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Choosing the Right Dog for Your Lifestyle

Choosing the Right Dog for Your Lifestyle

Updated on July 28, 2022
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller
DVM, MBA, DACVPM
Woman with Dog

Are you considering adding a dog to your family? The decision to get a dog is exciting -- and sometimes overwhelming. Asking yourself the right questions and researching your chosen breed can go a long way toward helping you and your family find the perfect canine companion.

So, what type of dog is best for your family and current situation?

Dogs come in a wide range of sizes, temperaments, colors, coat types and exercise requirements. Before making a decision on the right breed for your family, ask yourself some honest questions:

woman playing with beagle

What dog will fit your family’s lifestyle?

1. Do you, or does someone in the household, spend most of the time at home? Are you usually at work or on the go?

Some breeds are content to simply sit or lie next to you, while others may need a job to keep them out of trouble and keep their mind busy. If your family is away from home most of the time, perhaps a dog is not the right companion for you right now as they do require a lot of interaction.

2. Do you, or someone in the household, have time for the daily exercise that an active dog requires or are you looking for a dog that wants to nap on the sofa?

Match your dog's exercise needs with your own activity level. Short-legged, slow breeds might get  frustrated with the active jogger, and quick, energetic breeds may exhaust the physically inactive.

3. Are you able to commit to a consistent and involved grooming routine, or would a short-haired dog be more suitable?

No matter which type of dog you get, you will need to keep up with regular grooming (this includes nail trimming!) Some breeds require monthly grooming. Some hairless varieties even need specific skincare, more frequent baths, the regular application of lanolin-free skin cream and sunblock when they go outside. Carefully research your preferred breed's grooming needs.

Another thing to remember is that not all dogs shed. Double-coated breeds, including Golden & Labrador Retrievers, Pomeranians and Shepherds shed seasonally (spring and fall), while single-coated breeds, including Terriers, Poodles and Maltese, do not shed out — their fur is replaced with new growth throughout the year.

Lastly, think about whether you would prefer a short-haired or a long-haired dog. Short-haired coats tend to be "wash and wear," while longer hair will need regular brushing and may need clipping or occasional shaving to look its best and to keep the dog's skin healthy. But when it comes to clean-up, short hair, while less visible, may be more difficult to remove from furniture and rugs than clumps of longer hair.

4. Is your home large or small? Do you have a fenced-in yard?

Some dogs may get all the exercise they need following you around the house. More active dogs like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds need a large yard or access to frequent walks and romps in the park. If you keep an award-winning garden, digging breeds such as hounds, terriers, Dachshunds and Beagles may not be for you unless you can close off a section of your yard or plan to train your dog where it is okay to romp around and possibly dig. Enrichment toys and activities can be great outlet for dogs to showcase some of their natural behaviors. 

5. Do you share your home with young children or an elderly person?

Personality is always an important factor when choosing a dog, but it's paramount if you have children at home. While any dog may have the potential to be a good family dog, some dogs are noted for being particularly kind, gentle and loving around children. Not all dogs love the quick movements and excited voices of young children. Sudden toddler hugs with any dog can be risky so parental supervision and boundaries around the dog/puppy is very important to have. And some young children could be knocked down or overwhelmed by very large and playful dogs.

What about other household members? An elderly person might tend to get tripped up on a small energetic dog with quick movements.

The answers to these questions will help you begin to evaluate breeds. Every dog is an individual, but characteristics provide a general guideline for evaluating the suitability of specific breeds for certain lifestyles.

Evaluating specific dogs

Petco encourages you to adopt your dog from a shelter or another reputable animal welfare organization. If you have a specific breed in mind, purebred puppies and dogs can often be found in shelters. Most animal shelters have both purebred and mixed breed dogs of all shapes and sizes. Additionally, check with local rescue groups dedicated to your desired breed.

Remember, when you adopt an animal, you save two lives: the life of the animal you adopted and the life of the animal you just made room for in the shelter. If you would rather purchase a dog, do your research and be sure to use a reputable breeder who allows you to meet the puppy's parents, knows health issues in the blood line and has a good reputation.

When you have an idea of what characteristics would be compatible with your lifestyle and household, you can begin breed research. For example, Border Collies or Border Collie mixes are very active dogs. Don't have the time to devote to extensive grooming? Then cross a long-haired breed such as a Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa Apso or Collie off your list. Breeds with a penchant for barking — such as the Beagle or a Beagle mix — might not be the best option for apartment-dwellers.

But try not to limit your focus to only the breeds on your list — you might inadvertently overlook the perfect dog for your family just because it isn't the breed that you initially had in mind.

Puppy or adult dog?

There are few things as cute and appealing as a puppy. Getting a puppy allows you to be in on the training at the earliest of stages, leaving little unknown. But puppies also go through many learning  and developmental stages and should be trained in all aspects of family life, including establishing polite manners, house training and bathroom locations. In short, puppies require lots of preparation and Petco Trainers can help! 

Adult dogs will also require time and attention, and don’t assume that they will be already trained just because they aren’t puppies. You may be able to find an adult dog that has been well-trained, but be prepared to spend more time and patience in your search if that’s what you are looking for.

By carefully evaluating your lifestyle and the various breeds and mixed breeds, you'll be able to take the first steps toward finding a dog that will be the perfect addition to your family or household. Many people know almost immediately which dog is for them, while others prefer not to commit right away. Either way, finding a dog to adopt should be a very enjoyable process.

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