Bringing a dog into your life is a major decision. But once you’ve decided that it’s the right one for you, you must then consider what type of dog will suit you and your family best. There are many factors to take into consideration when it comes to selecting the perfect pup. From size to activity level, there are all kinds of dogs out there. Donna Lea Jones is a pharmaceutical sales professional and Florida resident. She is a compassionate woman of Christian faith who spent most of her childhood growing up in Macon, Georgia, before later moving to Orlando. But beyond this, she is also a dog lover who counts one of her favorite activities as spoiling her beloved Shih Tzu. If you’ve decided to become a dog owner but just aren’t sure which is right for you, continue reading for Donna Lea Jones’ advice.

 

Consider Size

 

Size is one of the first factors to consider, shares Donna Lea Jones. Perhaps you already know that you want a cute little lap dog, or alternatively, that you want a large breed of dog. If you’re unsure, then perhaps a medium-sized breed is for you. Whatever you decide, make sure that you’ve considered any accommodations that need to be made for their size. For example, smaller dogs are more fragile and vulnerable to being stepped on. They are also more sensitive to colder temperatures so if you live somewhere cold, be prepared to keep them warm. Conversely, larger dogs need larger spaces to live in, so if you have a small one-bedroom apartment, then perhaps a small or medium-sized dog is a better fit. In addition, another consideration is that larger dogs eat more food and supplies, and so in the long-term, they are usually more expensive.

 

Consider Activity Level

 

Donna Lea Jones urges all future dog owners to consider the level of energy they wish their dog to possess. In order to make this decision, you must think long and hard about how prepared you are to facilitate the activity level of the dog. What Jones means by this is that higher energy dogs will need to be played with and taken for walks more frequently than lower energy dogs. If you’ve always dreamed of a dog that can accompany you on runs or that you can enter into an agility contest, then a higher energy dog, such as a Golden Retriever or Border Collie, might be perfect for you. Alternatively, if you are perhaps getting older and worry you may not have the energy that an active dog requires, consider a lower energy breed, such as a King Charles Spaniel or a French Bulldog. Finally, Donna Lea Jones wants to remind you that a dog’s breed is not the only indicator of its activity level. Age is another factor that can determine how energetic the dog is, with younger dogs typically having the most energy.


 

Consider Age

 

Lastly, age is critical when determining the perfect dog for you and your family. As you might imagine, puppies require the greatest amount of care, training, and attention, shares Donna Lea Jones. If you choose to buy a very young dog, prepare to house train it and know that there will likely be a few accidents along the way. Patience is key when it comes to puppies. Another option is choosing an adult dog. If you wish to have a better idea of the dog’s energy level, personality, temperament, and attitude in the long-term, then you may want to consider an adult dog. While the activity level and behavior of a puppy is likely to change over time, a more mature dog removes a lot of the unknowns as their personality is mostly formed by this point. Another benefit of choosing an adult dog is that they are often at least partially trained and socialized, compared to puppies. Finally, you may find that a senior dog is the right choice for your family. Welcoming a senior dog into your home is a truly wonderful and compassionate act, as not only will the dog bring joy to your life, but you will be making the last few years of its life exponentially better. However, Donna Lea Jones does warn that senior dogs do require more frequent trips to the vet to ensure they are still in good health, just as people do as they get older. That said, senior dogs still make fantastic companions, especially for someone after a very low energy dog that requires minimal training.

 

Donna Lea Jones concludes that choosing a dog should not be a spontaneous decision, rather it should be something that you and your family consider extensively.

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