Picking a dog

So you have decided to have a dog in your home and now should come the serious bit where some really important decisions are made. The issue here is that you will have this dog for the next 8 to 16 years and during this time you may move, get married, have kids, get divorced and get married again after moving twice more! The choice of dog is a big issue and there are some fundamental decisions you should make!

What type of energy level is your dog? -

I bet you thought the first decision would be what type of dog do you want? The truth is until you understand what type of energy your dog is, and then what energy level you and/or your family are, you can't know whether you are compatible or not! Dogs are low, medium, high or working energy in my experience.

Low -

The dog that plods along and greets you with a gently swishing tail and waits for a bit of fuss. If he is ignored he will go and lie down without drama and if its raining will probably look outside and go back to bed.

Medium -

An average happy go lucky dog that loves to go out and wants to play at every opportunity. He greets you with a lot of excitement and probably jumps up and generally throws himself about. This dog gets up every time you do and thinks they are going out every time!

High -

Mad as a hatter. Leaps up and goes demented when they see you and takes a lot to calm down. Runs forever and see everything as if it is for the first time! Never seems to fully settle and if not exercised does some daft thing which involves chasing a body part or spinning like a top!

Working -

I include this category as some dogs are high energy but not like the dogs above. They are bred for work and need to be exercised and challenged every day or their natural selection will mean that they are going to be difficult to deal with. Springers can fall into this category and Huskies etc. They are by nature active beyond a normal dog and this needs to be taken into account.

So as a human being, which category do you and/or your family fall into?

Low energy human -

Are you someone who likes to read books and listen to music. Do you enjoy the Theatre or watching Television. Do you like to go for a little stroll and have a coffee. Do you have young children and have lots of visitors. Do you have cats or other pets that need your attention. Do you have a career that means you have little free time and sometimes can only give a quick walk to your dog? In this instance you should match yourself to a low energy dog and it will work like clockwork!

Medium energy human -

Do you enjoy a normal active and busy life with you and your family constantly on the go. Are there always people rushing in and out and up for a bit of a play with the dog. Do the kids love to take the dog to the park with their friends. Do you go for long walks or spend time in the park as a family. Maybe you do a little bit of exercise jogging or cycling and you can take the dog with you, then a medium energy dog is ideal!

High energy human -

Are you a runner as opposed to a jogger. Do you train for the fun run or a marathon. Are you a mountain biker who flies along through the park covered in mud and with flies on your teeth! Do you love the great outdoors and at every opportunity go for a hike in the hills for hours at a time. Do you have a frenetic lifestyle where everything you do is at the double and you live the thrill of a fast paced existence, then you will love and need the high energy dog to match your hectic lifestyle.

Human into outdoor pursuits -

Obviously if you are into dogsled racing or hunting then your choice of dog is more obvious and the issues will present themselves less, as you are satisfying the DNA of the working dog you will find that their high energy although not necessary high energy behaviour lifestyle is perfectly suited to yours and that by fulfilling their in-born genetic needs, you will have a contented dog that compliments your lifestyle.

So to sum up, when picking a dog, the first and most obvious thing you need to understand is yours and your families energy level and what it is you hope to achieve by having a dog, matching his energy level with yours. In that way you will not be disappointed by the behaviour they exhibit!

What breed of dog? -

Now we can address the breed and this should be considered with what category of energy you are and the energy level of the dog you want. Ask questions and google the breed or look it up in a book and do your homework. What was the dog bred for? What are the characteristics of a good example of the breed. Speak to people who own that type of dog and ask them for their opinions of what you want out of that breed and see whether they confirm that the dog is the right match or a definite no-no!

How to choose the dog -

Speak with the breed if it is a puppy and explain the type of energy you are looking for. Don't accept the one that comes straight up and claims you if you want a low energy dog, as this is likely to be an alpha and a higher energy level.

If its a rescue or a gift, speak with the owner/handler and seek their views as to the nature of the dog. Watch how it behaves and whether it is calm or flies at you like a whirlwind. Take it for a walk and see if it pulls like a dervish or whether it trots along contentedly.

If you have the option, can you look after it for a few days to see whether you bond and it matches your family or home lifestyle.

Be honest! If you think you may have got it wrong, then say so and look elsewhere. Don't be sorry for the dog or the sob story you have been given. The owner may just want shot of it and then you will have to carry the can for the next decade or so!

Finally, when picking a dog, don't be tempted to have one because you feel sorry for it! You are picking an important part of your lifestyle for sometime to come and you need to make your decision based on sound thought and judgement. If you pick well you will have no regrets and will enjoy your dog whatever the situation you find yourself in!

Good luck! Please feel free to view my other pages on dog-shop.co.uk to help with any other issues you may have. If you do get the dog of your dreams, maybe i will look after it for you when you go away. Check out lookafteryourdog.co.uk for further help and information. Please pop back regularly, as new pages are being added as and when I can do them!

Happy training
Steve