How to Pick the Right Dog for You

Which dog is right for you?

My guess is that if you’re reading this, you’ve already made your selection and have your canine best friend at your side. Many, however, have decided that they’re interested in adopting a pet, but they’re not sure which one is right for them. Here’s a little friendly advice as you make your decision.

I give you the DoginBlog Four Ss of Dog Ownership:

1. Size
2. Shedding
3. Sportiness
4. Should I get a pure-bred or a mutt?


That last one was kind of tortured, I know. I couldn’t think of an S word that fit. Sue me!

Let’s start by talking about size. There are big dogs, tiny dogs, and everything in between. The size of your dog should be considered in light of the space you have available to accommodate him. (I know I always use “him” instead of “her” is my pronoun of choice in dog descriptions. That’s because, in my tiny mind, all dogs are boys and all cats are girls. Sexist? Perhaps. It’s just easier than warping the text to be gender neutral. If you have a female dog who is offended my canine chauvinism, I apologize profusely.)

If you’re an apartment dweller or have very little space in the backyard, a St. Bernard or a Great Dane wouldn’t be the wisest of choices. It also wouldn’t be fair to your dog. Consider his needs as much as you would consider your own. Tiny dogs don’t necessarily mean less responsibility, either. A small dog is more easily injured and can even be stepped on, whereas if you step on a German Shepherd, you’re the one who’s far more likely to be injured.

As part of size, you might also want to consider your dog’s age, too. Everyone imagines getting a puppy and going from there, but puppies need to be trained, and they require a lot more attention. Adult dogs have a track record and enough training to know what you’re getting yourself into. There are many, many wonderful adult dogs who need a good home, and if you’ve never owned a dog before, it might be a good idea to start out with a dog who knows what they’re doing better than you do.

Shedding seems like a silly qualifier, but it encompasses a good deal of what you’re going to be facing with this new addition to your home. You have to decide if you want a high-maintenance or a low-maintenance dog. Some dogs drool a lot; floppy-eared dogs are prone to ear infections. Do you want to be brushing a dog’s hair on a regular basis - or brushing that hair off of your couch? Don’t pick a dog if you can‘t deal with the consequences.

We’ll address the other two Ss in a future post…