Choosing a dog can be a very exciting time for all involved, yet it is vital for you to get it right. There are a few things which you and your family must consider before buying a dog, if you are to make the right match and avoid problems later on.

It is imperative that you avoid an impulse buy, as this can lead to heartache and problems for both you and your dog.

Before getting a dog, you must take a look at your budget. It can cost well over $1,000 per year for very basic care, not including things such as vet fees for illness or injury. It is also important to consider your budget when choosing a particular breed. For example, bigger dogs eat more food and need more medication, so the costs for them are higher than for smaller dogs.

One of the most important things to think about is your lifestyle and housing situations. Yard size must be carefully and honestly considered, as larger breeds obviously need more space than smaller ones. Fencing around your property must be secure to prevent them getting out.

Your free time must be carefully reviewed, as time must be devoted to the exercising and taking care of the puppy. In addition, some breeds, such as herding breeds, have more energy and need more exercise than others. For the most part, dogs tend not to run around and exercise themselves, that is your responsibility as an owner. Do you work? Dogs are generally pack animals and not designed to be solitary creatures. If they are left on their own a lot, this can cause bad behavior such as excessive barking, digging and escaping.

Do you have time and money for regular clipping and general grooming? If not, it is best to choose a more low maintenance breed with shorter coat. If you have children, that is also something to consider. Some big breeds too boisterous and can knock children over. Also, some toy breeds can be more susceptible to injury, and younger children may play rough with them, dropping them, for example.

One thing to consider is whether you would like a purebred or a mutt. Purebreds tend to be more predictable with regards to things such as size and temperament. Mutts of unknown parentage can be a bit of a gamble, but they can also make good pets. You may also choose to adopt an older dog, rather than puppy to avoid hard work of raising a young animal. But make sure that the dog has been raised well. Also, some breeds are prone to hereditary health issues, like orthopedic problems or skin allergies. If you want one of these breeds, you need to take into account the time and money which may need to be spent keeping them well.

It can be helpful to go to dog show and look at the breeds. Speak to owners and breeders of breeds which you like.

Dog selecting websites can help. You just input lifestyle factors and it can suggest some breeds which may be appropriate.

While choosing a puppy, look for the bright eyed, confident, alert puppy that is interested in you. Avoid overly shy or timid dogs. Similarly, avoid pushy over assertive ones too.

Taking time to choose the right puppy for you and your circumstances is very beneficial, and will result in you and your dog having a great life together.

Lowchen Dog Breed

The Lowchen is a member of the Bichon family and shares the title of “the little lion dog” with the imperial Pekingese. He has been well known and popular in Europe for several centuries. The little lion dog came from the practice of clipping the breed in the traditional poodle exhibition cut, the lion clip, which, complete with mane and tufted tail, gives him the look of a miniature lion. Though he may appear to be delicate, the Lowchen is a robust dog that is full of energy. He is an affectionate, intelligent, healthy small dog with a happy disposition and makes for a good show dog.

Size: A healthy adult Lowchen stands at about 10-13in and weighs between 4-9lb.

History: This breed is believed to be a French dog. He is registered with the FCI as of native origin under the title “petit chien lion.” He has definitely been well known in both France and Spain from the late 1500s and is believed to have been a favorite by the charming Duchess of Alba. In fact, a dog that possesses a strong similarity to the Lowchen appears in a portrait of the Duchess painted by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1746-1828). The Lowchen was said to have evolved in the Mediterranean area about the same time as the Bichon Frise, the Bichon Bolognese, and the Maltese. Nowadays, this breed is steadily becoming a frequent contender in the show ring in many countries.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Lowchen is 1/3 -1/2 can of high quality meat product (13.30z size) with added biscuit of equal amount in volume or 1-1 ½ cupfuls of a complete dry food. Just like all breeds, make sure that he is getting unlimited supply of drinking water.

Exercise: This breed is suitable for country as well as town living. He requires regular exercise such as a brisk walk or a good run in the park.

