What Dog Breeds Make The Best Pets?

When you've decided that you are ready to bring a dog into your life, you may have a few worries.

As for which dog makes the best pet? All of them do. There's no one breed or type of dog that makes a poor pet. Although, there are certain dog breeds that do not fit everyone's lifestyle or experience.

It's really up to you to decide which dog will best fit you and your family. There are several things that you need to consider before deciding upon a specific dog.

1. How much grooming the dog needs.
2. How much training time you'll need to put forth.
3. Activity level of the dog.
4. The space requirements that certain dogs need.

Other things to consider:

• Money for vet bills, dog food, dog toys, etc.
• How much time you have to spend with the dog
• Are you willing to change your life and schedule with bringing in a dog.

Do you have the time and energy to invest in grooming a dog?

Short haired dogs have minimal grooming besides the occasional bath, nail clipping, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning.

Medium haired dogs need brushing at least two ro three times a week, in addition to baths, nail clipping, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning.

Long haired dogs need daily brushes, in addition to the other dog grooming that I just mentioned.

But, you, also, have to consider that some dogs just need more grooming. The Komodor needs a good bit more grooming than a poodle. Your Yorkie will need more grooming than your Chihuahua.

All dogs need training and socialization. But, some dogs just catch on quicker than others, like people. Are you prepared to take on a stubborn- quick learner, pleasant- quick learning, or an in-between dog.

Yes, the labrador retriever is an intelligent dog breed, they're not the only ones that are people pleasers and quick learners. So, I'd take a handful of dogs that you like, and do a little research on which ones have the perfect learning abilities. Find out which ones have what you're looking at putting in.

You don't want to go out and find a dog that is prone to being hard-headed and just plain stubborn if you're not willing to put in the proper training to make sure that the stubborn dog is a well behaved one.

But, then again, if you're not willing to put in proper training time, you don't need a dog at all.

You want a dog that will fit you and your personality.

If you're an active person- you jog or run daily, like walks, etc- then you'll want an active dog.

If you're a couch potato, you'll want a low- key dog.

Some dog breeds are, by nature, just more active or inactive. But, you must consider that the standard is not always the case. You just may fall in love with the pup or adult dog that is extremely active, but you may prefer video games. If that's the case, you'll have to figure that out if the time comes.

More active dogs to consider will include Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, Setters, Retrievers, and Corgis.

More Inactive dogs to consider are Greyhounds, Basset Hounds, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Pekingese.

Ok, this one may seem fairly simple.

Larger dogs tend to need more space, whereas smaller dogs require less space.

Medium to large sized dog breeds usually need more room to run an exercise. Now, this does not necessarily mean that this is the case for all dogs that are medium sized and up. As the Giant Poodle would do find in an apartment or home with a small yard. With proper exercise there are actually a good handful of larger dogs that can live happily in these conditions, but most need yards to play and run off excess energy.

Take the Border Collie, for instance... I'm pretty sure that in an apartment, you'd have some behavior problems and concerns, but a Greyhound would be fine. Now, I'm not saying that Border Collies can't live in an apartment, I'm saying they would need more strenuous exercise.

Smaller dog breeds make for great apartment dogs and dogs of people with small yards. But, that doesn't mean they wouldn't be just as happy with a large yard.

When you're thinking about which dog breed fits you and your family best, consider the mix breeds and purebreeds that are at your local animal shelter. These dogs tend to make some of the best pets.

I suggest going to your local shelter and spending some time with the puppies and adult dogs at the shelter. Maybe you'll find the perfect one.

Consider adopting the juvenile and adult dogs versus the puppies, as they tend to be more reliable in terms of personality. It makes things a little easier to decide when you can see the true personality of the dog.

When deciding upon a dog, you need to make sure that you really are ready to bring home a dog. Dog's are a lot of responsibility, and everyone in the house must take part in.

Everyone must help with training, socializing, keeping with schedules, feeding, exercising, play times, walks, lovins', and so much more.