What’s YOUR Favorite Type Of Dog?
Purebreds or Mixed Breeds?
Male or Female?

Choosing A Dog Is Fun!

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A Papillon waiting to be adopted–>

I think choosing a dog is an exciting event, especially for kids. The supply and variation of dogs is so large it will seem endless once you get started!

When you do finally find that “perfect match” just made for you and your lifestyle, I hope you will know what to do and what not to do to build a wonderful future of trust and love with your new companion. Digesting the information on this site will take care of that.

Before choosing a dog though, please be SURE you’re ready to jump all the way in and take on the responsibility. Ask yourself, should I get a dog NOW?

There are people who like dogs but shouldn’t have one for a number of reasons.

Choosing a dog comes after you decide you are ready and capable of bringing a new life into your home.

Do you know exactly what kind of dog best fits your needs now and 14 years from now? Not sure?

Visit your local animal shelter, SPCA or Humane Society. Look around. Talk to the staff and explain your situation in life. Let them guide you. Ask questions if you see a dog that’s of interest. Tell them you are choosing a dog and need help. They’re experts at choosing dogs. Come back next week or month. Shelters have a constant turnover of dogs.

When choosing a dog in a shelter, be sure to keep dog aggression in mind and check for aggressive tendencies BEFORE you adopt.

Super-affectionate Westie named Cody on vacation in S. California with his human, Jarmila, who sent this photo in to us. Please send us YOUR dog photo!->

Shelter Puppy or Mature Shelter Dog?

The Humane Society, SPCA and local rescue kennels often turn up with a litter puppies from a raid on an illegal breeder or a dog hoarder or who knows what. The puppies may be purebreds or might be mixed breeds.

You first have to decide if you REALLY want a puppy or if a more mature dog is better for you at your stage in life. This is an important decision because getting a puppy is a huge obligation and you really need to be prepared for the event.

If you decide on a puppy, make sure you get all the information you can from the kennel staff about the background of the puppy and the name of the breeder if possible. It’s going to be important to find out about the parents of the puppy and their health, and how well the pup was socialized if possible.

The puppy will not have had a chance to have been mistreated.

Big Dogs vs. Small Dogs

Portrait of the German Shepherd, a big dog.

When choosing a dog, size does matter in certain circumstances. Small dogs cost less than big dogs but big dogs offer better protection to you and your property. It just depends on what you need. Here are some pluses and minuses to help you with choosing a dog.

What’s Good and Bad about Big Dogs

Big dogs generally require more of everything. Big dogs need more space to play in, so you (sometimes) need a bigger yard. Big dogs need longer walks and they poop more so you need to carry a bigger scoop and shovel.

What’s Good and Bad About Small Dogs

Smaller dogs can curl up on your lap or can sleep at the end of your bed.

A small terrier walks softly and carries a very BIG stick!

Male vs. Female

The MALE Dog

Small female dogs can be cuddly, snugly and are portable.

The FEMALE Dog

Mixed Breed Dogs

When choosing a dog from a kennel, the most common one you’ll find is the mixed breed dog. They are most commonly found at the SPCA, Humane Society and local animal shelters. Mixed breed dogs are number one in popularity in the world according to a survey taken recently.

A mixed breed dog is simply a combination of breeds mixed together. Example: I currently have a Yorkshire Terrier who has had a father who was bred with a Miniature Schnauzer who was bred with a Cocker Spaniel. All this breeding was done out on sidewalks and vacant lots somewhere. I doubt anyone did it on purpose.

This gives me a 16.5 pound Yorkie, Schnauzer, Cocker MIX… and he is simply the greatest little guy you can imagine.

Choosing a dog, especially a mixed breed, should be done at one of the major kennels where dogs are temperament tested when they come in.

Many of the dogs I have had over the years have been mixed breed dogs and frankly, they have ALL been great dogs with long, healthy lives, easy to train and fun to live with.

The chance of getting a “bad” dog from a kennel is remote. The Humane Society and SPCA and other humane groups screen incoming animals and will tell you in advance if a dog has issues. They usually remove problem dogs from the adoption line before you get there. That’s, “usually.”

Real problem dogs with issues that can’t be reversed are generally euthanized or put out to pasture somewhere by the kennel staff. The large, reputable kennels take a lot of the guesswork out of choosing a dog because they give you plenty of professional help.

They live longer than purebreds. This is well documented.

I won’t go into this because I don’t know enough about it. All I know is mixed breed dogs seem to have longer, healthier lives.

If you live alone and are the fearful type, you would likely be choosing a dog such as a larger male that would at least bark like crazy if someone tried to stop you on the street. Consider a Collie, German Sheppard, Rottweiler, or Doberman Pinscher. If you want a small dog, get a Yorkie — they bark at everything and their tiny bite stings!

This is Misty from England, sent in by her master and I’m told she is a mix breed, terrific watchdog and companion as well. Thanks, Jeff—->

If fear is not your thing, look for a great companion dog. Maybe a laid back female like a Golden Retriever, a Greyhound, Pug, Bulldog or Mini Schnauzer. They’ll keep you company when the nights are long!

When visiting kennels and choosing a dog, remember to look for a dog that matches your style of living. If you are a couch potato who prefers to sit at home and watch TV, don’t choose a dog from the “hunting” or “sporting” groups that need to run and jog for exercise. You want a quiet, laid-back dog with fewer exercise needs.

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