Choose your breed
Deciding to have a new member in the family is a decision that needs to be weighed and matured. It’s a commitment for the dog’s complete life. Our life changes a lot in the 15 years that his life can last.
Important questions to consider for the choice of having a dog or not and also for the choice of his breed:
- Are you going to have children during these years?
- If so, will you have the desire and time to take care of your dog?
- Will you move?
- Have a spouse?
There are more than 175 different pure breeds, registered at the Canadian Kennel Club. 15 years old with a breed that does not suit our needs, our lifestyle, it is long! How easy it is to have a crush for a puppy of any breed! They are all so beautiful and cute! How to resist? Why just do not follow your heart?
Because the personality of your puppy will appear only several months later. The surprise might not please you. It would be wise not to expose yourself to puppies until you have asked yourself fundamental questions.
- Do you want a short or long hair?
- How long do you want to dedicate to his grooming?
- Is there any grooming particular to the breed?
- Are you ready for the costs of regular grooming?
- How big would you like your dog? Very small, small, medium, big? The longer a dog is, the longer his longevity is affected. Their life expectancy can turn more around 8 years old rather than 12-15. A bigger dog costs more for everything: accessories, food and veterinary fees. If you are in an apartment or condominium, when dogs are allowed, there is often a maximum weight to be respected. So finding a place where your big dog is accepted will be more difficult.
- Is there a breed that attracts you more than another? Go read about the temperament of this breed, about its specific needs. Contact breeders for more information. All good breeders in Canada are members of the Canadien Kennel Club. Go visit their site! Jump on all the opportunities to approach people who have this breed.
- Do you want a lazy or active dog?
- Do you want to do activities with your dog?
- How much time a day are you willing and happy to dedicate to exercising?
- Do you want a dog that learns quickly or if it is not important for your activities with him? Each breed has its advantages but also its disadvantages
- If it’s a purebred dog that interests you, I suggest you visit the Canadian Kennel Club website. Here you will find information about dog categories, breeds and a list of breeders that you can contact for more information.
- If it is a dog from a mix of 2 different breeds that calls you, find out about each breed inside the mix. Make sure you love these two breeds and be ready to face the special characteristics of both.
- If saving a dog from a shelter attracts you, the same applies here as for dog mixed. Try to know the breeds present in the mix.
- Ideally, do not go to a shop that sells puppies to learn about dog breeds. Most employees are not aware of the needs and characteristics of particular breeds. They are there to sell a product and could tell you what it takes to get you to buy a puppy. Know also that these puppies sold in these shops could come from puppy mills. Puppy mills keep breeding males and females in appalling conditions. Often conditions are limited to their survival, and we do not want to encourage them.
- A dog may or may not be expensive to buy but it will cost even more during his life with food, accessories, veterinary care, classes … A dog is for all his life. Do your homework and choose wisely a breed compatible with your present and future lifestyle. I wish you a lot of fun in this exciting process!
Lucie-Marie Guilbert