Chihuahua Supplies

Although dogs have been domesticated for a long time now, their personalities still differ from one breed to the other. Chihuahuas are cute, but did you know that they are not suitable for families with small children, because of their territorial and impatient nature?

So how do you go about choosing the right dog breed for you?

You must sit down and carefully consider what your lifestyle is like, and how much time, money and space you can dedicate to your new companion. How you live and who you are as a person, will dictate what type of dog will suit your lifestyle, your own personality, and your accommodation. DON’T make the mistake many new dog owners make and just pick a puppy ’cause it’s real cute. . . you are likely to clash later. . .

Here’s a simple checklist of the most important considerations when choosing the right dog breed for you.

Your Living Arrangements

Do you live in a one-bedroom apartment or a house? If it’s the former, go with a small-sized pup like a Pomeranian or Toy Poodle. If your area is large enough for a medium or large dog, you can choose breeds among German Shepherd, Golden Retriever or even a Great Dane.

Your Family Arrangements

Do you have children or do you live alone? Some dogs work well with children like Golden Retrievers or Siberian Huskys. On the other hand, some dogs are aloof especially with children like a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier. You also have to take into account any pre-existing pets in your household. If you have cats or bunnies you need to make sure the new puppy you bring in is tolerating.

Activity Levels

If you’re the type who loves outdoorsy stuff like running or hiking, the best breed for you might be American Foxhound, English Setter or even a Standard Poodle. But if you’re the type who loves to stay at home and rest, these breeds might be suitable for your lifestyle: Chihuahua, Basset Hound or Pekingese.

Match the breed to your existing activity levels – be truthful with yourself. If you spend your nights infront of the TV, but you’d love to start walking in the evenings, don’t get an overly active dog in the hope that it will motivate you. . . These type of plans usually fail, and then you’re left with a dog that’s unhappy and destructive because it is bored and locked up most of the day – be realistic.

Grooming and Food Expenses

It’s kind of logical that large dogs consume large amounts of food and small dogs consume less. But you’d be surprised at just how much a Grate Dane needs to eat in a day. So when considering a dog breed, and you’re unsure of their food requirements, give your vet a call and ask him to advise you.

Another cost to consider when getting a pooch is how much grooming will he need. With some of the shorter coat dogs, you can do the grooming yourself. But dog breeds like Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, and the Yorkshire Terrier needs daily grooming – and at least monthly taking to the doggy parlor. So take into account the time and money you’re willing to spend on caring for your dog.

Trainability

Different dog breeds take different amounts of time to obedience train, so consider if you feel you’d want to train your puppy, or if you don’t really mind a whole lot.

Vet Bills

OK, taking a dog into your care is a big responsibility. You have to love it, feed it, groom it, but you also have to make sure its health care is also looked after. In that respect, cats are much easier to take care of.

Vet bills are a big chunk of what you will spend on your pooch over your joint existence, so you need to carefully consider if it is something you can afford month after month, and year after year. There’s nothing more heart-wrenching than having to let go of your beloved pet 5 years into your relationship, because you’re having to choose between vet bills and feeding your children.

Sounds extreme, but it is a serious point. Make sure you find out how much it will cost for vet visits, vaccinations, treats, and toys. Then consider taking pet insurance just in case something goes wrong and you need cash for treatment.

In conclusion – take your time to choose a suitable canine mate. Consider that your dog is likely to be a part of your life for the next 15 or even 20 years. That is pretty permanent – so don’t leave it to chance. Make sure your personality and lifestyle suites the dog breed you choose and you’re more likely to have a hassle-free loving and lasting relationship with your dog.

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If you are thinking about bringing a dog into your home you should be aware that this is a life changing decision.  As with all major changes in lifestyle you should first do your research and weigh up the pros and cons to ensure you come to the correct decision for you and your family, and of course, the dog you eventually choose.

For the sake of this article I am assuming that the decision to bring a dog into your home has been made, and you are now trying to decide which breed you should go for.

