Choosing the Right Dog for Your Lifestyle

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How do you go about choosing the right dog for your lifestyle? Is there really a thing like a bad combination between owner and pet? Which breed is the best for me?

These are things I eventually asked myself as a dog owner. I never really thought about these things when I was younger.

But as I grew older, it became more important for me to ensure that I was choosing the right dog for my lifestyle based on certain life events involving dogs in the past.

Here are some tips on how to become the best human in our dog’s life.

Tips on How to Become the Best Human in Your Dog’s Life

To prevent yourself from becoming just like me, an accidentally bad pet owner, choosing the right dog for your lifestyle, is extremely important.

So here are my tips on how you can be the best human in the world to your dog.

Assess Your Lifestyle

Evaluate your daily routine, living situation, and activity level honestly. Also, try to consider your work hours, hobbies, and social life.

Caring for a dog is a bit comparable to caring for a child, albeit a more independent child than a human being. They’ll only be puppies for a short while but even as adults, they can get in a lot of trouble if you’re not there to supervise them.

Sure, you can monitor them while you’re away, but that still doesn’t compare to your presence being there in their lives.

Dogs need attention. Dogs need love. And they definitely need a lot of your presence for taking them out on walks, feeding, bathing, and giving them general care.

Will your lifestyle allow you to do that?

Financial Commitment

Dogs cost money. Their food alone is going to leave a huge dent in your budget. And don’t even get me started on the cost of grooming, training, vaccinations, and veterinarian fees.

You could save some money by doing the grooming yourself and to some extent, training your dog.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and they have different grooming needs. Some may require regular brushing and grooming while others don’t need as much and are considered low-maintenance dogs.

You can also train your dog by yourself to save on obedience school fees but this will require a lot of patience and consistency on your part. You’ll need a few tools to help you train your dog properly.

While you can do the grooming and training by yourself, I strongly suggest that you leave vaccinations and other medical-related issues to your local vet.

Consider Your Available Space and the Size of the Dog

Your dog will take up space in your home. Now whether he has an area inside or outside your house will still be up for consideration.

Bigger dogs will take up bigger spaces. But that doesn’t mean a chihuahua won’t have the entire run of your house to itself. Small dogs can have big personalities too.

And just remember, dogs need to be let out regularly to expend their pent-up energy.

So, how are you going to house your dog? Will it be an indoor dog, an outdoor dog, or a combination of both?

Can You Match Your Dog’s Energy Level?

There’s a reason why dogs are the second most popular pets in the world. Yeah, I said it. Cats have overtaken the beloved dog as man’s best friend. I wonder if that’s because women love cats… I’m getting sidetracked here.

Anyway, dogs come with different types of energy levels. There are high-energy level dogs like those of the working class like Border Collies, Retrievers, German shepherds, etc.

These guys need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation so they don’t go and rip your house apart because of all the pent-up energy they have stored in their bodies.

For a more laid-back dog, get a low-energy breed like a Bulldog or a Basset Hound. These guys love to lounge around. Surprisingly, Greyhounds are also great for lounging around the house with.

Age Matters it’s the Circle of Life

Are you getting a puppy or adopting an adult dog? Both have their pros and cons. With puppies, you have a blank slate to work with. You can train them to do exactly what you want but it will take time and patience or a lot of money if you’re going to enroll them in obedience school.

Adult dogs on the other hand may already be house-trained and have established temperaments. The sad thing is, the relationship may be a short one and it might include a lot of trips to the vet as they get older.

So, is it going to be a long relationship with a puppy filled with cute headaches or a short one with an adult dog?

Dogs Have Different Personalities and Temperaments

No two dogs are exactly alike. But generally speaking, dogs of the same breed display the same types of personality and temperament. There are breeds that are more loyal or affectionate, protective, or independent than others.

Some are more active.

Some are more laid-back.

And some are clingy while others are aloof.

Try to match your personality with your dog to have a harmonious relationship. It’s going to be a long one. You might as well make sure that you’re compatible.

Socialization and Compatibility with Other Pets

Will your dog fit into your social life? Remember, some breeds are more social and adaptable to various environments. Some dogs are friendlier. Some are more reserved. While others are more territorial.

Will they be able to live harmoniously with other pets? You should also research whether the breed you’re interested in is known for being good with other animals.

Health Concerns for You and Your Dog

The average lifespan for dogs is between 10 to 13 years. This can vary greatly between breeds. Different breeds have different lifespans. Consider the long-term commitment required for the breed you choose.

You need to be prepared for potential medical expenses and ensure you can provide proper healthcare.

Some dogs are prone to specific medical conditions based on their genetics. Your dog could also hurt themselves if their environment is unsafe. There are so many things that could potentially cause harm to your dog and you need to always be on your toes.

And then there are health concerns for you and your family members. If anyone has allergies, you might want to consider hypoallergenic breeds or breeds with minimal shedding.

Do You Have the Time?

Dogs require time and attention. Dogs aren’t just things you buy off the shelf and treat them like objects without needs.

Will you be able to devote enough time to training, exercise, and companionship?

Another thing to consider is if you’re planning on traveling with or without your dog. Some breeds are more adaptable to travel, while others may require special arrangements. You could also leave them with someone to take care of you while you’re away but that’s considered time away from your beloved pooch.

