Congratulations! You’ve made the most exciting decision to welcome a new puppy into your life. But now comes the harder part – do you know what breed you should choose? How do you even come up with that? Have no fear. We’re here to help you out.
Getting started with finding a dog breed
Most commonly, people will decide on a dog breed based on looks or on what’s trendy at the time. For example, when Game of Thrones came out, Huskies became the next, shiny new thing. But in reality, physical appearance is one of the things you should consider least when choosing a dog breed. In fact, it should be your lifestyle and the dog’s needs that you think about first – considering these two aspects is much more important to help ensure you have a long happy life together.
Here are a couple of key things that you – a new puppy parent – should think about before committing to a specific breed:
- Experienced or inexperienced dog owner
Have you owned dogs before? Sorry to burst your bubble but growing up with them as a child doesn’t really count – we’re almost certain it was your parents taking up most of the responsibilities back then instead of little, young you.
- 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. How much time are you willing to invest in training?
- Puppy vs rescue
We’re going to be really honest here – a new puppy isn’t for everyone. Before you make any decisions, think about whether you are the right kind of person, have enough time and patience for this journey. After all that thinking, you might even opt to choose an older rescue dog! But even then, you’ll still need to choose your dog breed wisely.
- Pedigree vs crossbreed
Hypoallergenic cross breeds are everywhere these days. Someone in your household may have allergies, so you need to take this into consideration when choosing your dog’s breed. .
- What’s your budget
The question of the century. If you’d like to choose a breed that’s less common among the rest, your piggy bank may be required to be a little heavier than usual. Speaking of your budget, 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’ll need to take a good look at your lifestyle to help you choose the right dog breed. Consider the following: How much do you work? How much time are you willing to spend training and exercising your dog? Do you live in the city or the country? Do you have a garden? Do you have children or might you have one day? Is anyone in your household allergic to dogs? Think of literally every aspect of your life – both now and in the future. Seems like a huge task, but everything needs to be taken into consideration to ensure you pick the perfect breed for you.
Here are some of our top picks:
- Dogs suited to living in the city
City life tends to suit the smaller breeds who need less space to run and roam, like Maltese, Bichon Frise, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers. If you prefer a larger breed, a Greyhound can be a great option; especially if you have access to a garden for those bursts of energy.
- Dogs suited to living in a flat/apartment
There’s no doubt it can definitely be a little harder to have a dog when living in a flat or apartment…but it’s not impossible if you pick the right breed! 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 feel safer being in the same space all the time, which would make it tricky to travel with them. They literally prefer their safe space. But other breeds will be happy to follow you wherever you go. Pomeranians, Labradors, French Bulldogs and even Great Danes are examples of great travel companions.
- Best dog breed for 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, Cockapoos, Golden Retrievers or Beagles. All these breeds enjoy the hustle bustle and high energy of family life. Some can’t get enough of it.
- Dogs suited to working on farms
Not all dogs will suit a working life…we’re looking at you Bassets and Bulldogs. But some just love to work. They practically live for it. Border Collies spring to mind first as the workaholics of the dog world. Other great workers can be working Cocker Spaniels or if you’re after something smaller, a Jack Russell Terrier will get the job done.
Characteristics to consider in your dog breed?
Once you’ve had a good think about your lifestyle, it’s time to think about certain characteristics you might need in your dog.
Gender
Your first consideration might be the gender of your puppy. Maybe you already have a male or female at home, introducing a new dog to the family can often be easier if its of the opposite gender.
Size
The adult size of your puppy is a huge consideration when choosing the right breed. You need to be sure that you’ll be able to handle them when they’re fully grown. This means that your home is large enough, that you can cover the costs for feeding larger breeds, and that your bones won’t break when you’re leash training.
Exercise
How much exercise are you prepared to give your dog? For dogs like Border Collies, Labradors and Huskies, you need to be able to commit to providing them with exercise daily; and often for not-so-short sessions. Others such as Chihuahuas, Yorkies and French Bulldogs prefer a more sedentary lifestyle.
Grooming
Are you prepared to spend time grooming your dog? And if snipping and grooming isn’t among your talents, do you have funds available for a professional groomer to do the deed? Breeds like Cockerpoo or, Cavapoos, all need to have their coats top tip to avoid tangles and nasty matting.
Hypoallergenic
Do you have allergies in the household, or prefer a low shedding breed? Then hypoallergenic dog breeds like a Goldendoodle or Cockapoo might be best for you and your family. Be sure to consider the individual traits of both breeds that are mixed together – 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 a pup with a calm and chilled personality, or one who is more vivacious and energetic? Are you looking for a dog who’s easy to train, or are you an experienced dog owner who doesn’t mind a challenge? Do you want your dog to be your constant companion, or someone who also enjoys laying low and being independent? All breeds have general characteristics that place them somewhere among these possibilities.
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. For example, if your house is full of white carpets, you might not want to go for a black Labrador. Colour can also have an impact on temperament in some breeds too, 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; like 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
Right. After you’ve done all your research and chosen your breed, now how do you find a breeder? If you’re 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
And after all of that’s done, the million pound question is this: Where do you start with training? Well, we’ve got you covered with that. The very best place to start is by downloading the Zigzag puppy training app. You’ll receive a full step-by-step training programme based on your pup’s breed type and age. Oh, and access to our wonderful team of expert puppy trainers to help along the way.
FAQs
Best dog breeds for first time owners?
If you’re a first-time dog owner, you generally want to go for a puppy that’s naturally sociable and easy to train. You can’t go far wrong with a trusty Labrador; but if they’re a little big for you, a Bichon Frise or Cavalier King Charles might do the trick.
Dog breeds suited to family life
A busy family needs 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?
A good breeder will help make sure your pup comes to you in the best possible health. But there are some breeds that are born particularly healthy, like Australian Cattle Dogs, Beagles, and often, Chihuahuas.
