People from all walks of life can own a furry friend, but selecting the most suitable breed for your lifestyle is key to a healthy and nurturing relationship. Introducing a dog into your family and your life, no matter how you live, is a significant decision worth strong consideration. Once you’ve made up your mind that a dog is exactly what you need and you understand the cost of owning a dog, it’s time to figure out exactly which breed will work best for your lifestyle. Here are a number of pointers to help you with the decision.

How do you live?

You’re introducing a highly interactive pet that requires some adjustment on your part. Some changes need to be done to accommodate the furry friend and make them comfortable in their new home. If you have children, minding their needs and what they would want in a dog is important, which is especially critical if you have other pets and a number of children in the family.

Also consider your health and that of your household and whether there’s anyone with allergies. In such a case, hypoallergenic canine breeds will work well with your family. A low-shedding breed is perhaps what you want. Whatever the size of your household dog, ownership demands some responsibility such as making plans to feed the pet when you’re away for a number of days.

Dog size

Some people want a little, cute, lap dog easy to move around with. Others want a medium to large dog breed. If you’re not really sure what size to choose. perhaps a medium-sized furry friend will do? With size also come some concerns you need to be aware of. Small dogs can be excellent pals but they are also vulnerable and delicate. It’s easy to mishandle them, so they might require more time and energy. At times, low temperatures affect small dogs, so you’ll have to keep them warm in cold weather.  

For medium to large dogs some, space to play and run is especially important. A large, happy and playful dog wagging its tail and moving all over the house can suffer tail or paw injury. Household items will also be in constant threat of damage in small household spaces with large dogs. Also don’t forget that large dogs need more food. The expense can be exponential when you consider medical and health checkups, dog supplies, and quality diet. Large and giant dog breeds can be perfect lap dogs while small but once they’ve grown in size they’ll require some training.

Breed

Most people don’t mind mix breeds, while others simply love how specific canine breeds carry themselves or look. At times what you have heard, seen, or read about specific breeds makes you adore them. If your heart is set on a purebred, take a step further and find out as much as you can about it. Each comes with its share of challenges and responsibilities in terms of health, grooming, size and temperament. If the purebred characteristics and traits fit perfectly with what you’re looking for, lifestyle or family, by all means go for it.

You can also consider mixed breeds if you’ve no qualms about them. Perhaps, the fact that the mix of various dog breeds gives them unique physical attributes and personalities that you like.

It’s not easy to know for sure how your puppy will turn out once they’re all grown up. Challenges such as health issues are unpredictable. However, it’s agreed widely that in contrast with purebred dogs, mixed breeds usually have fewer health complications.

Energy levels

Know the energy level you would like in your dog right from the beginning. Most high-energy canine breeds are active and ready for activity. Some were bred as retriever dogs, sledge pullers, or herder companions and their stamina is evident. If you choose such a breed, be ready to stimulate it mentally and physically. These are dogs that spend most of their day moving around, investigating their surroundings, actively playing, and jumping about.  

On the other hand, a dog with low energy might be what you need. An archetypal couch potato of a dog can spend most of its day dozing and doing absolutely nothing. As you select the best dog breed for your lifestyle think about your unique lifestyle, level of activity, and whether an over-active, energetic, and cheerful dog is what you’ve in mind or you find that bothersome.

Novice owners

If you’ve never owned a dog before, consider breeds suitable for novice dog owners. These include canines easier to handle and train that are friendly and easygoing. A dog flexible and robust enough to move on about its activities even with the mishaps of a novice dog owner is a perfect choice. First time dog owners should avoid independent minded dogs, highly sensitive canines, and emphatic breeds, as they can be quite a handful.

If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably had to battle a flea infestation at least once in your lifetime. Animals carry fleas, and they can be incredibly difficult to get rid of once they’ve put down roots in your home. If you’re keen to tackle fleas or turn your home into a no flea zone, these top tips will help.

[Photo courtesy of Unsplash/pexels.com]

Grooming your pets

If you have cats or dogs, it’s essential to groom them on a regular basis. This removes excess hair, and it can be beneficial for you and your pet. Use a specially designed grooming brush and gently move the brush down your pet’s body, moving in the direction of hair growth. Create a pile of fur, and use your vacuum cleaner to suck it up once you’ve finished.

