There are lots of different dog breeds to choose from, and finding the right dog breed for you and your family often comes down to personal choice and preference. The more that you can find out about a dog breed, the easier you can make an informed decision. For example, if you are looking to lead a super active lifestyle, then you may want to look at getting a breed such as a border collie, whereas if you are looking for a dog that stays in more than out, you may be looking at a greyhound, as these love nothing more than being snuggled on a sofa.
What Is in a Breed?
A lot of people can be put off by certain types of dogs and breeds; however, they shouldn’t be. The breed does not tell you what the dog will be like; it just tells you what characteristics or traits it may have. A dog breed should be used as a guide when you are choosing a dog, and you should take your time to weigh up the potential pros and cons of all dog breeds before committing to one. When you are looking at breeds, it is important to look for underlying issues and even well-documented ones. For example, German shepherds often suffer from hip problems, and they also may suffer from poor backs. Getting as much information about breeds as you possibly can will help you weigh up the pros and cons for yourself.
Diet and Food
Depending on the size and the breed of your dog, its diet will vary. Of course, if you have a larger dog, you will be finding you will be feeding it more than you would if you had a smaller breed such as a Chihuahua. The diet and the food that you feed your dog is important because it can affect how your dog looks and how it feels. You need to take these recommendations and take the right dog food according to your dog’s breed because this way, you can be sure that you are giving your dog all of the nutrients, vitamins, and protein that it needs daily. Good quality food will leave your dog’s skin and coat feeling smooth and shiny, and it will also keep it trim and in shape. Poorly produced foods can bloat your dog’s stomach, and they can also leave them with dull and quite lifeless-looking fur and coats.
Space and Time
As breeds vary so much in size, the time and space you need for your dog will also vary too. Larger breeds of dogs, such as retrievers, will require more grooming and more time for feeding and exercise, whereas smaller breeders, such as terriers, may need less feeding, but they may need even more exercise. There is no such thing as a perfect balance when you get a dog, and you may need to make a compromise to get the breed that you want and to get the breed that fits in with your life. All dogs take up time, and you have to think about how much time you have available. For example, do you have a couple of hours a day to walk a husky dog, or would you prefer one smaller and shorter walk a day with a greyhound? You have to think about your lifestyle, as well as the breed of dog, to ensure that you get the perfect match.
Issues and Problems
Some dogs can have more problems and issues than you may have foreseen. For example, breeds such as pugs have been extensively bred. Over time, the breeding has caused them to have facial defects and breathing issues; these issues may not sound like a big deal, but they will affect the quality of your pug’s life, and they will also affect how much you have to visit the vet. Vets are not cheap, and if you cannot afford to visit the vet regularly, you should try and look at breeds that are not known to have lots of issues or underlying problems.
Nutritional Requirements
Within all breeds of dogs, the nutritional requirements they have will vary, and this is something that you must take into consideration. Nutrition is important for your dog’s health and happiness, and it is important to consider nutrition when you look at the breed. For example, some dogs have higher nutritional needs and requirements than others. Now, this may not mean a lot to you until it comes time to feed your dog. Different nutritional needs and requirements will mean that you will have to create and tailor a diet for your dog. Tailored diets can be costly and timely, and is this something that you can continue and stick to?
Coats and Shedding
All dogs malt; it all just depends on the season and the breed. If you are super house proud, then you will want to look for a breed that malts less, perhaps a breed with short furs, such as a greyhound or a lurches, whereas if you are happy to have your home full of hair, you will look at a setter or a retriever. Of course, there is more to a breed than how much it malts or sheds; there is also the maintenance factor too. Grooming and de-shedding of long coats can take time, and sometimes this may need to be done at least twice a week. Factoring in how much time you have to groom and thinking about shedding should be a top consideration for choosing a breed.
All dogs have their unique personalities and traits, and you mustn’t get bogged down too much solely focusing on the breed. The breed can tell you a lot about a dog’s history and its past and any future problems you should be wary of. Taking time to learn as much as you can about the difference between dog breeds will ensure that you get a breed that is suited to you and your family. Some dog breeds are meant to be house pets while other breeds can be trained to become guard dogs or protection dogs. If you are looking for a personal protection dog for sale, then click on the link. Dogs are a lifetime commitment so take time to make the right decision.
