It is not uncommon for a person to purchase the most adorable, wriggly little puppy and at the same moment possessing very little knowledge on the characteristics of the particular dog breed that they have just selected. They will have no idea what they are in store for as the puppy develops and matures into adulthood.  This usually results in some surprises regarding their pet’s behavior, temperament and even sometimes its adult size.  So many owners have reported to me over the years that they wished they had known more about the breed that they brought home before they purchased that particular dog breed. It is safe tp say that it is best to be well prepared and informed when you are selecting your future companion for the next 12 years!

In order to help you find the most compatible dog breed matches, before you purchase your next pet, here are some key items that you should take into consideration.

1. Size

All puppies start out relatively small and tiny. However, some puppies will grow into giant breeds that can outweigh their owners. While other puppy breeds will grow very little, eventually weighing less than 10 pounds as adults. Size of the animal is an important factor. You should really take into account the size of your own living space, which can also help determine the dog breed that is suitable for that space.  A husky dog living in smaller apartment is going to be like a bull in a china shop. However, there are many small and even medium sized dogs that can do well in that type of indoor living space.

Also, if you have small children you should avoid the frailer toy breeds of dogs, as they can be quite fragile and easily hurt resulting in both heartache and medical bills.  In consideration to children, it is best to search for a small to medium breed of dog that they can realistically handle. And, on the other hand you should not select a large or giant breed of dog when looking at a pet dog for a child either. Too many parents pair their children with 60-80 pound dogs that are often just too much for them to handle.

2. Purpose of the Breed

One of the first things that you should know about any dog breed that you are considering is what that breed was developed to do in its life. You should find out if your dog was bred to herd sheep, to guard and protect its territory, to sit on laps all day, or if it was bred to flush out and retrieve wild game.  Knowing the purpose that the dog was bred for can make a big difference on what this pet is like to live with inside your own home. Oftentimes, the biggest behavior difficulties people encounter with their pet dog(s) stem from the natural behaviors of the dog breed itself. The corgi owner becomes upset when her dog joyfully herds the children right up onto the couch. The German shepherd owner is distressed when her dog doesn’t let her guests come in past her front door. The Labrador retriever owner doesn’t understand why his dog constantly has his mouth all over everything. It can become very frustrating if you are not prepared to proactively handle the behaviors that come naturally to the dog that you have purchased.

3. Activity

Every dog breed has its own activity level. Most dogs are active, particularly as puppies, but some dogs remain much more active than others throughout their adult life. In order to find the most harmonious match you really should have some idea of how energetic the breed you have selected might be as an adult dog. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, for example is a very sedate dog breed, especially in contrast to a Boxer dog that requires a lot of daily exercise if you are planning to keep your house and life intact! You should take a good look at your own schedule and evaluate how much time you have to set aside for exercising and playing with a dog. Every dog needs some amount of daily exercise, but certain breeds will demand much more time in this area than others. It is important to know before you purchase your pet how much exercise and play time they will require and you can provide to that animal.

4. Temperament

This is an important consideration. Every breed has its own threshold as to what it can tolerate. Some dog breeds are much more forgiving than other breeds, and some dog breeds are much more challenging, even manipulative. This can make the dog more or less friendly to others in the family, particularly important if children are in the equation.

Temperament can also play a role on how easy that pet might be to handle and train. And temperament also factors into how that pet might accept other family pets as well as public outings. Although I staunchly believe that all dog breeds can be well trained and handled, it is fact that some dog breeds are just easier to handle and train than others. If you are a novice first time pet owner you definitely should steer towards the dog breeds known to have the easier, softer temperaments. The same holds true if there are children in the household.

5. Appearance

The physical appearance of the dog breed you choose is only important in considering the amount of grooming that might be required, or any allergies that might be a factor. Shorthaired dog breeds are easy keepers. They require a bath and a nail trim every few weeks and you are good to go.

Longhaired dog breeds however require daily grooming, or regularly scheduled hair cuts. I know two shih-tzus who keep their full coats and the owners need to brush each dog for 60 minutes daily! When they have a bath it takes them 45 minutes to brush and dry one dog.

6. Health

Every dog breed has a list of potential health issues associated with that particular breed of dog. Some dogs, such as English Bulldogs, will have an extensive list, where other dogs are not as prone to as many health problems. It is helpful to know up front what health issues might be a problem for the breed that you are selecting.  Of course there is never any guarantee, and any dog can become ill or encounter health issues that is not associated with its breed. Informing yourself on the health of the breed just makes you able to make a more educated guess on what might be in store down the road with the particular dog breed. Medical bills can be costly and you have limited funds you might try to choose a dog breed that is considered overall more likely to be healthy. And remember the larger the dog breed is, usually the shorter the life span.

Here is a guide that highlights a few breeds in some of these categories!