Deciding which dog breed to bring into your home can be an impossible task. After all, as much as you want the perfect dog breeds in your life, you must ensure that you have the right home for them, making it challenging for many prospective dog owners.

That is where we come in, with our brief guide that walks you through the six important factors you should consider when choosing your dog breed. Whether you are looking for a puppy or considering rehoming a dog, we are here to help you ensure it’s the perfect match!

Consider your lifestyle

First, you want to look at your lifestyle to determine what dog breed would be suitable. Consider how often you are home, whether you work long hours or have lots of commitments that keep you out of your home you need to work out how long a dog would be home alone. While you should not leave a dog home alone for too long, some breeds are happy to entertain themselves or snooze for a few hours until you return.

But other breeds are prone to separation anxiety and can become very stressed if you are gone too long. Training can sometimes help with this, but rescuing breeds that suffer from separation anxiety would be better suited to someone whose lifestyle sees them at home a lot, like someone who works from home.

Consider your space

Do you have enough space for a dog? Those living in smaller homes or apartments might want to consider a smaller dog breed that does not need lots of space to stretch out and relax. Larger dog breeds are better suited to larger homes or those with bigger gardens, where they have the space to burn off their energy without feeling cooped up.

When considering the size of your space, it’s also worth considering whether any adjustments would need to be made for your home, like gates on the stairs or a higher fence in your garden to prevent bigger dogs from escaping.

Consider exercise needs

Not all dog breeds need the same levels of exercise and mental stimulation. Working dogs typically need the most, as they are genetically hardwired to be active and constantly thinking, while smaller dogs can usually be satisfied with a twenty-minute walk.

Keeping your dog exercised and mentally stimulated can be challenging, especially if you do not live an active lifestyle. Can you meet the needs of an active dog, or would your current lifestyle be better suited to an older or smaller dog with less exercise needs? Be truthful when asking yourself these questions to ensure you get the right dog for you.

Consider their grooming needs

Every dog has different fur and grooming needs. At the very least, you will need to bathe and brush your dog regularly and take them to regular appointments to have their fur cut and nails trimmed. But some breeds can be more demanding and need daily brushes and monthly grooming appointments, pushing up the cost of your dog.

Are you able to meet these needs? Decide what level of grooming you could reasonably maintain for a dog to help narrow your choice and find the perfect breed.

Consider their temperament

While it is important to consider your dog’s size and energy level, you should also consider its temperament. Consider again your lifestyle and decide what temperament will best match you. Do you need a dog that is good around other people, or is it more important that they can get on with other animals?

You should also think about how often they typically bark, whether they are easily frightened, and if there are health conditions you should know about.

Complete your research

Once you have narrowed down your search, it’s time to get serious about your research. Think about the breed’s traits, meet some breeders or owners, and find out as much as you can about the breed before deciding if they are the right choice for you. When reducing a dog, you can ask shelters about any rescues of your desired breed and learn more about them before deciding if it’s the right choice for you.

Find your perfect dog breed today

While you can consider many factors about a dog to decide if the breed is right for you, it’s worth remembering that every dog is different and can be a little different to the typical dog of their breed. Meet them before agreeing to bring them home to see if you are a right match and can provide the home they need.