Dog Family Member Addition: Have You Considered…

Thinking about welcoming a dog into your family? First, congratulations! We are so excited for your pawtastic family addition. 

Maverick, the sitting pretty Goldendoodle

We know this process can be equal parts exciting and daunting, as you consider what type of dog will thrive best in your family. 

We’re running through some of the factors you may want to consider for the dog and your family: 

Size

Yes, it may seem obvious that the size of the dog is important, but think about it in many ways: 

• Will the dog have enough room in your home?

• If you have young children, a medium or large-sized dog may be best, as small dogs can be more fragile and prone to injury with children. 

• Can you maintain control of the dog on walks? If you have arthritis in your hands, a large dog may not be best for you. 

• Do you intend for the dog to be trained to perform tasks? If so, will the dog be large enough to perform said tasks? 

• Larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than their smaller canine friends. Check the lifespan of the dog in which you are interested, so you go into your dog parenthood knowing what to expect. 

• The bigger the dog, the more many things tend to cost, from grooming to medications to food. 

Hair Care & Shedding

The debate: a shedding dog versus a non-shedding dog. One is not better than the other. There are pros and cons. Let’s dive into them. 

Shedding dog

Pros

• Less grooming expenses 

• Less at-home grooming needs 

Cons 

• More cleaning

• More pet dander, so less ideal for people with dog allergies 

Non-shedding dog

Pros 

• Less pet dander than their shedding friends (still have dander - There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.)

• Less cleaning

• Brushing helps desensitize your dog and prepare him or her for medical and grooming needs 

Cons 

• More grooming expenses

• Hair brushing at least two to three times per week 

• More at-home dog grooming tools needs

Temperament 

You knew this factor was coming. This matters, perhaps more than all else. There are breed traits to consider AND each individual dog’s personality. No one should be surprised when a Golden Retriever loves playing fetch or a Border Collie loves herding. Do your research ahead of time. 

Some personality traits to consider that will help you decide if a type of dog is the right fit for you include: 

• Affectionateness 

• Playfulness 

• Patience 

• Energy level 

• Plays well with other dogs

• Interacts well with children 

• Is the breed considered a Velcro breed, as in practically attached to you? Whether the answer is yes or no, are you okay with the answer? 

• Do you have the home and/or available tasks to satisfy their needs? 

• Tends to bond with one person, such as Dobermans, or many people 

• Training difficulty level (If challenging to train, do you have the time to commit to the dog’s training needs?)

• Stubbornness (example of breed that tends to be stubborn: Boston Terrier)

• Tendency to bark (example of breed that tends to bark more: Pomeranian) 

• Cuddly, such as a Golden Retriever, or more aloof, such as a Shiba Inu 

• Protectiveness (example of breed that tends to be protective: Chow Chow) 

Then, there’s the part of this evaluation that needs to be done on an individual dog basis: the dog’s unique personality. 

Jax, the rescue dog

For example, we have two Goldendoodles, one, named Maverick, that loves children and new activities and the other, named Jax, who is nervous and grows more nervous with children when they make loud noises or touch him unexpectedly. Same kind of dog (both 50% Poodle and 50% Golden Retriever), two very different dogs.

We chose Maverick in part because of his love of people. When we met him, he ran from his puppy pack and wanted to spend every second with people. He continues to love all people and bring joy to adults and children alike. We rescued Jax at 4 years old, but we would venture to guess he was far more shy towards people as a puppy. 

We’ve watched dogs of many breeds and find this to be true: dogs are individuals, a mixture of nature and nurture. Ask the rescue or business from you you may find your dog to help you match with the dog that meets your family’s needs. Go through the list above, and let them know the traits you are seeking and those that will not work for your family or the dog. 

Level of Activity 

How much exercise does the dog breed in which you are interested need? Sure, this can vary dog to dog among dog breeds, but you can make an educated estimation of a dog’s activity level needs based on his or her breed or mix of breeds. 

Keep in mind your ability to meet a dog’s exercise needs. And note that, unfortunately, being able-bodied can be something that can temporarily or permanently change by nature or circumstance, and we need to be prepared to meet dogs’ needs regardless. That can mean hiring someone to help, bringing a dog to a dog daycare, or leaning on family and friends when situations call for it. 

Climate 

Maverick, the sitting pretty Goldendoodle donning a warm winter coat in a Wisconsin snowstorm

Believe it or not, some dogs are better suited to some climates. Sure, you can make situations work (And we’ve seen people do it.), but it is something to consider when choosing your dog. Choosing a dog that doesn’t naturally thrive in your climate may mean many more expenses for you to keep him or her healthy and comfortable. 

Living somewhere warm or that gets warm? Dogs with shorter fur and longer noses are naturally positioned to fare better than their long-haired and short-nosed counterparts in many cases. Do your research, and prepare accordingly.

Examples of breeds that thrive in colder climates, not shockingly, include Akitas, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and Saint Bernards. 

Love hiking in the summer somewhere where it gets warm? These cold weather-thrivers may need some extra help to stay cool, such as more water, more shade breaks, a portable fan and shorter walks. 

Examples of breeds that tend to thrive in warm climates include Greyhounds, Afghan Hound and Basenjis. 

Spending extended time in the cold outdoors with doggos that tend to thrive in warmer conditions, rather than the cold? They may need sweaters, a scarf and other wintertime warmth accessories. 

Congratulations

We wish you the best on this pawsome new adventure of welcoming a canine companion into your life. We hope these tips help you find the perfect match for your family and lifestyle. Here’s to many wagging tails and happy memories ahead.