Grooming: Daily brushing is necessary in order to maintain the breed’s coat in good condition. Most owners prefer to take this dog to a professional groomer to get the ideal clipping, especially for show dogs.

Briard

History and origin: The Briard has been known since the 12th century and comes from the Brie area of France, where the dog is also known as the “Berger de Brie” or “Chien de Brie.” He was first used to guard herds against wolves and poachers. This breed was bred with good size and a protective weather-proof coat.

Description: The Briard stands 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 55 and 90 pounds. He has a large, strong, lanky body and a shedding coat that is long and straight or slightly wavy, with a finer undercoat.

The head is well coated, with a beard, long, arched, expressive eyebrows, and cropped or uncropped ears. The eyes are almost covered with hair. This breed requires daily brushing and combing to prevent mats. A shorter clip will reduce the maintenance requirements. The color may be black, gray, or tawny or a combination of two of these colors.

About the breed: The Briard is a great family pet, a farm worker, a good guard dog, and a successful show dog. He is loyal, easy to train, and has a gentle nature. This active, lively, independent breed is affectionate with his family and reserved with strangers.

Alert and territorial, he may be initially resistant to training. A firm, consistent technique combined with early socialization will be needed to reduce pushy, suspicious behavior. Giving this breed a job such as herding, competition obedience, or agility work will help focus his energy and increase his confidence.

The Briard may chase cars, bikes, and joggers and may not tolerate the hectic activity of young children, perhaps nipping at them in an effort to herd them. Roughhousing and chasing should not be allowed. This breed can also be dog-aggressive. The Briard may be susceptible to hip dysplasia and eye problems.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Briard is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: The Briard needs a house with a fenced yard. The owner of a Briard should be an active, firm leader, who desires an athletic, lively, intelligent breed. Daily exercise is mandatory; competition obedience or herding would help focus this breed and build his confidence.

Sedentary people should avoid this breed. Spoilers and nervous types may encourage a pushy, nippy, timid attitude. Older children who will not roughhouse or play chase games are okay. The elderly and the disabled may have trouble controlling this active breed. The Briard does better in a dry climate; wet environments tend to cause the coat to become smelly and matted.

Briard

Basenji Dog Breed

The dog Basenji goes by many names, some of which include Belgian Congo Dog, Bongo Terrier, Congo Bush Dog, Zande Dog, and Congo Terrier. What makes this breed particularly special is that he is the only breed who has no bark. But other than the absence of bark, this breed will whine and growl like other dogs, and can express his feelings with a unique yodel or chortle sound. The Basenji does have a vocal cord. However, it is believed that the past thousands of years in training to hunt game silently may explain his characteristic quietness. Nevertheless, this breed is recognized for its gentle nature and love of children. He is very inquisitive, mischievous, does not have any doggie smell, and adaptable to most climates. He can be wary around strangers and does not like the rain. He has a number of appealing features, including his curling tail, high set and lying over to one side of the back, his wrinkled forehead that gives him a worried-like look, and his habit of washing with his paw similar to a cat.

Size: The ideal height for the male Basenji is 17in at the shoulder while the ideal height for the female Basenji is 16in. The ideal weight is 24lb for the male and 21lb for the female.

History and origin: This type of breed has been depicted in many carvings in the tombs of the Pharaohs. It is said that these dogs were brought as valuable presents by travelers from the lower reaches of the Nile. The breed almost disappeared from public sight during the ancient Egyptian times until the middle of 19th century, when the Basenji was again discovered by explorers in the Congo and Southern Sudan.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for Basenji is about 11/2-2 cans of quality dog food (13.3oz size) with equivalent amount of biscuit or 3 cupfuls of dry food. This breed will also enjoy an occasional serving of green vegetables. In addition, the Basenji is a grass eater and should have plenty of access to fresh grass.

Exercise: This breed is a terrific hunter and has a tendency to put on extra weight unless he gets plenty of exercise. He is tireless, fleet-footed, and loves to take regular walks and runs. He is an indoor dog that should not be put in an outside kennel. He would love to just relax next to you and lie down in a corner. He is a great apartment dog as long as he is given enough exercise.

