Monday, January 23, 2012

Choosing A Dog For Family

By Steve Schultz


You want to look at the best dog breed for families first, if you have a family and are considering getting a dog. You see, thousands of dogs get put into shelters on a daily basis, because people do not do their homework when choosing a dog for family.

It is very important to have all family members agree that they all want a dog. If one or two are opposed, then that can spell trouble for the family and certainly the dog. So sometimes the best family dog is none at all.

A big question you should ask yourself is if you have a large sized family. Typically, the larger families will keep the dog occupied longer, and run down their energy levels. Small families can also keep their dog occupied, but on average, not as often as that of a large family. Does your family consist of any small children, or any babies planned ? A dog's life span averages ten years, so you will want a dog that can fit into the lifestyle of a growing family. Any plans to have the mother or father in law move in ? Older people require a special temperament of dog.

So the family has decided either for or against getting a dog at this stage in their lives or in the near future. The next question that has to be asked is if your family afford another member of the family ? With owning a dog comes the fiscal responsibility of the following, emergency vet bills, dog grooming, annual vet bill, yearly shots, annual medication for heartworm and fleas, food, dog treats, any dog obedience training classes, hair cuts (breed specific), nail trimming, dog accessories - collars, bowls, grooming tools, leads, gates, toys and lots of them, dog boarding or pet sitting while on vacation.

Does your family live in a house or an apartment ? If a house, is the yard fenced ? When selecting the best dog breed for families, you will need a dog that will adapt to your home, however big or small. So the size and personality are big factors when selecting a dog. Pure bred dogs make great companions, if they are bought from a reputable breeder, otherwise they can be so inbred that they will have problems.




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