Before you decide to get a breed of dog based on its look or image, you need to think about what it was originally bred for. For instance, can you handle a Terrier digging in your garden, or an Australian Cattle Dog chasing other animals? This article is intended to give you some guidance when choosing a dog. There are several questions any future owners must ask themselves: "Do I have time in my busy schedule for daily walks?" or "Will my new dog get along with the children?" The next step usually involves looking for the type of dog you'd like to own.

 

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Use the PEDIGREE® Breed Selector Tool to tell us what your dog should be like, and we'll show you which breeds match your description.

Factors to consider

Selecting a dog based on real, rather than imagined, qualities is the first step toward building a successful relationship. There are factors that every owner should consider, such as matching the breed of dog to your lifestyle. Think about your lifestyle objectively, considering physical aspects such as space, and emotional aspects such as how you will keep your dog mentally stimulated. Research the type of pet you want before you buy or adopt. Speak to other owners and breeders rather than automatically trusting books or magazines that are written by enthusiasts. Even the most objective person may unintentionally exaggerate a dog's good points while minimizing the bad. Go back to the history books and study the purpose of the breed to understand the genetic traits you may have to put up with in the future. If there is a local club or organization for the breed you want, see if you can attend a meeting or get to know some of the members.

It's all about awareness

Owning a pet is all about awareness, so as a future pet owner it is your duty to find out about the dog you are going to own. This does not mean you should put up with dangerous behaviour from your dog, but it does mean that by being aware of their breeding and personality traits, you can keep them on the straight and narrow. So next time you find your Terrier digging a hole in your garden, don't punish him - find something else to occupy his mind, and remember it's in his genes.