They will miss you.

And dogs do go through separation anxiety when their owner is away.

Laws, Rules, Policies, and Guidelines Regarding Dogs

You need to check if your city or housing has dog breed restrictions or size limits that might affect your choice.

Certain countries, states, cities, and other areas have laws, rules, policies, and guidelines that could seriously affect your ability to choose the right dog for your lifestyle.

You should really consider these before getting a dog because the one you want might not be the dog you can have. Breaking the law is a serious thing. You could just end up surrendering that dog to the authorities leaving you and your pet traumatized.

No one wants that.

Follow the rules and no one gets hurt.

Buy, Rescue, or Adopt?

Many wonderful dogs are in need of loving homes. Now whether you decide to buy, rescue, or adopt is entirely up to you.

Buying a dog is an obvious choice for people who are looking to get a puppy or something breed-specific. There are many reputable breeders who offer top-notch dogs at a great price. Getting dogs from these reputable dealers also ensures that you will get a healthy dog.

And like I said, there are many wonderful dogs in need of loving homes. Adoption houses are great places to find dogs that could be a good fit for your lifestyle. Adoption houses often take in dogs from owners who can no longer care for their dogs.

The great thing about these adoption houses is that they’ll have records of the dog that you’re getting. They’ll also have administered the necessary shots and vaccinations before they release the dog to you.

Adoption houses also have a record of the dog’s temperament and give it a little training to make it easier for the adopter.

Rescuing a dog is a tricky one. It’s a good choice but not one I would recommend to someone who hasn’t owned a dog yet. It’s better to surrender these rescue dogs to adoption houses where they can get the proper medical attention before getting released to a good home.

I would only recommend rescuing a dog if you really know what you’re getting yourself into.

Consult a Vet or Talk to an Expert

Last but not the least, talk to someone. Anyone. A vet, a dog trainer, an experienced dog owner, someone who is an expert. Talk to as many as you can to find out more about dog ownership and what it entails.

The more people you talk to, the more information you’ll get.

There are also countless books and online resources where you can find out more about the specific breed you’re trying to get.

Empower yourself with information when choosing the right dog for your lifestyle.

Nothing Compares to Owning a Dog

Having a dog in your life is a fulfilling experience that you can only fully realize when you actually get a dog. Sure, there will be times when you and your dog won’t see eye to eye but the amount of joy you can get out of dog ownership is incomparable to anything else.

Just remember that each dog is an individual, and while breed traits can be indicative of behavior, there can be variation within breeds.

Take your time in making your decision and consider adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization to provide a loving home to a wonderful creature in need.

Questions

Can I Gift a Puppy to a Loved One as a Surprise?

Although puppies are nice gifts to some people, I strongly suggest against giving one as a gift. Remember, the dog and the owner have to be compatible with one another.

I have a cousin who was gifted a choco lab and although she loved the dog so much, he was just too much dog for a small girl like her. I had to come in on several occasions to take care of the dog for her when it was too much for her to handle.

The best advice I can give you if you’re planning to give a puppy as a gift is to bring that person to where you’re going to buy the puppy and let them choose for themselves while still paying for it.

How Easy is it to Train a Dog?

This varies greatly with each dog. There are certain dogs that pick up on the things you teach them immediately while some may require more time and patience. But I have never met an untrainable dog.

You just have to find a way to work with their personality and inclination to do certain things based on what type of reward they are more receptive to.

Should I Invest in a Training Collar?

Although I’m not entirely sold on the idea of training collars, they do work for certain dogs. And there are certain trainers who swear by them. The results vary but there are success stories that are pretty hard to ignore.

I’m still on the fence on these things but maybe you should still have a look and see if it works for you.

My Story

3 Instances Where I Had a Dog at the Wrong Time

I was 6 years old when I first owned a dog. He was a big mixed-breed dog who despite having a cool temperament was simply too big for me. Plus, I couldn’t bring him with me to Tacloban so I could only spend time with him every summer in Zamboanga.

My sister brought a tiny dachshund home and we all initially gushed over it and took turns caring for it while it was still a puppy. As he grew older, he became our Dad’s pet. We were simply too busy with other aspects of our lives to stay home and care for him.

I adopted a big, pulling-class pit bull while still living in a very small condominium. I was working in the call center so I was away most of the day and she was just stuck waiting for me on the balcony until I got home to feed her and take her out for a walk.

I’ve had numerous other dogs since. But those three instances made me realize later on in life that I should choose the right dog for my lifestyle and not make the dog adjust to it.

Those Dogs Lived Lonely Lives

You see, with Whitey (my first dog), I know he endured long nights of longing because my grandparents and their helpers kept telling me that he howled incessantly at night and was a very different dog when I was around and when I wasn’t.

Despite being surrounded by people, Peanut (the dachshund) must’ve felt lonely too because the persons he eventually bonded with (my siblings and I), weren’t there most of the time. He eventually had to form a bond with my dad simply because he longed for companionship.

Last, Meow-meow, probably lived the loneliest life out of all the dogs I have cared for. I was there but I wasn’t really present for her. My mind was always focused on work and I was only there for her physically to care for her most basic needs.

It pains me to admit it but I was partly to blame for their misery. It took me a long time to care for another dog after that.

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