Your Guide to Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family

Dogs are incredible additions to any family, but it’s important to choose the right dog for your family.

No two dogs are exactly alike. Some dogs are more energetic, while others are content to cuddle up on the couch. Some dogs require constant supervision, while others are strict rule followers. Some dogs need to be groomed on a regular basis, while others only need a bath every once in awhile. If you get a dog that requires more time or energy than you are willing or able to give, it puts both you and the dog in a bad spot. Not every dog will be the right fit for you or your family, and that’s why it’s essential to do a little bit of research before you decide to adopt a dog. That’s why our veterinarian in South Bellmore has come up with this guide on how to choose the right dog for your family:

Breed

The breed of the dog that you plan on adopting can tell you a lot about potential personality traits, health problems, exercise requirements and grooming needs, so it pays to do some research on breeds before deciding to adopt a dog. While breed is certainly an important thing to consider, keep in mind that breed isn’t everything, especially where personality is concerned. Most dogs in a certain breed can share certain personality traits, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog will follow suit, especially if they’ve gone through trauma or abuse in the past. How you train and raise the dog can also impact their personality, as well as how much you exercise them and how healthy they are.

Activity Level

Dogs comes in all shapes and sizes, from small, yippy dogs that can fit in your purse to massive dogs that come up to your waist. The size of the dog you choose is an important thing to consider, because different sizes have different needs. For example, smaller dogs are more vulnerable and delicate, and if they are mishandled, they can easily get injured. Larger dogs tend to be tougher and can handle a little more tomfoolery, but tend to be prone to health problems and have shorter life spans. When considering size, it’s important to think about the environment you live in. If you live in an apartment or a home without a backyard, a bigger dog might not be the best option for you. Additionally, the size of the dog will also determine how much food they’ll require, so consider the costs of dog food when considering size.

Nothing is more exciting than adopting a furry friend for your family.

Dogs bring so much love and joy into our lives, but for the sake of both you and the dog, it’s important to make sure that you adopt the right one. Breed and activity level are just two of the things you’ll want to consider when choosing a dog, and in our next blog, we’ll be going over a couple more. Please stay tuned for our next blog, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

Are you in the process of looking for a dog to adopt in your family?

If so, you’ve come to the right place. As your go-to veterinarian in Levittown, we are dedicated to caring for your pet and keeping them healthy. A big part of ensuring that your dog is leading the happiest and healthiest possible life is making sure that you adopted the right dog in the first place. In our last blog, we went over a couple of things to consider when adopting the right dog for your family. Keep reading to learn more.

Age

Another important thing to consider when choosing a dog for your family is age. Here’s what to consider when adopting dogs of different age groups:

• Puppies – There’s nothing cuter than a puppy, but with all of that cuteness also comes a whole lot of work. Out of all of the age groups, puppies require the most time, energy and attention. Housebreaking a puppy can take months, and there will probably be a few accidents in your home along the way. If you’re planning on getting a puppy, make sure that you have someone to watch them while you’re at work during the day, and that you are ready to take them out frequently through the night. You should also be prepared for frequent veterinary visits and training classes.
• Adult Dogs – For the most part, adult dogs are an excellent choice if you’re looking for companionship without all of the extra time it takes to housebreak and train them. However, just because you’re adopting an adult dog doesn’t necessarily mean they will be trained, but most are, at least to some degree. Adult dogs already have established temperaments, attitudes, and energy levels, allowing you to know exactly what kind of dog you’re adopting.
• Senior Dogs – Senior dogs are the least likely to be adopted, because they’re more likely to develop health problems and require special attention. However, senior dogs also have a lot of love to give, and it can be incredibly rewarding to adopt one into your family. But, it’s important to ensure that you are able to take on the responsibilities of having a senior dog.

Grooming Needs

Some dogs will require more stringent and intensive grooming than others, which is why you should always do some research into grooming requirements before you decide to adopt. Dogs with short, smooth coats, for example, don’t require too much upkeep but can shed a lot, whereas dogs with long, fluffy coats will probably require regular brushing, shampooing, and maybe even haircuts. In addition to the coat, you should also think about the ear type. Dogs with floppy ears tend to be prone to ear infections, and you should be ready to clean out their ears regularly.

When you find the right dog, make sure you bring them to the right veterinarian!

Finding the right dog is just the first step; you also have to make sure that you find the right veterinarian! Luckily, here in Levittown, you have East Meadow Veterinary Center on your side, and we always make it a point to treat your dog like family.