To help focus your mind it is advisable to write down a list of questions and answers which apply to your current and (expected) future lifestyle/situation. You should also write down a list of dog breeds you like so you can find out more about them as you perform your research.   Be prepared to add additional breeds to your list as you are certain to come across breeds you have never before heard of. Doing so will help you make an informed decision.

Why do you want a dog?

Most people want a dog for companionship. For people living alone a dog can often be perceived as the perfect partner; it offers unconditional love and affection and all you have to do is feed, water, walk and love it in return – and that is very easy for a dog lover to do.

If you are the parents of a single child, a dog can be a great companion for the child and a dog can instill confidence in children with special needs or learning difficulties.

How much space is there in your home?

Think about the space you have available to you. If your home is fairly small, doesn’t have a garden or yard where a dog can be exercised and you are not keen on going for long walks, you should be looking at smaller dog breeds which do not require much exercise – Chihuahua, English Toy Spaniel, Pekingese or Bichon Frise could be ideal.

Just because you have a large house and huge garden don’t feel as though you need to have a large dog to fill it. You don’t want a huge dog such as a Bullmastiff slobbering all over that precious sofa or expensive carpet do you?

Do you want your dog to be a friend to your children?

If you have children in your home it is important to take a dog’s temperament into consideration. Some breeds, such as Labrador and Golden Retriever have an outstanding reputation as family pets. They can be poked, prodded, dressed up, chased and used as a plaything without ever becoming aggressive.

However, that being said, you cannot assume that these breeds (or any other) will adhere to stereotypes without proper training and exercise.

How much excercise can you give your dog?

And not just now, but in ten years time. This is quite a major factor to consider. If you opt for a breed of dog which has lots of energy and requires copious amounts of daily exercise, such as Doberman Pinscher, Border Collie or Newfoundland and you don’t deliver, you could be opening yourself up to a troublesome relationship.

In ten years the dog you choose will still require excercise, it won’t be as much as when it was younger, but again, you should be asking yourself if you will still be able to deliver? Will your  age or mobility be a factor you?

How much can you afford to spend of dog food etc?

Big dogs require lots of food, lots of food requires lots of money. Take into account your budget and work this into your list of questions and answers. If it is a long time since you last owned a dog, or you have never owned a dog, do some research into the cost of dog food and the amount required to feed to the breeds you are interested in. You might be surprised at how expensive feeding a dog can be.

How sick can a dog get?

Some dog breeds could cost you a lot of money in vets bills if you choose one that is susceptible to an array of illnesses. Doing your research before you buy could save you a lot of money and emotional stress. The last thing any dog owner likes to see is a poorly pet.

Don’t forget your holidays!

If you like to leave the country for a couple of weeks each year, you have to consider how the dog will be taken care of during that time. Kennels is a good option, but it is an added expense. Family members or friends are also a good option, but it is best not to take anything for granted.

How easy is it to train a dog?

Dogs that have been bred to assist humans are the easiest type of dogs to train – working dogs, herding dogs, hounds and terriers. These breeds have always worked alongside humans and follow commands very well.

Training a dog should start at a fairly young age and you should follow tried and tested methods. Dog training should only be done when a dog is in the right frame of mind; if you cannot get the attention of the dog it is best to have a break for a few minutes then come back to the task.  

Dogs that have been bred to fight or protect are often much more difficult to train and control.

If you are looking for a dog to become a family member or to provide company to your children, a Rottweiler is probably not the best choice for you. If you are a man living alone in a rough part of town, then maybe a Rottweiler is the best dog breed for you.

Choosing the best breed for you is about understanding your circumstances, expectations and lifestyle. Select wisely and you will experience a fantastic relationship, but make the wrong decision and it could be one of the worst times of your life.

There are loads of websites around which can help you choose the best dog breed for you, but please do your research before you make your decision

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Did you know that there are several hundred dog breeds? With that large number of breeds to choose from, how do people manage to decide which breed is right for them? Luckily, you can narrow down the choices and find the right dog breed by following a few simple steps.

First, consider your available space. Do you live in an apartment? If so, you will want to rule out large dogs. Look for dogs in the Toy group, such as Yorkshire Terriers, or some of the smaller dogs in the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.

