Small canine companions are an awesome addition to any family if you take the time to choose the right dog for you. There are several things you need to keep in mind when looking for the right small dog including energy level, general health, grooming requirements and the other members in your household.
When you carefully consider the various breed personalities and match them to your lifestyle, you and your small dog will be much happier with each other.
Consider All Members of the Household
What is your family like? Are you a single adult household and lead an active life? Do you have small children? These questions and those like them are very important when it comes to choosing the perfect small dog. If you are extremely active, you will want a dog that matches your energy level. The same rule applies if you are a more laid back person.
Each breed will have its general energy level, driven by the original purpose for the breed. Hunting class dogs will be tend to be agile and full of energy whereas companion dogs are usually more easy going. Terriers, spaniels and hounds have a reputation for being the more active breeds, but you will need to carefully evaluate the energy level of each dog you are considering; there are Lhasa Apsos that excel at agility courses and Schipperkes that love nothing better than to sleep the day away.
How Much Time Will Your Small Dog Spend Outdoors?
Where will your new dog be spending most of its time? This may seem like a no brainer question but realistically some people must leave their pets outside during all types of weather because of work or other constraints.
Small dogs in general do not fare well outside in cold temperatures; however there are several breeds with heavy coats and thicker body mass, such as the Welsh Corgi to help keep them warm. Heat can also be a major issue for some breeds, Pugs and Pekingese suffer greatly in really warm temperatures.
Consider the Hardwired Breed Traits
Each small dog breed will have specific character traits, attributes that the original breeders magnified to suit a defined purpose. The more true a dog’s blood line to the original design, the stronger those traits will be.
Take for example the Dachshund; they were bred as vermin hunters and can be obsessed with digging. This could prove to be a disaster if you cherish a beautifully landscaped yard. Moreover, if your children have pets of the rodent variety, this dog or one of the rat terriers is probably not a good choice either.
Matching Energy Levels
Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the energy level of a small dog and how it fits in with yours. For example, if you have a quiet passive personality, a strong high energy dog will run roughshod over you and the entire house – a recipe for disaster.
Every dog, regardless of breed has an energy level ranging from low to very high. When a breed is referred to as “high energy” such as Boston Terriers, it only means that a higher percentage of Boston’s will be at the upper level on energy. If you are set on a specific breed, with a little patience you will be able to find the best energy match.
The General Health of a Breed
Just as with energy, each breed will have a “general” health profile that should be taken into account. Common illnesses include hip dysplasia, ectropion, epilepsy, cataracts and mitral valve disease, just to name a few.
If you are adopting an adult dog, a health check before accepting the dog will prepare you for some of the issues that may arise. Many of the adoption agencies provide a health report as standard practice. If it is a puppy you are after, your choice of breeder is key to a dogs health.
Absolutely DO NOT buy a puppy from a pet store unless they openly provide the name, phone number and address of the breeder AND you pay them a visit. You want to choose a breeder that researches and tracks the bloodlines and their specific genetic defects when mating two adult dogs. You will most certainly pay more upfront for the puppy, but good genetics could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in vet bills over the life of your small dog.
What Age Is Best For You?
Many people prefer to adopt puppies since they can better bond and train the dog to their specifications. However, puppies are not for everyone as they need a great deal more attention and training than an adult dog.
You might be better served by adopting an older pet if you prefer to skip the chewing, potty training and other puppy specific issues. Be careful with adult animals, especially if you have children. Unless you know the dog and previous owners, there could well be behavior problems that do not show up immediately.
Parting Thoughts
Choosing the best small dog for you is not as easy as just getting the cute one. There are many things to consider to ensure the best fit possible; take your time, do the research, and include an experienced acquaintance or professional dog handler to help you find the perfect match.
