There will probably come a time in every family’s life when the subject of a dog will come up. Whether it’s the kids who have realized that they want a new pet or the adults who feel that a dog or puppy might be exactly what everyone needs, a discussion will have to take place. This is a big decision, and determining whether or not a dog is right for your family is something that needs to be thought carefully about and only acted on when you know for sure that a dog in your home, your yard, and your life, is going to work out.

Once you have made this initial decision, it’s easy to think the hard work is over and you’ll just head to the shelter or look online for puppies for sale and pick up your new family member without any more discussion. However, the truth is that there is one other question to talk about; you need to make sure you’re picking the right dog for your family. Since dogs come in so many different shapes and sizes, there is sure to be at least one breed that will work best for you, but which one is it? Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you narrow down your options.

Photo by Joséphine Menge on Unsplash

Size

The size of the dog you bring into your home is an extremely important thing to consider. A large dog is going to need plenty of space, and if you have small children you’ll need to think of their safety too; a big, playful dog could easily knock a toddler over and hurt them without meaning too. A smaller dog might be a better choice if you don’t have a lot of room or your family is a young one.

Equally, a small dog might not be quite as enjoyable for an active family who loves going out for walks and adventures; they will tire more easily than a big dog would, and need less exercise. So in this case, assuming you have the space, a larger dog would be better, giving the family the enjoyment they want from it and letting it be a big part of the family.

Do your research before just picking any kind of dog that looks cute – if you want it to fit in with your lifestyle and become a valued member of your family for many years to come, choosing well at the start is essential, and size is a crucial component of that choice.

Breed

Once you know what size of dog you’re interested in having in your home and in your life, you’ll be able to look more closely at the different breeds available that will fit with the choice you’ve made in this regard.

Whether you decide to buy a purebred lab puppy or a rescue dog from a local shelter, the breed is crucial. If you have children, you’ll need to find a breed that is calm and gentle, for example. Each breed has a different personality, which is why research has to be done on this topic; no matter how much you might like the look of a specific breed, if the personality isn’t going to work with your family, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Another consideration when it comes to the breed is the type of fur it might have. There are long-haired dogs and short-haired dogs; which will be best for you? There is a lot of work involved in taking care of a long-haired dog, and they can cause allergies too (or exacerbate already existing ones), but they look beautiful, and they are lovely to pet. A short-haired dog is easier to take care of, but will it be what you’re looking for?

Budget

Owning a dog is not something you can do for free, and from the purchase to the upkeep, there are many different costs involved. Can you afford to be a dog owner? When you’ve narrowed down your options you will need to look more closely at the cost of the dog. Firstly, there’s the cost of the animal itself; this is the first thing to think about, as this will differ from breed to breed.

After that, you’ll need to think about the ongoing costs such as food and vet bills and, for long-haired dogs, grooming. It’s crucial to know how much this will cost each month, and over the course of a year. Since most dogs will live for between 12 and 15 years, you’ll be able to work out roughly what the cost will be over its lifetime. Can you commit to that?

If the cost is coming out higher than you might be comfortable with, you’ll need to go back to the beginning and start your search again. Although this might mean that your search for the right dog takes longer, considering how long it will be with you and how important it is to get the decision right, it’s worth doing right.

Where To Buy Your Puppy

If you have decided that a purebred puppy is the right option for you, you should make sure you research the right place to buy it from as well. Unlike going to a shelter, there are some important considerations to think about when it comes to dog breeders. One of these is whether or not the breeder is reputable. To find out about this, check online and with the American Kennel Club.

When you speak to the breeder (which you should always do), ask the right questions including whether or not they socialize their puppies, if there are any health problems (and whether the litter has been tested for the most common breed issues), where the parents are and if you can see them, and whether there are any guarantees.

The answers to these questions will help you to know that you’re dealing with a proper dog breeder and not just someone whose own dog happened to have puppies; they are very different things.