All Dogs Might Go to Heaven, But Not All Are the Same

[Enlarge Photo]

When a family decides to welcome a dog into their home, it can be a day to remember for all involved. Dogs not only make great pets, but they make great friends as well, renowned for their unconditional loyalty.

But how successful a dog will adapt to its new family rests on a variety of factors beyond the dog’s control. Choosing the right dog involves more than just picking out that doggy in the window. Before families head to the shelter or nearby breeder, it’s important to consider the following factors to ensure that both the family and the dog will prove a good match for each other.

Temperament

Like people, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and all different temperaments, too. A dog’s temperament is arguably the most important thing for a family to consider when shopping for a dog. While certain breeds have become known for exhibiting certain behaviors, oftentimes the science is less exact. For example, while pit bulls are widely considered aggressive dogs, many pit bull owners would say that’s a generalization. Many have stated that their dogs, while active and fun-loving, aren’t aggressive toward humans or other dogs.

The best way to judge a dog’s temperament is to observe the dog itself before buying it. Also observe the behavior of the dog’s parents, as just like humans dogs get a lot of their behavioral patterns from mom and dad. Of course, such observation is typically only available if families go to a breeder, which will be more expensive. If you must go to a kennel, observe how a dog behaves around other dogs, and see how a dog you might adopt reacts to different members of your family, particularly children.

Financial Commitment

How much a dog initially costs won’t necessarily impact how well the dog fits into a family. However, certain breeds are more costly than others over the long haul. If money is tight, the dog may be the first to have to do without, and this could lead to physical and temperamental problems with the dog down the road.

A prime example is the English bulldog. While a popular and desirable breed to many, it’s very common for bulldogs to come with a host of physical ailments, including respiratory problems and problems with their hips that could require surgery. Families with multiple children might want to avoid such a breed in order to keep money saved for the unforeseen problems and expenses that typically arise. A dog that has needs that aren’t met will most likely develop problems, be it physical, temperamental, or both, so families need to get a grasp of the long-term financial commitments that accompany certain breeds before choosing a dog.

Current Family Members

The makeup of a family and the lives that family leads will also determine how well a dog will adapt to a given environment. Families with young children often make the mistake of choosing a dog that is very small, the theory being that a smaller dog poses less of a threat to the child. While that might be true, it doesn’t take into consideration the threat the child or children can pose to the dog. Particularly for toddlers and younger grade school children, small dogs such as shih tzus or chihuahuas are often seen as toys. This can be very harmful to the dog, which needs to be treated gently.

Another thing to consider is the lifestyles of all family members. Dogs are known for their loyalty, and often feel they need to protect the family’s turf. For families with very social lifestyles that often include inviting friends over to the house, a dog that is less protective and more friendly to strangers would be the best match.

Allergies

Before even considering which dog to get, have all members of the household tested for dog allergies. Many people are allergic to dogs, which can make for a miserable home life. There are inoculations available that can negate a pet allergy, but be sure to visit an allergist first and see just what you may or may not be allergic to.