Getting a new dog is a joyful occasion, as you are welcoming a new addition into your family. However, it can be difficult to know how to choose a new dog to suit your lifestyle – with so many breeds, sizes, and activity levels to consider. There are even added factors to watch out for when picking up your dog, to make sure that your chosen seller is ethical. Keep reading to find out how to choose a new puppy or adult dog that’s right for you and the signs to watch out for when collecting your furry friend.
How To Know What Dog Is Best For You
Many people often fall at this hurdle, as there are so many unique dog breeds out there. The best dog for you depends on several factors, such as:
Breed Activity & Commitment Level
The dog that’s right for you largely depends on your lifestyle, and what you want out of a potential pet. Suppose you’re someone who works a busy schedule. In that case, it is important to consider whether a higher-energy breed that needs extensive walks, such as a German Shepherd or Border Collie, is the right choice for you, or whether you may need to take advantage of services such as doggy daycare. Similarly, if you have limited mobility, you may also wish to consider a low-maintenance dog as your best option. Alternatively, you may look to hire a dog walker or sitter, for example, to make sure that your dog’s needs are met.
Budget
Commitment level also raises the important factor of budget. You should thoroughly research your breed of choice before adopting them so that you are aware of any health issues they are prone to. You should also be aware of any specific feeding or lifestyle-related requirements they may have.
Having as much knowledge as possible beforehand will make sure you have the means to take care of them throughout their whole life. Additionally, you should consider that your dog will need training. Training helps to establish a bond between you, as well as ensuring that they do not pick up any bad habits. Your furry friend may also need further training if they are a rescue or a rehomed adult dog. This is because they may already have picked up negative habits, or may not have had the required socialisation or obedience training in their formative stages.
Dog Size & The Space They Need
When it comes to choosing the right dog, the space you have available is a vital factor. If you have a smaller house or a flat, a smaller dog is the best choice. However, if your dog is larger and needs to regularly let off steam, the availability of a garden or nearby green space may be needed.
Ultimately, every breed is different, and so is every dog. For example, rescue dogs who come with pre-existing trauma may require larger or smaller surroundings or constant attention. Wherever you choose to get your dog from, you should make sure to ask plenty of questions. This will help you to determine the temperament of the dog, as well as any existing issues they may have, so that you can give them the best care possible. Alternatively, if you discover that you cannot, you can then choose another more suitable dog.
The Age You’re Looking For
As well as the breed, choosing between a puppy and a dog can be difficult. Following a puppy along their journey of growing up into an adult dog can be incredibly rewarding. However, puppies need more time and attention than adult dogs. This means that if you are rarely home, a puppy is unlikely to be the best choice. Also, they may have more behavioural issues than adult dogs and will require extensive training and more supervision to make sure they are not destroying your furniture, for example. When they are in their formative period, your actions shape the dog they will be. If you are not ready for this level of responsibility, we would advise choosing an older dog.
In contrast, an older dog may have existing health issues and is likely to have pre-established routines and habits. They may also come with existing trauma or behavioural issues that will require further training. They may even need intensive or boot camp-style training to help with issues such as separation anxiety, or a lack of potty or crate training.
Your Personal Requirements
The best dog breeds for families, for example, differ from the best dogs for a busy single worker, or an elderly person. If you do not have the time to commit to training, a fully-trained dog or part-trained dog may be a good option for you. You may be looking for a rescue dog, and are willing to put in the time and care needed to best train and bond with them, providing a safe, welcoming environment for a new chance at life.
Alternatively, you may need a dog with specialist training, such as a family protection dog, an assistance dog or an emotional support dog. If you are older or more vulnerable, it may also be best to consider a smaller dog. This is because you may sustain an injury if a larger dog jumps at you. Also, smaller dogs will be easier for you to control on a walk from a physical standpoint.
What To Look For When Choosing A Puppy or Adult Dog?
As of 2020, anyone wanting to buy or adopt a puppy in the UK must legally go directly to a breeder or a rehoming centre. To pick the best puppy out of a litter, as well as when picking out your older dog, observation is key. It is important to consider the factors below, as specified in the Dog’s Trust guide, to ensure the safety of the dog, as well as to ensure that you are fully aware of any complications they may have. This will prevent any avoidable surprises later on!
Ask Plenty Of Questions
Before you even visit the breeder, you should make sure to ask questions about the puppy to learn:
- How old they are, and when they will be ready for rehoming – it is important that they are at least 8 weeks old
- Their health, vaccination and worming status
- How many introductions to people, sounds and different environments they have had or will have had by the time you pick them up
- Their pedigree registrations, if relevant
- What their current housing arrangement is (this should ideally be a home environment)
- The food they have been eating
- That they are microchipped, as this is a legal requirement before they are sold
- Whether they will use the Puppy Contract, if they are not an Assured Breeder
- If you can view the puppy with their mother
- Whether you can view them more than once
It is not just the puppy you should learn about, but also the mother. You should learn her age (she should not be very old, but older than one year old). Additionally, you should ask the number of litters she has had (this should be less than six).
Are They Being Kept In A Safe & Appropriate Environment?
It is important to meet the dogs and their breeder in the place where the dogs live. When you get there, you should check that the puppies are being kept in a suitable, safe environment. If it is a house and not a kennel, it should feel homely, as opposed to a place purely rented to sell the dogs.
How Are The Mother & Puppies Behaving & Looking?
Looking closely at the dogs, you should check their appearance and behaviour to make sure that:
- The puppy has been weaned. If they have not, this could mean that they are younger than the breeder claims.
- If they look active and healthy, showing no signs of illness.
- Whether the puppy is interacting with their mother and the other puppies from the litter.
- The mother is present, and seems content and healthy.
Check Their Paperwork With The Breeder
Before coming to an agreement, you must make sure that you have all the relevant paperwork, such as vaccination and vet records, microchipping documentation, and pedigree registrations and documents. Additionally, you should check whether returning the puppy is an option in the event of any health issues (using the puppy contract will help ensure this).
After you arrange a date to pick them up, you should make sure to schedule a health check-up with your vet within 48 hours of that date.
Trust Your Instincts
Ultimately, if you feel like something is wrong, such as the age, health, or living conditions of the dogs, or do not trust the intentions of the breeder – report it. You should always go through accredited breeders like us, to avoid being deceived or supporting unlawful practices.
Whatever dog you are looking for, we are here to help. You can browse a range of dogs for sale, from puppies to rescue dogs here. We even offer a range of training classes to help you and your dog along any stage of their life journey. Get in touch to find out more!
