Tips to Choose the Best Puppy for Your Family

If you and your family have decided to add a puppy to your lives, you are all about to embark on the crazy but fun experience of becoming puppy parents. There is no better feeling than entering a shelter or a breeder's home and meeting little fuzzballs. Knowing one will be chosen to become part of your family is a thrilling emotion, but making the choice of which one should be made with a few considerations.

As a puppy-loving human, you will probably fall in love with the first puppy you see. Puppies have the most incredible eyes that hook most people at the first glance. What you have to think about is that this adorable little ball of fur will not stay a puppy for long, and soon you are going to have a full-grown dog. There are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing the best puppy for your family:

  • How large will it grow
  • What is the breed of the puppy
  • Is the breed predisposed to any health or behavior issues
  • What is the typical energy level of the breed
  • Will the puppy have a lot of maintenance as it grows and when it is full-grown
  • What is the age of the puppy

How Large Will the Puppy Grow?

The perfect puppy for your family is out there. You just need to do some research on breeds to learn how large the puppy will grow as it becomes an adult dog. There are a lot of different categories for dog breeds and these categories have different needs and personalities. For instance, a Chihuahua is a small breed and has a much different personality than a larger breed such as the Golden Retriever.

The small breed dogs are much more sensitive to being handled than the larger breeds. If you have small children in your family who can become rough in handling your new puppy, you might want to consider a larger breed than the teacups. Smaller breeds are also known to develop "Napoleon Complexes" where they get a tough personality to compensate for their small size.

The larger breeds need a lot of space to romp around and consider their larger tails swinging around your coffee table. Larger breeds are also more expensive to feed and some big breeds have health considerations to take into account. Most of these issues, however, can be addressed with proper training. Choosing big or small breeds is completely a personal choice dependent on your family structure.

What is the Breed of the Puppy?

Everyone has a favorite breed of dog, but we fall in love with all puppies because of their crazy antics and heart-melting personalities. Regardless of whether or not you have a favorite breed, you want to be sure you've researched the breed's typical temperament, health issues, and characteristics to make sure the puppy is going to fit into your family's lifestyle.

What Will the Puppy's Energy Level Be as an Adult Dog?

Different breeds of dogs have different energy levels. Consider your family's lifestyle when choosing your new puppy. If you are a person who likes to relax on the couch in the evening or one who likes to go for long runs will make a difference in which puppy you choose. You want to choose a breed that will match your lifestyle and become a great companion.

What are the Maintenance Requirements of the Breed?

Different breeds have different maintenance requirements. Long-haired dogs will require brushing and some will need professional grooming. There are also different requirements between pointed ears dogs and those that have floppy ears. The unique qualities of your puppy may require low maintenance and some will be high maintenance. You want to be sure you're prepared for whichever qualities your new puppy will acquire as it grows to adulthood.  Also consider your climate - dogs who are predisposed to allergies tend to do better in drier climates, while double-coated dogs may find the hot summers of Phoenix, AZ to be miserable, especially as an outdoor pet. 

What is the Age of the Puppy?

If you are sure you and your family are ready for a puppy, remember they develop quickly and require the most training during their first six to eight months. You could also consider a young adult dog or even a senior dog where you will have a better understanding of their maintenance needs and energy levels. 

Whichever direction you decide to go when choosing a new puppy for your family, make sure and spend as much time as possible learning about the breed and spending time with the puppy before taking them home. You will begin building a connection, or you might just discover there is another that will fit your family better.

How to Care for Your New Puppy's Skin and Coat

VetriMax has more than twenty years of experience in the veterinary and animal health industry. We have created clinically tested products to ensure the maximum benefits to your new puppy's coat and skin health. Talk to one of our experts if you have questions on how to maintain your new puppy's fur.


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