So your kids have finally talked you into a dog? For some families this is a Hugestep. One you will have to live with. Sadly 4 out of 10 families will give up there dog in the first year! A lot of these dogs get abandoned left to wander as strays, or passed off to friends and family, or even the pound. Every year thousands of dogs are surrendered, creating overpopulation of the pounds. So make sure you choosewisely. For your families sake, and the dogs.Ok now on to the hard questions. Do you want a large, medium, or small breed dog? The best way to figure this out, is asking a few questions about your family and your lifestyle.
Big dogs are great. Big dogs are Mastiffs, Saint Bernard’s, ect. They ward off strangers who may want to do harm to you or your family. Also they can stand a lot more of the “hard loving” that small children can put out. However if a Largedog decides to attack, they can do a lot of damage. Especially if they’re not socialized as a young pup. Large breeds require a lot of exercise, tall fences, and lots of chew toys. They take a lot more time than a smaller breed. But if that’s what you want, it is truly worth the effort.
Medium sized dogs are right in the middle. NotBig but not a toy either. So middle size dogs are Australian Shepherds, Heelers, or Cocker Spaniels. They require quite a lot less exercise. They will do in a apartment. Good with kids (depending on the breed). Full of energy and love.
Toy dogs are very small, and most of time not very good with small children. With the exception of the Pug, who has been characterized as one of the sturdiest and most stable of the toys. Some of the perks to having a toy breed are they can be trained to go in a litter box, easy travelers, and they will not scare your neighbors. Most renters grant toy breeds. These breeds are perfect for people who live in apartments.
According to the AKC, the top ten dogs of 2007 are-
1. Retrievers (Labrador)
2. Yorkshire Terriers
3. German Shepherd
4. Retrievers (Golden)
5. Beagles
6. Boxers
7. Dachshunds
8. Poodles
9. ShihTzu
10. Bulldogs
You don’t always have toselect a dog from a breeder, nor dose it have to be purebred. There are many adorable puppies at the pound. Just waiting for a person to come love them! As aMom of three small kids I know how important it is to get the right dog for your family. We adopted both o0f our dogs from the local shelter. Jiminy is a Blue Heeler/Australian Shepherd. Our other dog Chessie Is a Chesapeake Retriever. They both are both willing to please, and full of love. Best of all I didn’t have to go threw the mess of potty training!
