Let's face it: Puppies are adorable, but choosing one can be hard. After all, if you do your research you shouldn't just pick a puppy because it has a pretty face.
There are many different factors to consider when picking a puppy - from the type of breed to their temperament, from the price of the pup (and ongoing costs) to the time commitment (training and lifelong). In this post, we'll explore what you need to know before choosing a puppy!
We've got all your questions answered in our blog post about how to choose a puppy. You'll learn everything you need for finding and selecting your perfect pup!
1. What is the best breed of puppy for you and/or your family?
The best type of pup for you will be based on your lifestyle, the breed itself, and what you are looking for in a pet. There are many different breeds of dogs that have many different personalities. If you have children, two large dogs might not be the right fit for your household. You also need to take into consideration the cost of caring for these furry friends.
The type of breed you select will have a direct bearing on many things having to do with your puppy, even including how often they need to be taken outside to go potty. Smaller dogs have smaller bladders, after all.
The next thing you want to think about is time commitment! Puppies require a lot of training and care in order to grow up well.
2. What is your time commitment?
Time commitment is a very important factor in choosing a puppy because there is a lot of training involved! If you work full time, don't have much free time, or travel frequently, it might be best to adopt an older dog from a shelter or rescuer. Pups are cute and irresistible, but they can become difficult as they grow if they are left on their own too often with no set schedule or routine.
In today's environment, many people are working remotely and have more flexible time at home so the number of people purchasing puppies and dogs has skyrocketed. This is great, especially for those dogs in shelters and foster care who were getting their forever homes.
You want to make sure you spend time with your puppy and invest in their training so they know what you want from them and why. Potty training can take a long time. There are some dogs to take to puppy pads and others don't. Some pups "get" the idea of going outside right away, while for others it may take a while. Just like humans, some puppies are quicker learners than others.
2. How do I choose the right puppy?
The best type of pup for you will be based on your lifestyle, the breed itself, and what you are looking for in a pet. There are many different breeds of dogs that have a variety of personalities. If you have small children, two pups that will grow into large dogs might not be the right fit for your household. On the other hand, this could be just what you need if you and your partner are outdoorsy people who like to hike and can take the pups along.
For a household with babies and toddlers, you will want to pick a breed that's not aggressive. Too many times there have been family dogs left alone with a small child for just an instance and a tragedy occurs. Kids are not always meaning harm, but they can startle or irritate even the most well-mannered dog.
Also, if you already have another pet, be it a dog, cat, or something else, you might want to consider the temperament of the current ruler of the roost. There is always an alpha, and the current pet is one until it abdicates the throne.
If you're not sure if your current pet is going to allow a new friend to come into the home, make sure to introduce them slowly - one at a time if there is more than one - and under direct supervision.
The type of breed you select will have a direct bearing on many things having to do with your puppy.
3. What are your options when picking a breed of dog?
When it comes to choosing the perfect pup for you, there are many factors you'll need to take into consideration. First, think about what kind of pup you want.
-Do you want a small furry friend that will stay in your lap most of the time?
-Are you looking for a hiking companion?
-Would your perfect pet be an alert watchdog?
Small or large, there's a puppy out there for you. Each pup will come to you with its own personality. Some dogs are more aggressive than others. Some dogs are more playful than others. Some dogs are more protective than others.
Only you can decide what breed will fit in your household the best.
4. How much does it cost to buy and raise a puppy?
The initial purchase price of a puppy is only the first in a long string of financial obligations for your pup. While buying a pup can range from "free" (remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch or a free puppy) to thousands of dollars for high-end AKC registered puppies with a fancy pedigree.
You also need to take into consideration the cost of caring for these animals for many years to come. There's food, food dishes, collars, licenses, microchipping, bed, crate, supplies such as puppy pads, and standard vet care that you will need annually. That doesn't even factor in emergency vet visits for any accidents or health concerns.
This can easily add up to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per year. That doesn't even factor in emergency vet visits for any accidents or health concerns. Remember that certain breeds are also known for specific types of health issues. With purebreds, you can count on certain issues such as eye issues for shar peis or hip dysplasia for labs.
Where can I find a puppy?
There are many places where you can find puppies: breeders, pet stores, rescues, shelters, and foster families. First question: do you want a purebred or a mixed breed (designer dog) or a mutt?
Specialty breeders are the best choice for a purebred. Often they are picky and you will go through a series of questions and some even do home visits and require that you check in with them annually.
Pet stores, rescues, shelters, and foster families will have all kinds of pups available, including entire litters that have been surrendered for various reasons. Some of the older puppies may even be housebroken already.
In summary, picking a puppy is not always an easy task, with so many decisions to make. One other tip that can help, is to consider "Brain Training For Dogs" to help ensure your dog is friendly and happy with your family members.
You can get details on this here: Brain Training for Dogs