Grooming: A hound glove is recommended to keep his coat in great condition.

Basenji

Chihuahua Dog Breed

The Chihuahua is considered to be the world’s tiniest dog, weighing from 2 to 6 pounds. He is perceptive, intelligent, intensely loyal and passionate, very affordable to keep, and extremely protective of his house – which makes him an excellent miniature guard dog. And because he is a tiny dog, he easily gets the approval of many landlords; therefore, he is the ideal dog to own for those who live in apartments and small houses.

The adult Chihuahua normally takes a few weeks before he shows his true personality, which keeps his owner under careful observation. Some Chihuahuas give their owners an impression that they are shy, although what they are actually doing is sizing up their owner to see which one of them is to be the leader in the home.

Brief history: The Chihuahua got its name from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico where he is believed to be the sacred dog of the Incas. There is a theory that Chihuahuas were once fierce little dogs that lived in holes in the ground, which could well account for their inclination to huddle together in every warm nook and cranny.

Feeding: Chihuahuas only need a small portion of food in each meal. The requirement of a very small Chihuahua should be 2-3oz of cooked minced beef of a high-quality brand of dog food, along with a handful of puppy biscuits. These dogs do best on 2 or 3 small meals rather than 1 large daily feeding. Bigger sizes Chihuahuas are able to eat up to ½ can (13.3oz size) of high-quality dog food or the equivalent portion of home-made dog food, and a handful of biscuits.

Exercise requirement: Contrary to what many people believe, the Chihuahua is ready and able to walk as far as most owners would wish, though he will not object to an occasional ride in a shopping cart either. He gets most of his needed exercise from running around inside the house as he is playing. The fact that he only requires moderate exercise makes this dog a great choice of pet for the elderly.

Grooming: The Chihuahua should be groomed using a soft brush. A rub down with a glove or wet towel makes his coat shine. His nail needs to be trimmed regularly and the ears need to be kept clean.

Health care: This dog is not as fragile as one might think, but he does not like the cold and appreciates a thick covering to keep him warm outdoors. He is absolutely not designed for kennel living. Be careful with his molera, a small opening on top of the skull. His molera, unlike that of the human baby, may never fill in and a blow on the head could be fatal. They also have the tendency to shiver.

Chihuahua

Border Terrier Dog Breed

The Border Terrier is the smallest of all the working terriers. He has a compact, sturdy body, medium-boned, and well put together. His otter-like head sets him apart from the other terriers. His eyes have been described as “full of fire and intelligence.” He has long legs that enable him to keep up with dogs of much larger size. Perhaps the most personable of the terriers, this plain little brown dog is full of charm and life, which makes him a wonderful family dog.

He is a playful dog with lots of energy. He loves children and will play tirelessly with them. However, young children need to be instructed not to roughhouse with the dog. He is hardy, reliable, a very active breed with tenacity and great drive. He seems to have a greater desire to please than other breeds in his group. This lovable breed usually shows aggression only if spoiled. He can be dog-aggressive if not socialized early. Because of his terrier instinct, he has a high prey drive toward small animals.

Training should be patient and consistent but not overbearing, as this breed have a sensitive side to him. The Border Terrier loves to dig and should not be left alone in the yard for long periods of time. Overbearing owners may cause this breed to worry and exhibit fear-aggression.

Size: The Border Terrier stands 9-11in at the shoulder and weighs between 11 and 15lb.

History and origin: The Border Terrier is one of the oldest terriers that were used to hunt fox and badger. He is a spunky, athletic dog bred to have endless stamina and determination. He is a natural breed that evolved in the border counties of England and Scotland in the middle of the 19th century when it was a common practice to produce a terrier tailor-made for the job it would perform. The Border Terrier still works with hounds and has been less changed to meet the standards of the show ring. The breed was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1920.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is ½ – 1 can of high-quality meat product (13.3oz size) with biscuit added in same amount or 1 ½ cups of a complete dry food. Increase the amount of food for a very active terrier.

