Thursday, March 29, 2012

How to Choose Your First Dog


Photo By smlp.co.uk

By 

Once you've decided that you are ready to have a dog in your life, the next step is to choose the right one. But how do you choose your first dog? There are many things to take into consideration, including the breed of the dog (what breed and whether you want a purebred or a mix), what you will do with your dog, and even gender.
Purebred or mix?
This is one of the decisions you will have to make when choosing your first dog. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and you have to choose which one is the best for you. For example, if you are interested in breeding or showing your dog, it is recommended that you get a purebred. As a result of this, purebreds are generally much more expensive than mixed breed dogs. Mixed breeds, on the other hand, can be found much easier. Mixed breed dogs are much more likely to be in animal shelters as well, so if you are looking to adopt a dog, this would be your best bet.
Should I Adopt?
When deciding on where you should get your new dog, you should definitely think about whether to go to a breeder, a farm or even an animal shelter. This is an important decision so be sure to look at all the options available before you make a choice on the matter.
Breed
The breed of your dog is also very important and ties in with what you want in a canine. For example, if you have small children in the house, you want a breed that will treat your children well and have a lot of tolerance around them like a Labrador or Golden Retriever. If you want a dog to protect your house and yard, then you might want to look into getting a watch dog/guard dog such as a German Shepherd or Doberman Pinscher. If you are highly active and need a companion to run with, you might want to look into getting an Australian Shepherd, or if you hate all the barking and just want a couch potato to keep you company, check out the Borzoi. There are many different types of dog breeds and you have to look around to be sure you are getting the one that is perfect for you.
Gender
The last thing I will mention in this article is gender. Generally, male dogs tend to be more independent (can be more difficult to train but adjusts better to being left alone), and female dogs tend to be more attached (less likely to run away). Good luck choosing your first dog!
For more information, check out Train Your Dog

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