How to Choose the Perfect Dog Breed To Match Your Lifestyle

Do you want to own a dog but are unable to decide which breed to choose? Don’t worry, we are here to help you with that. Today, we will categorize various dog breeds based on your specific lifestyle requirements. Considering a dog according to your lifestyle is an excellent idea because this way you can take good care of your dog as it matches your lifestyle.

If you are an active person, consider an active dog; if you stay away from home for long hours, consider an independent dog; if you have other pets, consider a tolerant and friendly dog. There are numerous options for dog breeds to bring home.

Factors to Consider while Choosing a Breed according to your Lifestyle

Choosing the right dog breed can be hard but with the right approach, you can find a perfect one. You need to consider a few factors that define your lifestyle and then list all the breeds that can be appropriate for you. Once you are done with the list, ask your heart which dog you really want.

You don’t need to be all logical every time, sometimes you have to follow your heart (let your heart take control only when you are done with the brainy stuff). So, let’s move on to the brainy stuff, that is to discuss the factors that affect your lifestyle so you can choose a dog that matches it.

Living Situation

Your living situation means whether you live in an apartment or a house. Apartments are usually compact and lack a garden space, while houses generally have more space and a backyard or a front yard. These factors can greatly affect the choice of your dog breed.

If you live in an apartment, then you should consider a small dog like a bulldog or a dachshund. Small dogs don’t need much space and can easily fit in your apartment. Since they are small in size, the apartment is enough for them to run a little (though taking them to a park makes them the happiest and fit as well).

On the contrary, if you live in a house with a backyard or a front yard, you can consider large dog breeds like a German Shepherd or a Boxer. Your garden can provide enough space and a fun area for your dog to stay active and healthy.

Some popular dog breeds to consider according to your living situation:

Your Lifestyle

Your lifestyle plays a big role in selecting the dog you can have. It matters a lot whether you are an active person who likes running and outdoor sports or you are more of a stay-at-home kind of person who watches Netflix or reads a book for fun.

If you are someone who likes to go on walks, jogging, running, or any outdoor sports, then consider dog breeds like Australian Shepherd or Jack Russell Terrier that can match your energy. On the other hand, if you don’t do much sport and prefer to stay at home while watching a Netflix series, reading a book, or baking a cake, then breeds like Greyhound or Shih Tzu are perfect for you.

Let’s look at some popular dog breeds that can suit your distinct lifestyle:

Family Members

The number and type of members you have in your family can also act as a deciding factor for the dog breed you should own. Some families have elderly people in their houses, some families have kids in their houses, and there are also people living alone or living with so many pets. You can belong to any of the categories and that can affect the perfect dog breed for your house.

If you live with elderly people in your house or you are an elderly person looking for a furry companion, then dog breeds like Yorkshire Terrier or Havanese can be suitable for you. This is because these dogs require minimum exercise and have a gentle nature which is good for senior citizens.

If you have kids at home then you can consider dog breeds that are more playful and patient so they can be a good companion for them. Dog breeds like Golden Retriever and Labrador are some of the most common breeds that are good with kids.

For people who have other pets like cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, or any other dog at home, then they need dogs that are sociable to everyone and are tolerant of other pets. If you belong to this category then, dogs like beagles are best for you.

Let’s see some common dog breeds that can fit into your specific family conditions:

Work Schedule

Whether you work for long hours away from your home or you stay at home most of the time, this can affect the choice of dog breed you should have. If you stay away from your home for longer hours than you need a dog breed, like Chow Chow or Bullmastiff, that can handle being alone and enjoy its own company.

On the other hand, if you stay at home for most of the day, then you can consider a Pug or Poodle that needs constant companionship. These types of dog breeds are good for cuddling when you read your book or watch Netflix.

Some popular dog breeds that you can consider according to your work schedule include:

Your Experience Level

Your experience with pet parenting can also be an important factor in choosing a dog breed for you. If you are a new pet parent and own a pet for the first time, then you need a dog that is low maintenance. This way you can take good care of them because they don’t require much of it.

If you have quite enough experience with petting a dog, then you can go for breeds that require high maintenance like regular grooming and frequent vet visits. In this case, you can consider hunting and working dog breeds like Shetland Sheepdog or Old English Sheepdog.

Here are a few dog breeds you can consider to match your experience level with dogs:

What to Consider About the Breed?

We have gone through the factors depending on your lifestyle that can affect your choice of the perfect dog breed. However, some factors depend on the dog breed that can also affect your decision. Let’s briefly discuss what these factors are.

• Size: Think about whether you want a small dog or a large one. Your house may affect it, but that does not mean that you can’t have a dog of your desired size.

• Age: You need to decide whether you want a pup of a few months or a dog of a certain age who is well-trained because of its age.

• Temperament: This is an important factor in choosing a dog as you need to know whether you want a calm and happy dog or a hyperactive and intelligent one.

• Grooming Requirements: You have to decide whether you can handle a dog with high grooming requirements or a low-maintenance dog that does not shed much and doesn’t need frequent grooming sessions.

• Lifespan: Your dog won’t be with you forever, but it can be with you for its entire lifespan. So you need to decide whether you want a dog with a small lifespan or a long one.

• Health: Many dogs have certain health conditions that need proper treatment from time to time. So you need to decide whether you can handle a dog that is prone to health diseases or you need a healthy one.

• Intelligence: Do you want an intelligent dog that can handle your other pets or can handle itself when alone OR do you want a dog that is not very intelligent or a not-so-active dog that does not need to do much activity?

Conclusion

You don’t bring a dog to your home daily. It is a special moment for both you and your dog. That dog will stay with you for quite a few years and thus you need to find a breed that can suit your lifestyle. This is important because if the dog breed does not match your lifestyle then you might not be able to take good care of your furry companion.

We have discussed a few factors that can help you decide the most appropriate dog breed for you according to your life schedule. Think carefully and bring a doggo to your home; have fun with it and take good care of it.