You’ve had the discussions, you’ve made your home dog-friendly, you’ve worked out who will walk, feed and train the furry new addition, and now you’re ready to bring a new pup into your home. To make the process as seamless as possible, we’ve pulled together a few tips to help you in choosing the right dog and finding the perfect match for you and your family.
Temperament
Like humans, dogs and dog breeds have varying temperaments, and different personalities and behaviours. Depending on what you are looking for, you can research breeds based on the way they typically behave. For example, if you are seeking a dog with an easy-going temperament, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and Beagles are known for being calm and good for families and children.
To decide on the type of temperament that would best suit your home, consider the following:
Is everyone in your household comfortable with having a dog?
What type of personality would fit best with everyone in your home?
Are there any other pets in the home and how will they respond to living with a dog?
If you have other pets like cats, rabbits or chickens, it is important to consider the prey drive of the breed you are considering
Top tip! Even though certain breeds are known for their temperaments, behaviour is often shaped through training. Consider how much time you can invest in training your dog. A puppy requires a high level of care and time, whereas an older dog may already be trained and socialised.
Energy & activity level
A key consideration is the level of activity your dog needs and the level of activity you can or are willing to give. Some breeds require high levels of exercise, whereas others, such as Bulldogs, are not known for being overly active. Alternatively, you may be after a dog with high levels of energy, in which case, you may consider German Shepherds, Border Collies or Australian Shepherds.
Physical activity can also serve as mental stimulation, and puppies will generally have more energy than adult dogs with their own unique exercise requirements.
It’s a good idea to think about the following:
Who will exercise your dog?
Does your lifestyle enable you to walk your dog regularly?
Do you have access to a dog park, or streets that are dog-friendly and safe to walk in?
Exercise for dogs is not only important for their health, but it plays a large role in engagement and keeping them happy. If this is ignored, it can lead to a range of behavioural issues including hyperactivity, that can be difficult to correct.
Size
The size of your dog doesn’t necessarily correlate to how much energy they have. You may think that a larger dog would be full of energy, however some large breeds such as Great Danes, are not known for being overly active.
The size of your dog can, however, impact their dietary requirements. Larger dogs will require different amounts of food than a smaller dog. Dietary requirements can change as your puppy grows, and some breeds will experience varying degrees of growth. Here at Lyka, we are passionate about sustainability and health, so we recommend thinking about your food budget before deciding on which dog you will bring into your home, particularly when considering large breeds.
It’s also important to know of any health conditions your puppy may be subject to, as some breeds are more prone to health-related issues than others.
Where to find your new pup?
Chatting with other dog owners about their experience is a great way to find out if certain breeds are for you. If possible, we recommend exploring rescuing before deciding to take a puppy on board, we also recommend reviewing how to avoid puppy farms.
If you’re still unsure of which breed will best suit your family, you could try taking a quiz!
You can also check out our handy guide to bringing your new dog home, to ensure an easy and seamless transition as possible.
Lyka: customised meal plans for pups of all ages & sizes
Ensuring your puppy is being well-fed is incredibly important to keep them happy and healthy. Each breed has different dietary requirements, so here at Lyka, we tailor meal plans to suit your pup based on their breed, age, weight and activity levels. If you have a puppy, their serving size will change as they grow, so we will provide you with a planner with expected key milestones and we will adapt their pouch size once you inform us that your pup has reached these.
Our meals contain high quality human-grade ingredients, including protein, veggies and superfoods to help your pup look and feel their best from the inside out. We also ensure that our meals contain calcium and phosphorus maintained at low levels to help support your puppy’s healthy skeletal development.
