Looking to Own a Dog? Ask Yourself - Where is Your Dog Going to Live?
So you have already established your goals and purposes in getting a dog, right? Well then, it's time to start looking at some of the more practical aspects of choosing the right dog for you. Your physical living arrangements and conditions will play a key role in determining what type of dog will work best for your lifestyle. Establishing the space you have and the place you (and your pooch) will live will be a hugely determining factor as a poor match will make things miserable for everyone involved.
What type of home do you have?
Do you live in a house or an apartment? Do you rent or own your home? Do you have a fenced-in yard? Do you live in the city or the country? All of these questions will help narrow down what type of dog you should get and will also be critical in establishing the way that you interact with your dog.
If you rent your home, check with your landlord as to whether or not you are allowed to have a dog. Many landlords will not allow any dogs while some may allow dogs but put limits as to they're size, weight, breed, or the number of dogs you could have. Still other landlords may allow you to have dogs but they are not allowed to be inside your home. Having a dog, especially if you are raising a puppy, is a big undertaking so if you were thinking of hiding the fact that you have a dog from your landlord, forget it. The last thing you need to worry about is trying to hide a dog. Likewise, if you were to get caught, it is likely that you would be forced to give up the dog or move (in which case you may have to give up the dog if you can't move or you can't find a place that will allow dogs). This would be tremendously irresponsible towards your dog as well as heartbreaking to you and/or any other family members.
If you are limited to having an outside dog, either due to rental restrictions or your own desire not to have your dog in your home, consider how much room they have outside as well as how safe it is for them. Although many people keep dogs on their property that are not restrained or fenced in, this is irresponsible pet parenting. These dogs are far more likely to be hit by cars, taken by other people, attacked by other dogs, or become prey to other animals. Loose dogs may also run away or find themselves in a situation where they feel threatened and respond aggressively. If your dog, for whatever reason, becomes aggressive with another animal or a person, they may be attacked or put down.
If you intend to allow your dog to be outside on their own, invest in a fence. You can purchase a traditional wire or picket fence to restrain your dog or go a much cheaper route and purchase an electronic fence. Bear in mind that an electronic fence will keep your dog fenced in but will not prevent other animals (or people) from access to your dog, so only go this route if you can be reasonably certain that your pet is not at risk.
Now consider the space your dog will have available to them. If you plan to live in a two bedroom apartment (where it is unlikely that you will have a fencing option) you will have fewer options than a person who owns a large house with a fenced-in yard. It is unfair to your dog to expect them to live in a place that is far too small or contained for their personality. Whether it is indoors or outside, having sufficient space for your dog to play and exercise is crucial to their well being.
On the paper with your prioritized adjectives to meet your purpose in having a dog, now write down the characteristics the dog will need in order to physically thrive in your home and whether or not you have any restrictions based on your living situation. Indicate if the dog needs to weigh less than a certain weight, if certain breeds are restricted, if you need a dog that doesn't need a lot of exercise, and so on. If any of these elements are absolute (such as required by law or by your rental contract), mark them with an asterisk as these will automatically become first priority when choosing a dog.
Where do you live?
Consider your geographic area. Whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or the country, will affect the type of dog you should get. In addition to having sufficient space, you will also want to consider other issues related to the location of your home. Are there any dog parks nearby? Do you live in a pedestrian friendly area with sidewalks or right next to a highway? How much access will you have to other people and other dogs? Some dogs require more socialization opportunities for a number of reasons. Considering these details is quite important.
What is your geographic region in the grander sense? Do you live in an area that tends to be very cold or very hot? Do you live in the desert or have lush vegetation all around (some breeds are far more likely to have environmental allergens than others)? Do you live in the mountains or on the beach? Since all dogs need some exercise and some dogs need a lot, it's important that you consider what type of environment you're expecting your dog to be in. An Alaskan Malamute is unlikely to do well in the deserts of Nevada while a chihuahua won't fare well in the Appalachian mountains.
Take a minute to jot down on your paper a few requirements your dog will need to fit in order to do well in the area you live. Such requirements may include being able to run up and down hills, doing well in cold/hot areas, does/doesn't enjoy socializing with other dogs, and so on.
How do you use your space?
Take a look around your home. Do you enjoy having nice (and valuable) things? Where do you eat? Do you have a lot of things that could be knocked over or a lot of breakable objects? Do you tend to be messy or more organized? How does your life affect the space around you?
What type of dog you get needs to fit well with you and your space. It's a challenge to housebreak a puppy while also trying to change your own habits such as not keeping shoes on the floor. If you have a lot of breakable items, you may want to consider certain breeds that are lower-energy and/or don't have a lot of force. If you have high furniture and don't want to allow your dog to sit on the couch, it will be easier if the dog is small like a Yorkie then if the dog is larger like a dalmatian. Don't make the process harder than it needs to be.
