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Choosing A Dog That’s Right For You

Things To Think About When Choosing a Dog

Bringing a dog into your life is a long-term commitment, so take time to weigh what suits your household. Will your new companion be small or large? Male or female? A snuggly lap dog or a rugged, active type? A purebred or a mixed breed? These questions shape the right match for you.

Match the Dog to Your Space

Think about how much room you have. With a big backyard, you can pick a dog that needs space to run. In a small apartment, a toy breed may be a better fit, though exercise needs are not decided by size alone. Plenty of small and medium dogs need lots of room to run. Chihuahuas are a good example: they may be the smallest breed, but they are quick and truly love to run.

Companionship and Attention

Some breeds are true companion animals. They dislike being left alone and will whine and cry even for short stretches. They crave attention. Many owners work with a dog in their lap every day, sometimes more than one.

Competition and Dog Shows

Are you the competitive type? Agility competitions are wonderful events for both owner and dog. If you prefer a calmer pursuit, showing dogs may appeal to you, such as a Yorkshire Terrier in the show ring. The DOGSHOWS 101 e-book covers tips on entering shows, the world of A.K.C. dog shows and what to look for, classes, points, the Group Ring and how to get there, plus baiting, stacking, gaiting and crating. In an easy-to-understand PDF download, DOGSHOWS 101 guides you toward becoming a successful, happy exhibitor instead of a frustrated one.

Download DOGSHOWS 101 Here!

Explore Breeds Before You Decide

Choose a dog that fits your interests, and choose with care. The Chihuahua Breed Selector Tool by TrainPetDog can help you narrow things down. With so many breeds available, you may want to see pictures of the most popular dog breeds along with their descriptions. If a Toy breed is on your mind, read about and view pictures of six small breed dogs, including the Papillon, Maltese and Shih Tzu. Another site worth a visit is Dogster, packed with information for dog lovers.

Golden Retriever running through an agility tunnel
Agility events suit active owners and dogs
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Choosing a dog is a lifetime decision.

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