Exercise: An ideal surrounding for this breed is a fenced-in yard with plenty of space for him to run around. However, the Border Terrier can make a good apartment dog as long as he is getting plenty of exercise.

Grooming: This breed has a short, weather resistant coat that is coarse and wiry with minimal shedding and requires minimum grooming. Show dogs should be hand-stripped to tidy up for the show ring. Hand-stripping is a lengthy plucking method that preserves the texture and luster of the coat.

Border Terrier

Standard Poodle

Origins: The Poodle was originated in Germany and was first used as a water retriever. The breed’s name comes from the German word “pudelnass” or puddle. He is now kept as a companion dog and a showdog.

Description: The Standard Poodle stands 15 inches or taller at the shoulder and weighs 50 to 65 pounds. The coat is curly and non-shedding and needs to be clipped every two months. The English saddle clip and the continental clip are high-maintenance show cuts. The sporting clip is easiest to maintain. In this style the hair on the body is about an inch long, there is a pompom on the tip of the tail, a topknot of hair remains on the head, and the face, feet, and tail are clean-shaven. Daily grooming includes using a wire-pin pneumatic brush and a wire-toothed metal comb. The colors may be black, white, apricot, gray, chocolate, or cream.

About the breed: This breed is an obedient, intelligent, alert, agile dog that is always friendly and eager to please. He has a good-temperament and is normally good with strangers and yet he makes an effective watchdog. He has a character that is full of fun but sometimes gets him into trouble. The Poodle’s high level of energy is not for those who seek a lazy, easygoing dog. He needs plenty or exercise, particularly retrieving which is a constructive, enjoyable exercise in which he can excel.

Poodles learn quickly. Many are seen in the obedience ring and in agility competitions. They will respond well to training as long as you avoid heavy-handed techniques. The Standard Poodle can be one of the best family dogs around and can get along wonderfully with children. Again, Poodles need regular clipping, and it will be wise if you begin the handling, nail-clipping, and brushing sessions early in the dog’s life.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the this breed is about 1 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 3 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: The Standard Poodle needs a house with a fenced yard. The owner of this breed should be a patient, consistent leader who prefers a smart, happy, energetic dog capable of excelling in obedience. This breed is very light on his feet and therefore makes a good jogging partner. He enjoys the company of children. Spoiling this dog could encourage stubborn, nippy behavior. Time to train and exercise this breed should be available. The elderly and the disabled may have a hard time controlling this big and active breed.

Standard Poodle

History and origin: This scent hound is an old breed, dating back to Roman times. He is said to have been brought to England by William the Conqueror in 1066. This dog has the most powerful sense of smell of all the breeds. In the United States, he has been used as a tracker of fugitives and lost individuals.

Description: The Bloodhound stands 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 90 and 110 pounds. This is a large, powerful animal with great stamina and drive. The shedding coat is short and requires regular brushing with a hound glove to keep it in good condition. The color may be black-and-tan, red-and-tan, or all tan. Bloodhounds have loose, wrinkled skin and long ears.

About the breed: The Bloodhound is known to be the best tracker of all the scent hounds. He is excellent at picking up a scent and following it relentlessly until the prey is located, but he does not kill it. This breed is a highly specialized dog specifically designed to perform a single task: tracking. Breeders have created not only a dog with the best nose in the business but also a dog with a relentless, determined mind-set. The Bloodhound will follow a scent forever and ignore everything else, including you. Choosing a Bloodhound for a family pet would be like using a bulldozer to drive to the corner store. More than any other breed, the Bloodhound needs to perform the task for which he was bred. Although most of them have a very good temperament, there have been few cases of very aggressive Bloodhounds. The relentless, determined, non-thinking mind-set that is so effective in tracking can be transformed into aggressive behavior as well. When a Bloodhound becomes aggressive, he is almost impossible to stop. Keep in mind that this is a very big dog. The Bloodhound needs obedience training and socialization early in life. He is stubborn and is easily distracted by scents that you cannot perceive.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Bloodhound is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: This breed will be suitable for hunters, trackers, police departments, and search and rescue teams and is not really recommended as a family pet. He can be intolerant of children and may bite if teased or provoked. However, if you choose to have this breed as a family pet, he needs to live in the country and requires a fenced yard or kennel. The owner must be a strong, no nonsense leader and must use this breed to do the work he was bred for. Keep in mind that he needs plenty of exercise to keep him happy and healthy.

