Types Of Puppies
How to Decide Between Different Types of Puppies
If you are deciding between different types of puppies these days, it can be a daunting process. There are just a so many to choose between. You may already have your mind set on one particular type of puppy you saw sticking out of Paris Hilton’s purse or on a toilet paper commercial.
Like falling in love, we often do it for lots of irrational and unconscious reasons. Adopting a puppy, however, is not like buying a pair of shoes or even deciding to go out with someone. Your decision about a puppy affects that puppy’s chances of having a happy existence. Once your puppy grows to full maturity, it will have much less of a chance of finding a caring home, so you should be careful you choose a puppy that is well suited to you and your lifestyle.
So what should be the considerations you use to decide between types of puppies?
Temperament
The number one consideration when choosing a puppy should be temperament. The number two consideration should be temperament. Oh yes, and the number three consideration? Temperament.
Temperament is the tendency your breed of dog will have to act in a particular fashion. It is what we would call “personality” in human beings. Most dogs will tend toward particular personalities, or temperaments. This doesn’t mean that every lab will be easy going and like to eat your shoes and furniture for fun. But it does mean that in general, most labs will act this way.
The key then should be to hedge your bets by choosing a breed whose temperament matches well with your personality, time constraints and life situation.
Matching Puppy Temperament to Your Personality
You’re a quiet person who likes a peaceful, orderly existence and not to be bothered. Well you might find a Dalmatian’s or a Weimaraner’s appearance appealing. But if you were to actually get one of these types of puppies, you would soon realize your mistake. Dalmatians and Weimaraners have notoriously hyperactive dispositions. If you want a quiet lifestyle with a nice dog that will remain mild, you are much better off with a Labrador or a St. Bernard.
If, on the other hand, you love activity and constant action and love to be out in nature, then you might find a St. Bernard a bit boring. In addition, you may find that some longhaired dogs are not well suited to being out in the heat for prolonged periods.
So you should consider what kind of temperament your puppy will develop.
Time Constraints
Time is also a consideration when it comes to temperament. How much time do you plan to devote to your dog? Do you work long hours or like to go out partying with your friends every night. Unless you have a workplace which allows pets or think your friends wouldn’t mind you leaving early to see your new puppy, you probably want to be sure that your dog is of a fairly independent breed.
There are many types of puppies that will never grow out of their needy period. Many types of puppies are prone to separation anxiety. If you work all day and live inside of an apartment which shares walls with other apartments, your neighbors may soon start complaining that when you leave during the day and your puppy starts barking and doesn’t stop until you return.
As puppy gets older this barking may get worse. So unless you like having your neighbors wishing you and puppy dead, you will probably want to be careful to choose a more independent type of dog.
Lifestyle Constraints
A final consideration when choosing between types of puppies should be your own lifestyle constraints. Many apartment complexes, for example, have rules about the kinds of dogs they will accept. Some apartments don’t allow pets; others demand an extra security balance for pets because of the damage they may inflict.
Most apartment managers exclude dogs according to size. They might exclude dogs of more than fifty pounds. Although this is wrong headed (temperament is a better predictor of whether a dog will be well suited to apartment living), the rules are the rules.
In addition to rules, you will want to consider your own living situation. If you are the type of person who likes to move every year, having a dog to take along each time may be a bit of a drag. Similarly, if you’re going to go off to college, or the Peace Corps or a year abroad, you will want to be sure that your parents are willing to take care of your dog while you are gone. There is no reason why puppy should suffer for your decision.
So, once you’ve found the perfectly suited types of puppy for you, then you can afford to be frivolous and decide to get a puppy just because you think his coat matches your carpet well.