Choosing a Dog
Choosing the right dog depends on lifestyle, space, and activity level, as each breed varies in size, temperament, and care needs. Some dogs require high energy and training, while others are low-maintenance companions.
Coat type, grooming, and compatibility with children or other pets are also important factors. Whether seeking an active partner or a gentle companion, selecting the right breed ensures a rewarding and lifelong bond.
There is an infinite variety of size, shape, coat texture and inherited ability in the pedigree breeds which have been developed by knowledgeable dog breeders over the years.
In the past, the breeds were developed to encourage an ability for certain types of work such as herding, tracking game, retrieving, guarding or as warning watch dogs. The characteristics which made the dogs suitable for these jobs are still present today, although the majority of the dogs are kept in idleness and boredom.
The domestic pets are strongly influenced by the work for which it was developed. For instance, the hound may be difficult to halt or recall when it is following scent, gundog may dig and to work underground will exercise in the flowerbeds. Hence selection of right dog and breed is very important to keep them as a pet.
The important matter to considered are size, coat type, male or female dog, adult or puppy, pedigree or mongrel.
Size, shape, coat texture and inherited ability are the important factors in choosing a dog.
Choosing a Dog Based on Size
There are various dog breeds to choose a based on size of pet:
- Giant breeds
- Large breeds
- Long haired breeds
- Medium size breeds
- Small dog breeds
- Very small toy dogs

Giant breeds
- Magnificent animals, often gently in temperament and very quiet and restful in the house, making themselves quite small in their own corner.
- However, they do need a lot of room in a car or everything, from collar to veterinary treatment, costs more.
- They need more food, more medication and boarding kennel cost are higher. Giant breeds tend to be short lived.
Large breeds
Large breeds may be boisterous in play, and aggressive with other dogs if not properly controlled.
Large breeds which have full swishing tails can do a lot of damage within the home.
Long haired breeds
Long haired breeds may need an hour‘s grooming every day. Professional trimming for Poodles, Bichons and Terriers is a regular expense.
Medium size breeds
Medium size breeds suit many families, their home and their cars. There is plenty of choice within this group.
Small dog breeds
Small dog breeds category tend to be noise. Small terrier bred to the vermin exterminators have quick snapping jaws which may make them unsuitable as pets for small children.
Very small toy dogs
Very small toy dogs are dogs under 4.5 kg in weight are not really suitable for the rough tumble of family life.
Toy dogs tend to become devoted to one or two adults who handle them carefully.
Choosing a Dog Based on Coat Type

There is variety of coat type in dogs, from absolutely hairless, naked skinned Chinese Crested, through to smooth-coated dogs like Bull Terriers, thick double weatherproof coats like Labradors; Spaniel type silky coats; harsh, bristly Terrier coats, curly, non-shedding poodles; rough, wiry Wolfhounds; to the dog with very deep corded coat like Puli.
All dog hair tangles and matts more quickly than human hair. Smooth-coated dogs require minimal grooming and mud dries on them quickly if they have been swimming or wallowing.
All coat types will require some attention. Dog such as the Old English Sheep dog and the Afghan will need to be brushed and combed daily in order to keep the skin healthy and the coat clean. Long-haired dogs tend to smell when they are wet or damp.
Poodles and Bedlingtons will require clipping and bathing every 6-8 weeks. Terriers will need hand tripping twice a year.
Male or Female Dog
Male or female dog is one of the major decision when the pen owner should consider while acquiring a dog.
In the larger, guarding breeds males tend to be significantly larger in size, more dominate in temperament and require firm handling.
Female dogs in general are more biddable, more sympathetic and kindly with children and often intuitively quicker to define their owner‘s wish.
On the other hand female dogs can experience mood swings and variable temperament during the estrous cycle.
If you want a dog as a permanent companion to be available for anything the family wants to do, then the male is perhaps more suitable, unless there are definite plan to control estrus in the female dogs.
Selection of Pups
Selection of pups or puppies is done based on:
- The pup should have the breed characters.
- Decide the type of the dog that you may require-large, medium or small.
- Breed of dog should be decided after considering space availability, temperament of the neighbour, compound wall, etc.
- Pup should be purchased from a member of kennel club.
- Most of the pups at 4-6 weeks of age look very fine and lovable. A healthy pup should be fat, with bright eyes, but should not be pot bellied.
- If possible, the litter can be watched for the individual pup behaviour. A boldest and loveliest pup should be selected and not the one that lags behind or hides.
- They should have loose, pliable skin and glossy coat, Give maximum consideration to the breed conformation.
- Bright and clear eyes would denote good condition. Avoid pups with discharge from the eyes or nostrils.
- Pups below average in bodyweight (According to the breed) should not be selected. When the litter size is large, some of the pups might be under weight, but they pick up soon.
- Overshot or undershot jaws, and such other congenital deformities should be avoided especially if the animals, are to be presented for shows.
- The gums should be pink in colour. Paleness of the gum indicates poor condition.
- The eyes including the iris should be of the same colour, shape and size.
- The ears should not have any discharge or foul smell.
- Tail should not be broken or crooked. It should be in conformity to the requirements of the breed.
- If docking has been done check up whether the wound have properly healed up without an objectionable scar.
- Examine all the four limbs, count the digits (should be equal in number) Accessory digits, if present, should be removed.
- Presence of beads at the region where the ribs join the sternum is Suggestive of rickets and such pups will require special attention, or else the bones may be deformed later.
Breed character, Kennel club registration (AKC or Local), select a bold pup, bright eye, pink gum are signs of health.