Finding your match: how to choose the right dog (Part 2)

Which one suits you? (flickr/houndz)

Part 2: Your list of candidates

So now you’ve asked yourself the tough questions, and you’ve decided that you’re ready to add a dog to your family. The next step is to narrow down your choices so that you know what to look for when it’s time.

Dogs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and it’s important to pick a breed or mix that will mesh well with your lifestyle. Otherwise, the pet you hoped would be your new best friend could end up seeming more like a really annoying little cousin that just won’t leave you alone.

There are some factors to consider when you’re trying to figure out which types of dogs will work best with you. I highly recommend using these guidelines, rather than choosing the “cutest” or “coolest” dog you can find, as you and your new buddy will both end up being much happier in the long run.

Keep in mind that the suggestions below are general rules of thumb. Choosing a breed or mixed breed is not like picking a car with a particular list of specs. Every dog has its own unique personality, regardless of her breed’s history and standards.

1. Your personal experience level: If you are fairly new to owning and training dogs, this is a really important question. Novice owners should look for breeds or mixes that are most likely to have happy-go-lucky and obedient temperaments. Good examples are the Bichon Frisé and Golden Retriever. If you have owned a dog, but you don’t have much personal experience training them, you may be able to handle a more independent or stubborn breed, such as the Dachsund or Cocker Spaniel. Only expert dog owners with strong training experience should seek out powerful, challenging, and potentially dangerous breeds such as the Shar Pei and Rottweiler.
2. Energy level: Do you jog every day, or is your idea of exercise rummaging around the living room for the remote? Be honest with yourself. A bored dog is a destructive dog, so you want to make sure you can keep up with her activity level – and vice versa. You don’t want her to tire out before you do! So if you’re very active, look for high energy breeds like the Weimaraner or Fox Terrier. Couch potatoes would be happier with breeds like the Shih Tzu or Pug.
3. Temperament around children/other pets: If you have or are planning to have children, choose a laid back, trustworthy breed such as the Boston Terrier or English Springer Spaniel. People with cats or hamsters should avoid the sight hound breeds, like the Borzoi and Whippet, since these guys have a really strong chase instinct and could injure or even kill a small pet.
4. Grooming: Some dogs require daily brushing and regular trims with a groomer (for example, the long and silky Maltese), while others are fine with a quick bath every other week (like the short-coated Dalmatian). Decide how much money and effort you’re willing to put into this aspect of their care before choosing a dog with a high-maintenance coat.
5. Size: If you live in a small apartment, don’t adopt a large, active dog like the Irish Setter. It’s just not going to work unless you can spend half the day taking her out for walks. But she’ll be the perfect companion for the outdoorsman: bikers, campers, and hikers. On the other hand, the little guys are super mobile and will often get a pass at places with ambivalent pet policies, so if you like to take your dog everywhere you go, consider a breed like the Chihuahua. However, if you have young, rambunctious children or other large pets, toy breeds are not a good choice, and you may want to opt for a medium sized dog.
6. General health: Some mixed breeds and breeds like the Portuguese Water Dog tend to be very healthy for the duration of their lives. But if you plan on acquiring a breed like the English Bulldog, you can expect to spend a lot of extra time, expense, and possibly heartache due to serious medical concerns she may face.
7. Shedding: There’s no such thing as a non-shedding dog (unless you give her a regular full-body wax – good luck with that!), so don’t fall for this sales pitch. However, there are dogs that shed much less than others, like the Poodle. If you don’t mind chasing down floating furballs, feel free to choose a breed with a thick undercoat, like the Husky.
8. Guarding abilities: If you need your dog to help keep watch over the house, look for an alert breed like the American Eskimo Dog. Stocky breeds like the Boxer can be a visual deterrent, even if they are friendly.
9. General Temperament: If you had to sum up your ideal dog’s personality in one word or phrase, what would it be? If you’re looking for a puppy, there are no guarantees as to how she’ll turn out when she grows up, but breed standards can help guide us in the right direction. Happy-go-lucky? Try a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Super smart? How about a Border Collie? Intense? Mr. Jack Russell Terrier. Playful? The tuxedoed gentleman, Boston Terrier, is a good bet.

Remember, it’s not necessary to get a purebred dog to know where he might sit on these scales. Mixed breed dogs are usually a combination of the breeds they come from, often leaning heavily toward one breed or the other. If you’re not sure what combination a pooch is, ask the shelter handlers, or take a photo and ask your vet. If she’s a puppy, these professionals should be able to help you make an educated guess about her size, coat type, and some potential personality traits when she’s an adult.

Do some research to narrow down your list to a few good candidates, and when you’re ready to go find the right pooch, you’ll be much more successful in finding your match.

This is Part 2 of a continuing series entitled “Finding your match: how to choose the right dog”. Please watch for Part 3, where we’ll discuss the pros and cons of the adult dog versus the puppy. Please click here to return to Part 1, “Dogs, commitment, and you”. If you would like to contact me with questions or comments, write me at bpatrick@comcast.net.