When choosing a dog as a pet, what do people mostly look for?

Question

What kinds most popular? Large or small? Maybe they buy the same kind of dog they grew up with? Does it matter how smart the dog is rated?

Answer 1

Sometimes it seems like the majority of people look for a breed of dog that is what they consider to be cute/attractive/whatever. Physical appearance is the last trait that should be considered, however.

People should be thinking about how a pet will fit into their lifestyle. That includes size, temperament, grooming needs, energy levels, etc. Then go the step further to find that special dog who will make the best companion for their family.

Think about what a breed of dog was bred to do. Dogs that were bred to be physically active will be physically active.

Better yet, go to a shelter or a rescue group and find an adult dog who is perfect for you. There's a wonderful variety of "All American" dogs out there who are in dire need of a home.

Answer 2

You need to look at your needs and the dogs needs. How much space do you have? The size of the dog is dependant on the size of your space but the activity level of the dog should be taken into account. You also need to look at things such as whether you have children or not. Some breeds are better with the little ones then others. Are you willing to put in a lot of time playing with the dog? If not don't get a dog that needs tons of exercise. Intelligence of a breed is overrated. All dogs can be trained and are capable of being excellent companions. Just remember: train them early. Do a web search for dog breed selectors or go to a bookstore and pick up a book on dog breeds. Find the one with the characterstics that best suit you and your lifestyle. You may be surprised at what you'll find.

Answer 3

I go for a companion and the size of the dog doesn't matter 2 me if they need a home and I have a good feeling about the dog than it was meant 2 be my dog. I grew up with a mutt and I still have a mutt that is at my moms house but u could say that I love the mutts because they have a great quality of each of that breed that they r mixed with. So the best advice 4 u if u r looking 4 the "right" dog is go 2 a shelter and see what dog gives u that great feeling that u r there 2 rescue and give them a forever loving home with u! Good Luck!

Answer 4

Well for girls, right now the small and fit in your purse size dogs are popular. Such as chihuahuas, pomeranians, cocakpoo, mixed toy breeds, etc.

Men tend to like larger dogs such as labs, retrievers, german sheperds, etc.

Some ppl do yes buy the same dogs they have always had. Such as my mom who always had chihuahuas and always bought those. My bf has always had chow chows and still has them

No it doesn't matter how smart, dogs arent the smartest mammal out there but thats okay, they are generally very nice. Look at different dogs, note what there personality is like. Are they nice? Happy and spirited? Do they look sickly? If they do, don't buy them

Its always better to get a dog through a certified breeder b/c the dog wll most likely have less health problems. But of course you can go to your local adoption center or pound. Or the pet stores but from what I heard, those dogs are the most sickly.

Good luck!

PS
I suggest a pomeranian, they are super cute, nice and come in many different colors! Or schnauzers or standard poodles which are both very smart.

Answer 5

4 health reasons-make sure that the puppies r realitivly chubby and all healthy dogs shoud have a damp or wet nose. Dont choose ur dog by popularity but choose it by personality. I know labs r the most popular in the US but some can be cranky. Intelligence wise-it doesnt matter, my dog isnt that "bright" but is adorable and innocent and the sweetest dog you can find! Your preference on whether to get a large or small dog-if you live in an apartment i would recomend a small dog so it wouldnt wreck the place. Large dogs some times are clumsy in small spaces so take that in mind when choosing ur dog. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

When choosing a dog you need to decide how much room you have (for large, medium, or toy). Also how much time you have. How much training the dog needs to have. Also if you have other pets or children. How smart the dog is veries with the individual not the breed. There are a lot of aspects to look at when choosing the dog

Answer 7

People choose their pets for lots of different reasons. Personally, I try to adopt animals from shelters as there are too many unwanted animals needing good homes. But there are some really great purebred dogs out there. Each breed has its own traits that may or may not suit the person. Do some serious research about different breeds to find one that fits your lifestyle. You also need to keep in mind hair length, shedding, etc. Some dogs shed their coats much more than others and some people may not want to live with that in their home.

Answer 8

The most important thing is to determine what you are looking for and what you can do with the dog. Do you have a large yard and plenty of time for exercise? Do you have a lot of room in the house? Are you able to brush the dog frequently or do you want one with low grooming maintenance? Once you know the answers to these questions, then you will better be able to pick the dog that is best for you.

Answer 9

My husband and I got a Beagle because we loved them. We picked our dog because she was the most interesting looking but we should have learned more about them first! They are very headstrong and smart, which makes them tough to train. They also howl when left alone so we had to get another dog to keep her company. When looking for her companion, we just wanted a similar sized dog with a mellow personality, which we found at the pound (he's a border collie mix). They got along right away and have been inseparable buddies for the past 13 years.

Answer 10

i look for temperment, but i've gotten all of mine as puppies. i never chose the shy one, or the one causing a ruccus, but the happy medium. the newest addition was fate and fate alone, we found a beautiful puppy, but it was killed by a coyote the night before we were supposed to get it. i was sooo devistated that the next day i went to the local shelter to go pet some dogs and make myself feel better (i would go there every weekend anyways and have for years) but this time there was a litter and they were available the next day. my bf wanted a boy (which is what we were supposed to get) but he saw the litter and fell in love with a little girl and thats who we have now. i personally dont care what breed it is, i prefer larger dogs, as in larger than toy size, but if i meet a dog and click with it, then really wouldnt matter.