You’ve made the super exciting decision to welcome a new puppy into your life! But have you considered what breed should you choose and how? Have no fear we are here to help.
Getting started with finding a dog breed
Commonly people will consider dog breeds based on what they look like or on what’s on trend at the time. For example Game of Thrones saw an increase in people wanting Huskies. Physical appearance though is one of the things you should consider least when choosing a dog breed. Your lifestyle and the dog’s needs are much more important to help ensure you have a long happy life together.
Here are key considerations a new puppy parent should think about before committing to a specific breed
- Experienced or inexperienced dog owner
Have you owned dogs before? That doesn’t mean grown up with them as a child whilst that helps a little it was most likely your parents doing the hard work.
- Happy to do training?
This means you, not the dog. You need to determine how much training you are willing and able to do with your new puppy.
- Puppy vs rescue
A new puppy isn’t for everyone; you might choose an older rescue dog but you will still need to choose your dog breed wisely.
- Pedigree vs crossbreed
Hypoallergenic cross breeds are everywhere these days. You may have allergies in the home and need this to be a consideration.
- What’s your budget
If you choose a less common breed this is likely to require a bit more saving than the more common breeds available. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of feeding your chosen breed. The bigger the dog the bigger the appetite.
Finding a pup that meets your lifestyle
You will need to look at your whole lifestyle to help you choose the right dog breed. How much do you work? How much time are you willing to spend training and exercising your dog? What environment do you live in city or country? Do you have a garden? Do you have children or might you have one day? Literally every aspect of your life you can think of both now and in the future needs to be taken into consideration to ensure you pick the perfect breed for you.
Here are some of our top picks for some common circumstances
- Dogs suited to living in the city
City living tends to suit the smaller breeds who need less space to run and roam. Maltese, Bichon Frise, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers can all suit city life. If you prefer something bigger then a greyhound can be a great city dog, especially if you have access to a garden for those bursts of energy.
- Dogs suited to living in a flat/apartment
Theres no doubt it can definitely be a bit harder having a dog in a flat or apartment but its not impossible if you pick the right breed. Get it wrong though and it can be a disaster. French Bulldogs, Cavapoos, Chihuahuas and Italian Greyhounds can all get on well in apartments.
- Dogs suited to travelling
If you are a regular traveller and need to take your dog with you there are certain breeds that will suit this more than others. Some dogs prefer the security of a constant territory so would find travel harder. But others will just be happy wherever you are. Pomeranians, Labradors, French Bulldogs and if you like a giant even Great Danes can all make great travel companions.
- Dogs suited to families
Dogs play a huge part in our families. But busy noisy households don’t appeal to all breeds. Our top picks for family dogs are Labradors, Cocker Spaniels or Cockerpoos, Golden Retrievers or Beagles all these breeds enjoy the hustle bustle and high energy of family life.
- Dogs suited to working on farms
Not all dogs will suit a working life, we’re looking at you lazy Bassets and Bulldogs. But some just love to work, work, work. Border Collies spring to mind in the first instance as the workaholics of the dog world. Other great workers though can be working cocker spaniels or if you’re after something smaller a Jack Russell Terrier.
Characteristics to consider in your dog breed?
Once you’ve had a good delve into your lifestyle it’s time to think about certain characteristics you might need in your dog.
Gender
Your first consideration might be preference for the gender of your puppy. Maybe you have an existing male and want a female or vice versa.
Size
The adult size of your puppy is a huge consideration when choosing the right breed. You need to know you will be able to handle them when fully grown, that your home is a large enough space aswell as considering the feeding cost for larger breeds.
Exercise
How much exercise are you prepared to give your dog? Can you meet their exercise needs, some dogs such as ……. Need alot of exercise each day so you need to know what you are taking on in terms of exercise commitment. Others such as …… prefer a more sedentary lifestyle.
Grooming
Are you prepared to spend time grooming your dog? And if not do you have the funds available to pay a professional groomer to keep your dogs coat tip top. Cockerpoos, Cavapoos, all need regular grooms.
Hypoallergenic
Do you have allergies in the household or prefer a low shedding breed? Then a hypoallergenic puppy like a golden doodle or cockapoo might be best for you and your family. Be sure to consider traits of both breeds in the mix though as you never quite know what you’re gonna get, as Forrest Gump would say.
Temperament
This really should be a major consideration, Do you want calm and chilled or vivacious and energetic. Easy to train or are you an experienced dog owner looking for more of a challenge? A constant companion or something more independent?
Colour
Colour shouldn’t really be a huge consideration but the way our dogs look does sometimes influence our choice or we may have a colour preference. Colour can also have an impact on temperament in some breeds too. But if your house is full of cream carpets you might not want to go for a black labrador. So weigh up practicalities when considering colour.
Sociable (children and other pets)
Everyone wants a happy sociable dog. Some breeds are better at this than others naturally think Goldies and Labradors. Others can be a bit more aloof and need to work on their social skills like Akitas and Chow Chow.
Finding a dog breeder
So you’ve done all your research and chosen your breed. Now how do you find a breeder? In the Uk look for kennel club assured breeders. Speak to breeders regularly and make multiple visits before deciding on a puppy. Try not to let your heart rule your head here. A responsible breeder will happily show you their licence paperwork and have all the documentation in place for microchips and vaccinations which your puppy must have before leaving the breeder.
Training your chosen dog breed
So.. where do you start with training? The very best place to start is by downloading the Zigzag puppy training app. It will walk you through training your pup based on their breed type and age. We even have a team of on hand puppy experts to help you along the way.
FAQs
Best dog breeds for first time owners?
For the first time dog owner you generally want a pup that’s naturally sociable and easy to train you can’t go far wrong with a trusty dependable Labrador but if their size might be too much for you then a Bichon Frise or Cavalier King Charles might suit you better.
Dog breeds suited to family life
A busy family need a dog that’s full of fun, playful and sociable. Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Jack Russels and Labradors make great family dogs.
What dog breed has the best health?
Using a good breeder will help ensure your pup comes to you in the best possible health. But there are some breeds that are particularly healthy. Australian Cattle Dogs are super healthy along with Beagles and often Chihuahuas.
