Deciding to bring a dog into your home can be an exciting time for you and the family. What breed will you get? What will you name him or her? Who will be in charge of house breaking? Which Scottsdale vet hospital will you use? The first question is an important one because the breed of the dog has a lot to do with their behaviors and temperament. With a little research it is easy to get a general idea of breed personality, compatibility with kids and other animals, size, energy level, and maintenance.
Size and Energy
If you want a big dog, but live in a little apartment. You may want to reevaluate your decision and look a little further into the dog breed. Since dogs were often bred with a specific task in mind, size and energy levels often go hand in hand with energy levels. Although there are bigger does who don’t need a lot of room to run and are perfect apartment dogs, like the Great Dane. This gigantic dog is one of the biggest couch potatoes around. But a lab or golden retriever, which is quite smaller than a Great Dane, requires plenty of exercise. The key is finding the balance of size and energy that you are looking for, whether it is a high energy small dog or calm medium sized dog, it is all about what you and your surroundings can handle.
Maintenance and Grooming
You should be realistic about the amount of time you can see yourself dedicating to grooming your dog. How often will you brush and bathe your dog? Would you be willing to take it to a professional regularly for grooming? A general rule is that short hair dogs shed more but are low maintenance, whereas long haired breeds shed less but require regular grooming. It is also important to make regular appointments for your new family member at a Scottsdale vet hospital.