If you think your pet may have fleas, use a fine-toothed comb, and guide it through the fur, paying particular attention to the areas around the ears and tail. Before you start, fill a small plastic cup or bowl with warm soapy water. If you do find any fleas when you’re combing your pet, place them in the cup as quickly as possible. Fleas jump, and they can get away within seconds. You may come across live fleas or feces. Flea feces look like very small black dots, which will be visible in the comb. Fleas jump on and off host animals, so if you’ve got feces, it’s likely that there are fleas lurking around. Look out for traces on bedding and soft furnishings. If your pet has got fleas, you may also suffer, as fleas can jump onto you, and they bite. Flea bites tend to be small and red. They are often very itchy.

[Photo courtesy of W.H.O, USCDCP/pixnio.com]

Treating fleas

You can go to a store and buy products, such as sprays and foam cleaners to treat fleas. However, the best thing to do is contact your vet and buy medication, which you can give to your cat or dog. This is usually much more effective, and it helps to tackle the problem much faster. It’s also essential to vacuum your house from top to bottom and to wash your bedding, and your pet’s bed on a high-temperature wash. If you don’t want to use chemical detergents, consider investing in a portable steam cleaner. Use your vacuum nozzle to cover every surface, including skirting boards. Keep grooming and combing your pet, and hopefully, you’ll notice that you’re no longer finding fleas or feces.

[Photo courtesy of Karen Arnold/publicdomainpictures.net]

If you have more than one pet, it’s advisable to treat all the animals, as fleas multiply rapidly, and it’s highly likely that all your furry friends are affected, even if you can’t see clear signs. Follow the treatment instructions, and ask your vet if you have any queries or concerns.

Living with fleas can be a nightmare. Just when you thought you’d seen the back of them, you notice your dog scratching their leg or your cat frantically itching their ears. If you’re worried about fleas, this guide should come in handy. Keep your home clean, groom your pets, and use vet-approved treatments. Hopefully, you’ll be living in a no flea zone before you know it.

Having a pet is a big responsibility. It is also so rewarding; they become like part of the family. So if you are thinking of getting pets, you need to be prepared. Like with a child, you need to be prepared for the fact that you are responsible for the animal. Responsible for making sure that they get fed, taken care of and are kept healthy, well, and safe. So read on as I share my tips for choosing the best pet for you.

Think about the type of pet that you might like. Then you need to think of your family situation. If you love the idea of a dog but are a couple that works a lot of hours, it might not be the best idea. If you are out of the home of most of the day, when will walks fit in? They can get lonely too. A lower maintenance pet might be a better option until the situation changes. If you like the idea of a pet, but want a pet that doesn’t take up as much space, something like a rabbit or guinea pig might be good options. Do your research and think realistically about the best option for you.

[Photo courtesy of papagnoc/pixabay.com]

Then you need to think about the care and lifestyle of the pet. Are you fully committed to making a big change? If so, a pet dog could be a great choice. Dogs can take over the house a little and need more attention than a rodent would, for example. You need to think about vets bills and things like the cost of vaccinations. Not all pets require them, but some do. There is the cost of medicines too. Would your pet be in a situation where they might need something like painkillers? Cats and dogs are the most likely to need them as they are out and about much more. So think about the cost of something like Metacam for dogs or Calmex for cats. All pets can cost a lot of money, but some do cost more than others.

Along the lines of the cost of a pet, think about the life span of the animal. As we know, some animals will live longer than others. Are you looking for a long-term companion in your choice of pet? Or are you just looking for a small pet for when the children are young? These are all considerations when deciding what the best pet for you is.

Take into consideration your accommodation when you are deciding. If you don’t have a large outdoor space, are there places close by that you could take a dog too? Would you have room for a hutch in the back yard? You might prefer a pet that stays indoors, but if so, they will need plenty of space to roam.

I don’t mean to put you off with all of these considerations. It is just that a pet is a big commitment. You want to make it a fantastic and rewarding relationship. The best way to do that is to choose the perfect pet for you.