There are so many dog breeds in the world that it can be hard to believe that the huge St. Bernard and the tiny toy terrier belong to the same species - Canis Familiaris. Different breeds differ not only in size and appearance, but also in character, behavior, and certain qualities. When choosing a dog, you should not be guided by fleeting fashion. You choose a dog for yourself, for your character, not for one season, but for many, many years.
Instructions
Step 1
Do not choose a dog that requires an active pastime if you are not ready for long walks at a fast pace. Breeds such as the Fox Terrier, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier are not suitable for a person who loves home comfort and peace. Skip hunting breeds if you can't imagine an evening without a warm, cozy sofa.
Step 2
Do not take a guard or hunting breed if you do not plan to seriously raise it. Greyhounds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, hounds are absolutely not suitable for the role of a sofa dog and become real neurasthenics without proper training.
Step 3
Think about how much time you can spend at home? If your daily routine does not allow long-term interaction with the dog, give up guard breeds. In your absence, the dog may try to take the place of the alpha leader and become a threat to the children and the elderly in your family. Returning one day from a long business trip, you may find a dangerous and completely uncontrollable dog.
Step 4
Decide what you need a dog for. For walks in nature, for the protection of a private house or for publication, different breeds are needed. This will significantly reduce the list of selected breeds.
Step 5
Be sure to consider the presence of small children in the house or the prospect of their appearance. Many fighting breeds are focused on the constant struggle for a place in the pack. And it is children who will become the first objects of aggression. Do not believe your acquaintances who have a two-year-old son who gets along well with a kind pit bull terrier. A small child will always provoke a dog. And dogs of fighting breeds are a loaded gun, with which one must be able to handle, and handle very carefully. It's not worth the risk.
Step 6
Think about how much time you are willing to devote to caring for a dog, are you willing to tolerate clumps of dog hair rolling on the floor? Breeds such as the Dachshund, Dalmatian or Great Dane require little or no grooming, while Afghan Greyhounds, Poodles or Retrievers need careful brushing or grooming.
Step 7
Think about your neighbors' reactions and the soundproofing of your apartment walls. There are breeds that are silent, such as the Boxer or the German Shepherd, and very noisy, such as the fox terrier, dachshund or lapdog. If the dog is alone at home for a long time, it will inevitably become an object of concern for others. A small puppy may howl or bark loudly to draw attention to itself.
Step 8
Consider the specifics of your habitat. Is there a park, wasteland, dog playground near your home where you can let the dog off the leash? Pay attention to which dogs you see most often while walking.
Step 9
Feel free to ask questions to dog breeders and breeders. Let each of them praise their breed, pay attention to people too. It is no coincidence that it has been noticed that over time, the owner and the pet become similar. Think about whether it is pleasant for you to communicate with this particular owner of a dachshund or chow-chow, and whether you yourself are ready to become a little like the chosen breed of dogs.
