Small
Whether you go to a shelter or rescue operation for a mature dog or to a breeder for a puppy, think in advance about what kind of dog you’re looking for. Go beyond appearance to think about your household and what kind of dog can happily fit in:
- Are you and the other humans home a lot or out a lot?
- Do you have kids? Other dogs? Cats or other non-canine pets? Some dogs are better with smaller animals and “puppy humans” than others.
- How big is your home? How much outdoor space can you offer? Even with daily walks, you might have trouble with an active dog in a studio apartment.
- Is your home more quiet or more chaotic? A calmer dog might have trouble relaxing if your home is lively.
Well Behaved After Exercise
These and similar considerations can help you define your “must-haves” before you go to the shelter or breeder. You want to think about such issues as:
- Traits including:
- size
- hair type
- temperament
- behavior tendencies (such as hunting, protecting, running)
- tolerance for kids and kitties
- Sex
- Age. Though puppies are the cutest thing around, a mature dog may fit into your household more easily than a youngster could.
- Housetraining
- Training in general – a dog whose owner has passed will be different than a dog who’s never had an owner.
- Purebred. Do you need a dog who is AKC registered?
Quiet
Agree, as a family, what the top 1-3 “musts” are. Talk to breeder or shelter staff about your needs. They know their dogs and can steer you in the right direction.
If you already have one or more dogs, consider how the new dog will fit in. If you have a bossy dog, you may not want to set up a conflict by bringing in another bossy dog. On the other hand, some personality types are like-loves-like: quiet, sensitive dogs get along well with other considerate dogs, while high-energy rough-housers belong together (be prepared to laugh a lot and exercise them well!).
If you have the opportunity to bring the old and new dogs together before you choose, jump at it. It may be love at first sight—though if it’s not, that doesn’t mean the two dogs can’t learn to live together in peace. Have someone who knows dogs well help you watch the meeting. Set the dogs up for success by following Dog Momma’s tips for introducing the new dog to the old dog.
Mellow
- Excellent Social Skills
Adores Children
