Big or Small Breed of Dog?

They are cute, cuddly and have all of the love in the world to give. But in return, they expect the same from you. If you plan to buy puppies, then you are in for a treat and a workout all at the same time. These little fur balls are full of energy and cannot wait to unleash it on you, but there is nothing better than a wag of the tail when you walk in the door.

People buy puppies for different reasons, including companionship or to raise them for breeding. There are a number of locations to buy puppies, including animal shelters or directly from breeders. If you buy puppies from an animal shelter, you are literally saving a life. If you are planning to spend money for your new pup, there are some important considerations to think about before adopting the newest addition to your family.

The first thing to consider if you plan to buy puppies is their demeanor. If you want a companion, some types of dogs are more ideal than others and this is especially true if you have young children in the home. A gentle dog is the best kind for children or the elderly. Even though almost every kind of puppy is rowdy, certain ones will grow up to be gentler than others. It’s a good idea to read up on the various breeds from the American Kennel Club so that you will know what kind of puppy you want and which will best fit your lifestyle.

Now, do you have the space for a puppy? In the beginning, nothing is puppy-proof and you have to be ready for anything. Because they have a lot of energy, puppies love to play and they will need a lot of space to enjoy. If you plan to keep your new pup inside, be sure that you have a yard that is large enough for him/her to run and play in during the day or, at least, to go for several walks in.

The next thing to consider when you buy puppies is whether or not you have the time to take care of them. Puppies require a lot of work and, if you are keeping them inside, possibly a lot of repairs to your home or furniture. You will have toTrain Your Puppy , which takes time, and also make sure that he/she has plenty of fresh, clean water and is fed on a regular schedule. Puppies need to be fed several times each day and, like babies, its best if they are on a schedule. Don’t forget bath-time because a puppy that plays hard will need a good scrubbing. The good news is that if you start giving them a bath early when you buy puppies, they will be better behaved and become more adapt to the process as they get older. You probably do not want to be trying to teach an 80lb. Labrador Retriever that a bath is normal.

Big Versus Small 

Whether you want a mutt or pure-breed, the next thing you should think about is the size of the dog. 

If you live in an apartment, you may think it’s best to limit your puppy possibilities to small dogs. But you don’t have to. Large dogs can make wonderful apartment companions as long as they receive regular exercise during walks or dog park visits. Large dogs are often calmer and quieter than small dogs (less barking for neighbors to complain about). Dogs of any size will make great apartment pets as long as they are properly trained.  

If you have small children, would a small dog be better? Not necessarily. Any dog, regardless of size or breed, may be frightened and irritated by children. A dog that feels threatened is more likely to bite. Of course, the bite of a Chihuahua will be less severe than that of a Rottweiler. Dogs of any size can make good companions for children if they are properly trained and socialized around children (but also make sure your children are taught how to act around dogs).  

Small dogs eat less (so are cheaper to feed); and you’ll have smaller piles of poop to clean up, of course. They can be easier to control (they are not physically able to drag you down the street during your walk). But again, proper training will enable you to control any dog of any size. 

Do Breed Research 

If you’ve decided on a pure-breed dog of a particular size, it’s time to do specific research and consider behavioral traits as well as physical ones. If you pick a pure-breed puppy without doing your homework, you may be in for some surprises. 

For example, Border Collies are very smart dogs, so you might think this would be a great choice. But super-smart dogs actually require more attention and care than average-intelligence dogs. They need mental exercise as well as physical exercise. Like bright students, they tend to get bored easily—and a bored dog is not a good thing.  

If you find a particular breed of dog appealing, get information about it from appropriate resources: 

·            Ask a veterinarian if the breed is prone to any health issues. 

·            Look for tendencies and traits that you do not want, such as aggressiveness toward other dogs. Get several opinions.  

·            Even after compiling the results of your research, remember that every dog is different. His behavior will mostly be the result of genetics and how he’s raised. And don’t forget personality. Two sibling pure-breed pups raised in the same way by the same person may have totally different personalities.  

Even the best breeder cannot accurately predict how a puppy will turn out. Regardless of the many reasons for picking a particular puppy—whether pedigree, size, cuteness, or other traits you find appealing—the success of the relationship between you and your new friend will ultimately depend on how you raise and train him.