probably out of the question as well. The puppy for you will have short or smooth body hair that only sheds on occasion which will leave your home cleaner.

If you want a long-haired breed of puppy, be prepared for vacuuming often, maybe even every day in order to keep the hair under control.

Breeds like Weimaraner, Greyhound, Great Dane, Pug, and Dachshund have coats that are sleek and resist constant shedding and are probably the best choice for someone who wants a short haired breed of dog. There are even a few hairless dogs available.

Male or Female?

You’ll also want to determine the sex of your new puppy. While in most breeds, the male is more aggressive, this is not true of all breeds. Males are thought to be more protective of the home and females as well as children, but both genders can have these characteristics. The gender of your puppy is a choice that is up to you.

Popular Breeds

To get an idea of what breeds of puppy other owners have chosen, here is a list that may come in handy. Some of the most popular breeds on this list may be one or two that you have considered already, yourself.