23f2
Mae Campbell is an avid small dog enthusiast who has taken to heart the challenge of training small dogs. Domesticated canines have served mankind in one capacity or another for thousands of years, and many believe that without this symbiotic relationship man would not be where he is today. As our association with these versatile animals evolves, the bar for acceptable social behavior is being raised. This means that we, their human counterparts must step up to the plate and teach our dogs the rules and boundaries necessary to be successful in modern societies. Visit http://www.trainasmalldog.com for more tips on how to find the best small dog for you and your family.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mae_Campbell
Ok so 3 more posts today that I’ve dug up – I’m an information JUNKIE on this stuff lately. Give em a browse and let me know what ya reckon. They’re just from a few different sites I’ve been surfing lately that are generally good for information like this…
Allen’s Virginia Boerboels Dog Breeders
Find More: Boerboel Dog Breeders | Find Dog Breeders in Virginia. Allen's Virginia Boerboels Terry Allen VA Phone: 804-449-6259. E-Mail: Allenhound2@aol.com. Pups are here. Known to be the best family and guard dogs. …
One Less Dog Breeder In Oregon
A big thanks goes out to the Oregon Humane Society for taking all these dogs in because the breeder said: that she can't afford to comply with the law's new standard. That just tells you there that they were in it for the money and not …
Oregon dog breeder calls it quits – Examiner.com
Oregon dog breeder calls it quits Examiner.com Portland, OR – A dog breeder in Southern Oregon doesn't have the chops to keep up with the new rules required for Oregon's Puppy Protection Act. The dog … Southern Oregon breeder surrenders …
Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.
Have a great day!
Dog breeds that are most suitable for children are breeds that have a mild temperament and playful attributes. It is important to note that every animal including the canine has its own personality. Therefore any of our suggested breeds may or may not be the right choice for your children. All dog owners must take the time to educate the entire family about the canine. Then do the necessary dog training and child training as well.
It is paramount that parents while making the choice of what dog they wish to include in the family get as much dog information from the breeder as possible. What the bitch and the male’s history are as it relates to kids and aggression. The breeder should assist you in picking a puppy with a mild temperament, one that does not become aggressive with noise and roughhousing. Also it is very important to know and match what environment is best suited for the dog breed itself.
Another important piece of advice is that no young toddler should ever be left unsupervised with your family dog or any other dog. When the child matures and grows to understand the relationship, then is able to utilize the dog training techniques your family is providing, you may then start weaning the supervision. We highly recommend monitoring the results.
Below are our top ten choices we think you should consider and why:
1. The Labrador Retriever ranks at the top of our list. Their reputation as a fun loving family oriented canine is unsurpassed. They are most often good around children of all ages.
2. The Golden Retriever is also an excellent choice for children of all ages. They are often easy going, playful and eager to please.
3. Flat Coat Retriever’s love children and are a great family choice. They are also eager to please and train reasonably well. These dogs adjust well in many environments, so keep this in mind.
4. Newfoundland’s are extremely well suited for children. They have a sweet temperament and love children. They can handle more roughhousing than most dogs and simply go lay down when they have had enough. They always keep a watchful eye over the family and are very trustworthy dog. Environment plays a key role whether one should own a Newfoundland or not.
5. The Saint Bernard is another good choice for children. Saints normally have a very mild temperament and love children. With a little training they become devoted, fun loving companions. Again your environment is an important consideration because of their size.
6. Irish Setters are great family dogs and very good around children. They can be sensitive to a lot of boisterous activity, so keep that in mind. When they have had enough they normally retreat to the comfort of a quiet place.
7. An English Setter is a very good choice for children. They have a mellow temperament and a loving nature. With a little dog training these dogs make excellent companions.
8. Beagles are normally a good choice for children as are many in the hound family. They are usually good around children, love to play. Beagles do have a stubborn streak about them however. They can be a bit of a challenge to train at times but patience will be rewarded.
9. Pugs are normally a good dog for children. Pugs are very patient and fun loving canines that fit well in an urban environment. They do not tolerate interruptions when eating, like many canines. So keep this in mind around small toddlers.
10. The Collie is another great choice for children. They have an even temperament, very docile and gentle. These make great family dogs and are a perfect fit in many environments.
These suggestions are by no means the only dog breeds you should consider. But they are a good start in your attempt to find what breed is best suited for your children and family environment. Please take the time to make informed decisions. Remember that having a canine part of your family will require some consistent dog training. We at dog information blog are dedicated to the canine and dog lovers alike. We hope this information is useful and your feedback is welcome.
21da
To learn more about your dog, visit our dog information site.
Looking for a great dog lover gift? Visit http://gonedoggin.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_McCormick
