Choosing the Right Pet Dog for your Family
The joys of being a pet dog owner are numerous; pet dogs provide companionship, entertainment, exercise partners and a source of unconditional love. Unfortunately, some pet owners end up with a dog that has serious behavior problems, or they adopted one that just won't adapt to its new environment, your home. This can cause a serious issue for you and your family, especially if the dog turns unruly, or even worse, violent towards family. Also, some dogs may cause other issues with your family members such as creating allergies, shedding, or causing a lot of messes in your home. Therefore, it's very important to find the right dog for you, your family and overall situation.
The first consideration is whether or not you have a family. If you don't, then you'll really just be worrying about your preferences and needs. You may have relatives or friends who bring children over often, so that may also be an important consideration. If you've got kids of your own, you'll want to consider the dog that is most age-appropriate. Some dogs do great with very young kids, while others may have a hard time. It's true that just about any dog can be trained, but you may want to steer clear of one that isn't kid friendly.
Next up, consider the issue of dog allergies and shedding. Do you mind having a long-haired dog such as a sheepdog or German Shepherd? Or do you prefer to have a dog with short hair, or no hair at all? There are certain breeds of hypoallergenic dogs that you may want to consider such as the Portugues Water Dog. These dogs generally have less shedding and will be more tolerable for those with allergies. You (or the allergy sufferer) may want to spend time around the particular animal when choosing a hypoallergenic dog, so you'll know whether or not that dog will work out for the family.
Another consideration should be the dog's history and breed information. If you're adopting from the Humane Society, pound or another home, you're going to want to know any history the dog has with behavior issues, specific dislikes, problems with other animals, people, kids, biting, fleas or health problems. The former owners or staff at the dog shelter should be able to give you some information to help you out. If a dog has trouble with kids, or a serious health condition, you may decide you don't want to have that dog in your home. Also, a dog may dislike strangers and try to bite them, or frequently is known for attacking small children or other pets. You can research most dog breeds online including the most intelligent dogs, to see which ones may be best for your situation. Evaluate all of this information before making your selection.
Owning a dog can be a great form of stress relief for you and your family, as they'll provide entertainment, love and fun. Careful selection of the breed and specific dog will result in having a pet that the whole family will get along with for years and years.
Yes
No
Flag
Comments
Add a new comment - No HTMLYou must be logged in and verified to post a comment. Please log in or sign up to comment.