How to Find Your Next Dog: Four-Legged Friends To Fit Your Lifestyle
Becoming a dog owner for the first time, or even the tenth time, is always a special experience. You’ve done your research, you’ve taken into consideration the weight, activity level, and overall needs of the dog that would fit best in your home. However, when you find a pup that is right for you, all of those logistics seem less important, and the most important thing is that you’ve found your new best friend.
That is exactly the way I felt when I met my little superman, a 17 pound Norwich Terrier. I never thought I was going to be that crazy insane dog lady, but that's exactly who I became. One thing in particular that my pup always had an issue with was his breathing. It was something that I never thought could become so severe, but in later research I found that the breathing issues he was plagued with were associated with his breed. Doing your background research into the breed you decide to bring into your home is immensely important, so keep reading for some insight into which breeds will fit your needs best based on activity level and environment!
New Families
If you fit into the category of new families, whether that’s newly weds, those with young children or even young adults living with roommates on your own for the first time, there are a special handful of dog breeds that would perfectly fit your needs. According to an article from the American Kennel Club, some of the best dogs for young families with children and young adults are Golden or Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Irish Setters, and Brussels Griffons. For obvious reasons, each of these breeds tend to be better with small children and have active, outgoing personalities. The breeds range in sizes and each require different amounts of exercise, but a common thread is that each dog behaves well in an exciting environment with an active lifestyle. One thing to take into consideration as a new dog owner is the possible risk factors each dog may face, much like my dog’s breathing problems, some larger dogs like Labs or Retrievers can have hip issues, while beagles can develop issues like hypothyroidism and even seasonal allergies, but knowing the most you can while they’re still young is key.
Empty Nesters
As an empty nester with a newly quiet home, some fantastic dog breeds for you may be those that are smart, sensitive, and active. According to AARP, some great dog breeds for empty nesters include: 1. Poodles, since they are smart and love to fall into a routine with their owner, 2. Greyhounds, who can still run and be active, but
love to cuddle and have a sensitive side, and 3. Schnauzers, whose personalities are loving and curious. Other great options for empty nesters looking to bring a dog into their home are rescues from local animal shelters, fosters and even adopting older dogs who need more dedicated care from their owner. As most empty nesters can agree, when your adult children leave the home and make homes of their own, you still want to nurture and care for someone, and getting a dog is a great solution for sustaining good mental health. So if you’re an empty nester ready to take on walking, feeding, grooming and loving your pet, go do a bit of research on some of the breeds just mentioned.
Beyond
For those who fall into the Beyond category, like our wonderful senior citizens, finding the right dog can be a rewarding experience and even a health benefit. According to a study by the American Heart Association, pet ownership has actually been proven to lower your blood pressure and improve your overall cardiac health, so even more than just loving you, they are helping your heart too. Some wonderful dog breeds for older adults are Cocker Spaniels, for their sweet gentle nature, Border Terriers for their energetic, yet comforting personality, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who tend to be adaptable to any household.
Whether you fall into the new families, empty nesters, or beyond categories, finding the perfect pup to add to your family is an important decision that will shape the next 10-15 years of your life. If you take anything away from my story and the examples of dog breeds to fit your lifestyle it would be to do all of the research you can before bringing a dog home, and even after you’ve taken them into your home, you should continue to do research to know how to best care for them.
If my blog post has sparked your interest, there are many different ways to get a new dog. You can adopt from a local shelter, find a specialized breed online, or even foster pups to see if owning a dog is right for you. If adoption is the right choice for you, some great options for you may be Wags & Rescue, Montgomery County SPCA, or the Bucks County SPCA.