How to Choose the Right Dog for You

 help keep them warm. They may also need more frequent meals and potty breaks due to their small size, so this can make them more high maintenance than some larger dogs. Don’t forget that small dogs need obedience training too! Sometimes little dogs are not trained as consistently since they are easy to pick up and physically remove from difficult situations, however, this can lead to unwanted behaviors, such as growling, nipping, or constantly wanting to be held.

Be sure you are prepared for this possibility.

Very large dogs need a bit more space to move around. Big, happy dogs with long, whip-like tails need "wagging space" to avoid tail injury or damage to household objects. Another consideration is the expenses: the larger the dog, the more expensive things like dog food, dog supplies, and medical treatments become. Training is also a key

 factor here. If you get a large or giant breed puppy that is allowed to act like a lap dog when young, he will grow up to walk all over you, literally!

Activity Level

You probably already know that some dogs have more energy than others. A dog’s activity level is often determined by breed, but it does not mean you can rely on breed alone to determine how energetic your dog could become. Every dog needs routine exercise, regardless of breed or size, so make sure you can provide this daily. If you know you can not commit to more than one or two casual walks per day, then you will probably be better off with a lower energy dog, such as a Basset Hound. If you are looking for a dog that can be a jogging partner, agility competitor, or “disc dog,” consider a breed like the Border