A puppy is not just for Christmas: choosing the perfect family dog

It goes without saying, but adding a dog to your family can be both challenging and rewarding. A new dog can:

• Help pull the family together by giving you all something to focus on.
• Teach your children about responsibility if they are included in care routines.
• Encourage an active lifestyle as they love walks and lots of play.

When you are in search of a family dog, this is more than just a simple choice of which dog breed you like the best. You actually need to consider what breed is going to be right for you. To help you pick, take a look at our top tips on how to make the right choice. 

Think about size

One of the first things you need to think about when it comes to choosing a dog is the size. This may be somewhat obvious, but the larger the breed, the more space you are going to need. Large breeds, even those that are known to be relaxed and laid-back, can soon take up lots of space in your home. 

How active will you be?

Another important consideration when it comes to choosing a dog is to think about how active you are (or you are likely to be) as a family. Whilst smaller breeds can be just as active as bigger breeds, it is safe to say that they simply cannot keep up with you whilst you are out for long walks. This may mean they are perfect if you are not planning on walking for miles, but not ideal if you are an active family exploring the world around you. 

Make sure that they are healthy

Choosing the right family dog means you need to ensure they are going to have a long and healthy life. You can be tempted to buy one of the more popular “designer” dog breeds, which are known for having health problems; but this may end up costing you more money in the long run to get them checked and make sure that they are healthy.  Vaccination records can be a good source of information when purchasing a family dog.

Think about it in the long term

It may sound cliché; but the truth is dogs are a long-term commitment, you should always think about it that way. A dog could be with you for as long as 15 years. If you don’t see yourself still wanting to take care of it for that length of time, then you need to think again about adding one to your family. 

Thinking a dog might be an exciting addition to your family? Consider the options open to you and your family and you’ll come to the right decision.