What size dog should you choose
What kind of dog should you choose for your lifestyle and family? Different kinds of dogs are suitable for different kinds of people. If you live on a farm, a toy poodle might not be suitable for you. A border collie or lab might be a better choice.
Small Puppies
Who should get a small breed of dog? These little guys are great for apartment dwellers, single people with out young children, and older people. Tiny puppies do have some challenges as they are more fragile than their larger counterparts. You need to be aware of where they are at all times as not to step on them. These puppies also tend to crave human companionship and want to be with their human "parents" as much as possible. They can become despondent, destructive and neurotic if left alone too much. There also may be house training issues.
The upside is that your dog food bill will be on the low side. Small dogs make wonderful companions and will provide endless fun and enjoyment.. Small puppies are very portable and are often accepted in places where larger dogs are not.
Some great small breed puppies to consider are Yorkshire Terriers, Silky Terriers, Malteses, Mi-Kis, Toy Poodles, Coton de Tulear, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bichon Frises, Chihuahuas, Mini-Dachshunds and Haveneses.
Medium Sized Puppies
Medium sized puppies grow up to between 20 and 40 pounds. These sturdy little pups are usually great for kids and do well in most environments. They are great for small houses and small yards. They tend to be easier to housetrain than smaller pups. They do require more exercise than the small guys and often have more energy. They make great family pets. They do better if they have a job to do or they can become destructive.
Some good medium sized breeds are the Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, Chinese Shar-Pei, Border Collie, American Eskimo Dog and the French Bulldog.
Large Puppies
Large breed dogs are great for families with lots of space and lots of energy. These guys are between 40 to 75 pounds when full grown. Large breed puppies are great with children but they may accidentally hurt young children in their rambunctiousness.
These big lugs like to work and need a job to do. They need to be socialized at an early age as to not be a danger to people or animals. They also need to be trained at an early age.
Large breed puppies will grow up to make great watch dogs and protectors of your family. They do need a lot of space and lots of exercise. And they do eat alot too.
Some great large breed puppies to consider are the Akita, American Staffordshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Collie, and the Boxer.
Giant Breed Puppies
Sometimes large just isn't large enough. Giant breed puppies may be just right for you. They warrant a lot of attention just by their huge size. They can get up to 200 pounds!
They too need a lot of space, early socialization and early training to make a great, safe pet.
Although they eat a lot too, some breeds don't eat as much as you would think due to their slower metabolisms. A big downside to these giants is they often have short life spans compared to their smaller counterparts.
Some great Giant breeds are the Mastiff, the Irish Wolfhound, the Great Dane, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Leonberger.
Hopefully this article will give you some insight to which breed is right for you. Please leave a comment if you have any questions or comments.
