How To Decide Which Dog Is Best For You?

There are so many different types of dogs in the world, so it can be overwhelming trying to decide which dog is best for you. Here is some advice on how to choose the best possible dog for you.

The first question you want to ask yourself is: do you want a puppy or an adult dog. Obviously, puppies are irresistibly adorable. However, one thing to consider is that puppies also must be potty trained. And they usually go through a significant biting and chewing stage all of which can take months of consistency to endure and resolve. Some of the advantages are they don't know much about the world yet, and you can be there to teach them everything. It can be very fun and help encourage an incredible bond.

Of course, bonding with an adult dog can be just as rewarding. Although they have a life before you, it's the life they have with you that really matters. While some older dogs may have established behavioral issues from their past life, these can usually be overcome with a little bit of patience and consistency. And many older dogs already come potty trained, and they might already know instructions like sit down.

When you are evaluating a dog, pay special attention to their energy level. This is the single best way to determine if a dog is right for you. Dogs can be rated on an energy scale of level one to level three. A level one is mostly chill. These dogs don't usually require much training because they are so laid back that they are not likely to be as mischievous. It can be challenging to motivate a level one dog to do things like go running or to do dog sports. Level two dog are right in the middle. It all depends on their mood and if they want to be active on that day. These are great for the semi-active person who wants to maybe play fetch with a dog or go on walks with them and then go back to their normal life. A level three dog is the highest energy level dog, and you'll have to commit to significantly exercising them almost daily. Sometimes, level three dogs need to get all that energy out or it can result in behavioral problems. On the other hand, level three dogs are often capable of high-performance activities and complex stunts and tasks. They are not typically for the casual pet parents as they take an extreme amount of time and attention, and they'll probably destroy your house if you don't give it to them. One thing to keep in mind is that when evaluating a dog's energy level, it's normal for many dogs to be super hyper upon meeting you for the first time. But this doesn't mean that they are overall high-energy dogs. Spend some time with them and ask the caretaker about their energy level to get a more complete picture. So, ask yourself what performance level you expect out of your new dog. And more importantly, how much time do you have to regularly get that energy out. That's how you decide what energy level of the dog is right for you. And this should be your top consideration of a breed’s size or appearance.

Next, you'll have to decide what size dog you want. There are pros and cons of both large and small dogs. For example, sometimes larger dogs need more space. Also, the larger the dog, the more expensive his basic needs might be. Smaller dogs often live longer, and they are easier to pick up when necessary. A larger dog might be more likely to ward off strangers, though many small dogs can make excellent watchdogs. Breed is probably one of the least important things to consider when choosing a dog unless you have a strong preference for a particular type. That is because personalities and energy levels vary so widely between all breeds of dogs and even within the same breed. Factors mentioned above are way more important. Also, many of the best dogs on the planet are mixed breed dogs regardless of which type of dog you choose. Make sure you check out your local shelter and rescue groups first, as they have tons of both mixed breed and purebred dogs to choose from.