There are now so many different breeds of dogs it’s vital to do your research and learn which is best suited for your family, home and lifestyle. It really is worth putting the time in now as your four-legged friend will be with you for many years to come. Our top things to consider are below.
A crossbreed dog is one whose parents are from two different breeds, or a mixture of several breeds. For example a cockapoo (cocker spaniel and a poodle). Crossbreeds often display a mixture of their parents’ traits, so it’s important to take this into account when thinking of buying or rehoming a crossbreed. Knowing the mix of breeds may help tell you more about what your dog might be like physically and in terms of temperament.
A pedigree dog is where both parents are from the same breed and are registered with the Kennel Club or other registration schemes. There is a huge amount of research over the differences between the two, be sure to take the time to review which is best suited to you.
Check out the Kennel Club list of breeds here
Your dog’s personality is what you will come to love and adore. Luckily there has been a lot of research in linking this back to the breed. For instance a Border Collie is typically known as a herder with bags of energy.
This is one the most important factors when considering your pup, can both personalities compliment each other?
Overall male dogs tend to be bigger and ready for a play all the time, whereas females may be needing more snuggles with their favourite human. These are general perceptions and of course this is dependent on each individual dog’s temperament and breed. Whichever sex you choose you’ll need to think about when they reach sexual maturity and neutering (removal of the reproductive system).
Think about if your new arrival will have enough room in their new home. Not only for them to have a space on the sofa (!) but room to stretch their legs in the garden. If you are choosing to crate train and/or play pen this will take up a lot of room as well as all their toys!
Through your research about breeds, you’ll be able to understand more about which size of dog will best suit the members of your family. Will the younger members/other pets be wary of having a large four-legged friend in the house?
Not forgetting food! The bigger the dog the more Nourishing Butcher’s food they are going to need and not forgetting our Naturally Meaty Treats!
Also medication: bigger dogs require a higher dosage of flea and worming treatment for example.
These are just a few reasons why size is an important consideration.
Puppies need shorter walks to start with; check with your vet as they will be able to give you the best advice on how to build up their walkies to avoid too much stress on their growing joints. As a general rule, softer ground has less impact on your dog’s joints, plus a play around the local park is always high on your four-legged friend’s agenda. Be sure to check with your vet when your dog is fully vaccinated and safe to go on their first walkies.
For adult dogs, it is recommended that they receive a minimum of 30 minutes a day of walkies, however, this will vary based on the size, breed and age of your dog – you may want to split this into one or two walks. Dogs should have a least one walk a day, however, if your dog is energetic and has strong joints and no health issues, they may benefit from more.
The type of your dog’s coat is often a key consideration when looking into which breed. Do you have lots of allergies in the home? Are you happy with a malting dog or prefer a non-shedding (hypoallergenic) breed.
Keeping your dog happy and clean is one of the basic must-dos for a responsible pet parent. Dependent on their breed they will need daily – weekly brushing. Be sure to research which type of brush/comb is best suited to your puppy.
It’s recommended every 6 weeks from the age of 6 months to give your dog a bubbly bath and a good coat and nail trim. It’s different for each breed so be sure to take this into consideration as the average cost is £40 per groom.
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