Considering adding a new furry member to your family? Find out how to find the perfect pup to suit your family.
Puppy love
The basics
Commitment
The very first thought to consider prior to choosing the right puppy to bring home is if you and your family have the necessary commitment to care for a puppy. A puppy is very similar to a child in that he will need to be nurtured, fed, potty-trained and played with. If your family has a tight schedule, then it may not be the right time to add a pup to the home.
Money
Prior to choosing a puppy to bring home, decide how much you want to spend. This will assist you and your family in knowing what medium you would like to use when conducting your puppy search. The most inexpensive choice will be to re-home via a friend or family member, or to adopt the new pet using your local animal shelter. Just remember that going this route may take time and energy, since puppies are not as available at animal shelters.
Home
If you want a pup to fit well in your home, take a careful look around. If you’re living in an apartment, choose a breed that will do well in that type of environment. Same with a small yard, big yard, no fence, etc. Ensure that your pup will do well in whatever surroundings she is going to be living in.
Family traits
Age
Age plays a huge part in which puppy you want to bring home. If your children are younger, you will want to look for a puppy that will grow into a dog that plays well with children. If your kids are older, it is most likely that you will have a larger range of breeds to work with. Make sure that you do your research to understand what dog breeds will pair well with children and make a good companion for the whole brood.
Lifestyle
If you want to find the right puppy for your family, look at your family’s lifestyle. If you are outgoing and adventurous, choose a puppy that will do well outdoors but is fine with everyday family life. If you are more likely to stay home a lot, choose a pup that does well with less activity. You want a puppy to fit in with your lifestyle, so ensure that is the kind of life he will do well living in.
Personality
Believe it or not, dogs have personalities just like we do, so choose a puppy that will have personality traits similar to that of the family. If each family member is different, find a pup that will pair well with everyone, or whomever will be his primary caregiver.
Talk it over
Lastly, before heading to the local pet shop, sit down with your family. Decide what you all want in a dog and if that is feasible. Knowing what you all are looking for will avoid disagreements and the heartbreak of bringing a furry friend into your home that doesn’t fit in well with the family.
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