What is the best dog for me? Different breeds discussed by experts
Finding the perfect dog is a dream for many but there are a number of things to take into account when thinking about your future best friend.
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For many people, having a four-legged friend is a dream they’ve held from a young age.
But there are a huge amount of things to take into consideration before you commit to having a forever friend. Your little mate requires not just your love, treats and pats.
Different breeds have a lot of different requirements, and some of those quirks might surprise you. Before diving in and strapping a leash to a cute pooch, it’s worth finding out what you’re getting yourself into.
Some dogs need a lot of exercise, whereas others actually require minimal running due to breathing issues which can cause overheating. Some dogs like to be outside a lot to ease their anxiety, a personality trait which can be a common symptom in their breed, whereas others love to be in an inside environment, spending most of their time fawning all over their owners.
Veterinarian an co-owner of the Inner West Veterinary Hospital Dr Angela Phillips, and RSPCA NSW Sydney Shelter Team Leader Ellie Siemsen told news.com.au that different breeds and mixed breeds of dogs are varied to suit different households.
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BEST DOG BREEDS FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG KIDS
“The poodles and other ‘oodles’, the voodles, moodles and spoodles, are really good with little kids,” Dr Phillips explained. She said having a lighter frame makes them easier to control, they shed less hair which makes house keeping easier for mums and dads, and they are “generally of a good temperament and a good-natured dog”.
She added the most important thing people with children and families needed to keep in mind was the time they had available.
“If you have something like a little Jack Russell terrier, (they’re) a lovely little dog, but if you don’t have the time to take it to the park and exercise it because of lots of commitments, that might not be the suitable dog for you,” Dr Phillips said.
“You need lots of time to give those running and ball-chasing dogs,” she said.
“You might not have an hour a day to spend at the park.”
Families with young children should try to always supervise animals around their children, as opposed to being too concerned about a “particular breed”, advised Ellie Siemsen from the RSPCA.
BEST DOG BREEDS FOR FAMILIES WITH TEENAGE KIDS
According to Ms Siemsen, most breeds can be suitable for families with older children, but having a dog that is “easy care” is likely to make the dog a better fit to a wider range of circumstances.
Once a family has older children, Dr Phillips said medium sized breeds are more appropriate, and recommended beagles, labradors, golden retrievers, groodles, boxers and other medium-sized cross breed dogs.
“They’re all good dogs and nice natures, but they (do) need exercise and running,” she explained. “They won’t be happy sitting at home, watching you play computer games.”
BEST DOG BREEDS FOR APARTMENTS
For city and apartment dwellers, there are dogs which Dr Phillips described as being more “owner-orientated”, such as chihuahuas, papillons, toy poodles, Maltese terriers and dachshunds. She also noted dogs like British bulldogs, who because of their breathing can’t be overexercised, especially in summer.
“They’re not a bad dog, if you’ve just got a small outdoor area, and you’re only going to walk it on the lead. They’re not going to go berserk at a park anyway,” she said.
Ms Siemsen said rescued racing dogs can be wonderful dogs for apartment dwellers.
“Greyhounds are great apartment dogs as they can be quite chilled most of the time, or a smaller breed of dog,” she said.
She explained not all dogs require running, but do need “lots of mental stimulation like Kongs (toys) and dig pits when they are left alone. Most importantly they want to be involved in your daily life.”
BEST DOGS FOR LAZY PEOPLE
Dr Phillips explained certain breeds of dogs affected by partially obstructed airways, also referred to as a “Brachycephalic airway syndrome”, or “pushed-in face dogs” simply don’t move air around as effectively as other dogs.
“Dogs don’t sweat, so they lose heat by breathing (or panting),” Dr Phillips explained.
She said breeds affected with this syndrome, including French, British and Australian bulldogs, don’t do well with hard exercise, and are at risk of heat stress or exhaustion.
Walks can be done in the early morning or night, and she urged owners to bring water bottles with them to spray on their dogs body to aid in cooling.
IS IT BETTER TO GET A PUPPY OR ADULT DOG?
Dr Phillips explained that with a puppy, owners really have to be prepared to put a lot of time in to train the baby dog. She said there’s obedience, toilet training and a number of other factors to take into account when taking on a puppy.
“You can’t blame a puppy for chewing your shoes — it doesn’t know any better,” she said.
“But if you’re happy to do that, that’s great.”
Ms Siemsen agreed, comparing a puppy to a baby. “Puppies do need more attention and care than older dog as they are babies,” she said.
“Older dogs are suited for all types of people,” she pointed out, adding it was about “matching your lifestyle with the need of the animal, making sure it’s a good match”.
Dr Phillips said older dogs were often “more settled” but new owners take the risk of not knowing their background, and the dog may have a “history” that would require work.
Originally published as What is the best dog for me? Different breeds discussed by experts