If you have children, you will want to consider the size of your dog, as well. Very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese, can be very delicate and are often accidentally injured by young children. On the other hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards, can be overly boisterous as puppies and can accidentally turn your child into a human bowling pin. Consider medium sized breeds, such as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos, instead.

Next, consider how much exercise you can give your dog. If you have a home with a fenced yard, your dog will be able to get some exercise on his own. However, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups are very high energy animals and you will need to have enough time to provide them with more intensive exercise. Plan to take a lot of long walks with your dog or go for a daily romp in the park. After all, these dog breeds were bred to work hard and don’t do well unless they have a job to do or a way to burn off excess energy.

Finally, don’t forget to consider grooming needs. Some dog breeds only need a half hour or so of grooming a week, while others need to be groomed for an hour a day. If you are short on time, don’t buy a Standard Poodle or a Maltese, unless, of course, you plan to take your dog to a groom. Breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets are good choices for people who don’t have time to do a lot of grooming.

Once you decide which breed of dog you want, you will need to consider the age of the dog. Many people opt to buy a cuddly little puppy instead of an older dog. While puppies have not developed any bad habits, it will be up to the new owner to be sure that the puppy becomes housebroken and obedience trained. Older dogs are frequently already housebroken and usually have some obedience training. They are also more likely to be less hyper and less destructive. However, they can have behavioral problems or health problems that prompted the former owner to find them a new home.

Do you want to buy a puppy? If so, you will need to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the breed you are interested in. Often, a good breeder will have a waiting list for puppies. If you aren’t the patient sort, you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. However, many pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have genetic health defects, bad temperaments, or other problems. It is usually safest to buy a puppy directly from the breeder.

If you are interested in an older dog, you may want to visit your local animal shelter or call a breed rescue. These groups evaluate the dogs’ health and temperament before adopting them out.

Once you’ve narrowed down the breed choices and have decided which dog is right for you, don’t get too relaxed. After all, you still have one more important decision to make, what to name your new companion!

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Dog is a person’s best friend, though popular sayings might lead you to think otherwise. Men, women and children can all benefit from the loving companionship of a furry canine family member. However, how exactly can you go about choosing the perfect dog for you? You may be thinking a dog is simply a dog and how hard can it be to choose, you just take the one you think is cutest right? If that was your plan for finding a pet, you are probably not ready yet! Instead, you need to carefully consider the different breeds available and choose an animal that best fits in with your family life and personality.

Environment

The first thing you need to consider is the size of your home and yard. Large breeds like Doberman’s, Mastiffs or German shepherd’s will need quite a bit of room to stretch their long legs. As a general rule, these dogs are not suited to total indoor life or apartment dwelling. If you have little or no yard but still want a dog for company, you should consider a smaller breed like the Chihuahua, pug, or miniature poodle. Of course, you can split the difference with a medium size dog such as a basset hound, Welsh corgi or Samoyed.

Children

Do you have or plan to have children in the near future? Certain breeds are simply not ideal when it comes to interacting with small children. A Golden Retriever, Saint Bernard or Labrador are excellent choices for children of all ages. Of course, you can raise any dog to be tolerant of children with proper training of both the animal and the child, but this takes added time and there are breeds that just do not have as much patience as others. This is perhaps one of the biggest factors you should take into consideration before getting a new dog.

Pure Bred or Mutt

The animal shelters are overflowing with dogs of all ages that need a home. The problem for some people is these animals are generally mixed breeds and it can be difficult to determine character traits plus you can never really know how a dog has been raised which can also affect how they behave.

On the other side of the fence, there is the purebred dog. Most of the time you will have a good idea of the main characteristics based on their bloodline alone. The down side is many purebred dogs are very expensive and it seems like the purer the bloodlines get the more prone to inherited disease they are. The healthiest dog you will ever find is your garden-variety mutt.

Personality

Finally, when you are choosing the perfect dog for you and your family you have to take your personality and lifestyle into account. Are you an active person who loves to hike, play sports and generally stay on the move? Alternatively, are you more of a couch potato who likes to spend an afternoon with the television and game console? There are dogs that can fit into either of these two personality and lifestyle traits.

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