The Chinese Crested dog has a delicate and fine-boned body. The breed comes in two types- the hairless and powder puff. The hairless variety has no coat aside from the silky tufts on his head, tail, and feet – which means no hairs on carpet. Unlike all other breeds, he is hairless and has sweat glands on his body.

The powder puff variety has a medium-length, silky, soft, and shedding coat. Although still very apparent, the powder puffs have been excluded from selective breeding over a period of years. Many believe that the powder puffs are nature’s way of keeping these hairless breeds warm. This dog is handy sized, clean, odorless, and is great a pet dog as well as a show dog. He is intelligent, alert, inquisitive, courageous, gentle, devoted to his owners, and gets along well with children.

He is sometimes timid with strangers and other dogs. Training should be precise and patient. Socialization is crucial from puppy hood to help boost the confidence of this sensitive toy breed. This dog can be difficult to housebreak and can be noisy at times. Spoiling may result to a pushy and nippy dog that lacks confidence. He seldom requires veterinary care and is a free whelper. He has the ability to grip his paws in a charming and almost human fashion. This breed is allergic to wool.

Size: The Chinese Crest stands between 11-13in at the shoulder and weighs between 6-10lb.

History and origin: Though the age of this breed is not clear, it is believed to have been developed by the Chinese in the 17th century from the bloodlines of African Hairless dogs. Up until 1966, an elderly lady in the United States, Mrs. Ruth Harris owned the only examples of this breed in the world.

She introduced 4 of these to the United Kingdom. Nowadays, the Chinese Crested is becoming more and more popular and is being included in an increasing number of dog shows. The breed is also recognized by the British Kennel Club.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is ½ -3/4 can of high-quality brand dog food (13.3oz size) or the fresh meat equivalent with a cupful of small dog biscuits. You may want to keep a bowl of biscuits handy so that the dog may help himself when puckish, but remove them if you think he is becoming overweight. This breed lack premolar teeth, and thus it is inadvisable to give them bones.

Exercise: An apartment is fine for this small breed provided he gets a brisk walk or 2 each day.

Grooming: This breed requires frequent bathing. The skin should be regularly rubbed with baby oil to prevent cracking and to keep it smooth to the touch. Extra care must be taken to prevent sunburn and to maintain the skin free of blackheads to which they are prone to during adolescence.

Chinese Crested dog

Jack Russell Terrier Dog Breed

The Jack Russell Terrier has a sturdy, compact body with either a short, hard coat or a rough, wiry coat. He is handy size, full of character, and makes for a wonderful sporty companion as well as a house pet.

Though he is intelligent, he can be difficult to train because of his stubborn nature and high activity level. This breed is very affectionate with his family and usually friendly toward strangers. He can be easily distracted, particularly by scent and should be kept on leash when taken outside. Training method should be consistent and firm from puppy hood.

Size: The Jack Russell Terrier stands 11-14in at the shoulder and weighs between 10-16lb.

History and origin: This breed was initially developed by Reverend Jack Russell in Devonshire, England who died about 100 years ago. He built up a strain of wire-haired fox Terriers that would hunt with his hounds. They would also go to ground and bolt the fox. Jack Russell not only bred these unique terriers but also judged terriers at West Country shows and was one of the earliest members of the Kennel Club.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is ½ – 1can of high quality meat product (13.3oz size) with biscuit added in same amount by volume or 1 ½ cupfuls of a complete, dry food.

Exercise: This breed is suitable for apartment life provided he gets daily exercise. However, this breed needs regular activity to curb his restlessness. He loves to play with a ball and can be a good retriever.

Grooming: A daily brushing with a stiff brush is recommended to keep his coat in good condition.

Jack Russell Terrier