Tag: dog breeds

Categories
Community Stories

10 Reasons Why Greyhounds Make Great Pets

There are many reasons why greyhounds make great pets. They are gentle, loving, and loyal dogs that make great companions. They are also relatively easy to care for and train. Additionally, they do not require a lot of exercise and can be content with a short daily walk or run.

Here are ten reasons why greyhounds make great pets:

1. Greyhounds are gentle and loving dogs that make great companions.

2. They are relatively easy to care for and train.

3. Greyhounds do not require a lot of exercise and can be content with a short daily walk or run.

4. They are quiet dogs that do not bark excessively.

5. Greyhounds are clean dogs that do not shed much hair.

6. They are intelligent dogs that can be easily trained to perform tricks or obedience commands.

7. Greyhounds are good watchdogs as they will alert you if someone is approaching your home.

8. They are low-maintenance dogs that do not require a lot of grooming.

9. Greyhounds are typically healthy dogs that do not have many health problems.

10. They are loyal dogs that will form a close bond with their owners.

Why You Should Get a Greyhound

If you are looking for a gentle, loving, and loyal dog that makes a great companion, then a greyhound may be the perfect pet for you. They are relatively easy to care for and train, and they do not require a lot of exercise. Greyhounds make great watchdogs and are typically healthy dogs that form a close bond with their owners.

Things You Should Know About Greyhounds

Before getting a greyhound, there are a few things you should know about these dogs. Greyhounds are high-energy dogs that need daily exercise. They also need a lot of space to run and play. Additionally, they should not be left alone for long periods of time as they can become anxious and destructive.

While greyhounds make great pets, they are not the right dog for everyone. If you are looking for a low-maintenance pet that does not require a lot of exercise or space, then you should consider another breed of dog. However, if you are willing to provide your greyhound with the daily exercise and attention they need, then you will be rewarded with a loyal and loving companion.

Adopting a Greyhound

If you are interested in adopting a greyhound, there are a few things you need to know. First, you will need to find a reputable greyhound rescue or adoption agency. Next, you will need to fill out an application and undergo a home visit. Once your application is approved, you will be able to adopt a greyhound of your own.

When adopting a greyhound, be sure to ask about their care requirements and whether they have any special needs. For example, some greyhounds may require daily medication due to allergies or other health conditions. Additionally, be sure to ask about the adoption fee as this can vary depending on the rescue or adoption agency.

Caring for Your Greyhound

Once you have adopted your greyhound, there are a few things you need to do to ensure they are healthy and happy. First, you will need to provide them with a nutritious diet and plenty of fresh water. Next, you will need to exercise them daily. This can be done by taking them for walks, runs, or playing fetch in your backyard. Additionally, you should take them to the vet for regular check-ups and vaccinations.

Greyhounds are gentle, loving, and loyal dogs that make great pets. If you are willing to provide them with the exercise and attention they need, then you will be rewarded with a lifelong companion.

Photo by S J on Unsplash

Categories
Community Stories

How To Choose The Right Dog Breed For Your Family

Many different breeds of dogs on the grass

Dogs are man’s best friend and part of the family. If you’re a pet owner and thinking about adopting a new dog but don’t know what dog breed to get, this article is for you.  

It’s crucial that you carefully choose the right fur baby, especially if you live with your family, as not everyone might appreciate the dog breed. 

Also, you need to be sure about getting a dog. Don’t discard them when you get bored. Dogs are not toys that you can just toss around. They have feelings like human beings. 

Continue reading for factors to consider in choosing a dog.

Size Matters   

Before getting a dog, you should consider how much space you have in your home or apartment. Size is a significant factor that you and your family need to consider before selecting any breed. 

If you have a spacious house with a backyard, you can go for medium or large dog breeds. It should give your fur baby enough space to play, roam around, and poop in the backyard. 

On the other hand, a small dog breed is suitable if you live in an apartment or a condo unit. These rarely need to go outdoors. Keep in mind that although tiny dogs don’t require a lot of room, most of them are prone to accidents around the house. Perhaps they’re too little, and you didn’t notice that you’re already stepping on their tail or paw.   

Large canines may also cause damage to your furniture. They’re not ideal for tiny homes because being confined to a tight space doesn’t give them enough room to release their pent-up energy, making them prone to behavioral problems.  

Here are examples of dog breeds in different sizes: 

  • Small-Sized Dogs: Bichon Frise, Dachshund, Maltese, Pomeranian, and Pug. 
  • Medium-Sized Dogs: American Foxhound, Bulldog, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, and English Springer Spaniel 
  • Large-Sized Dogs: Akita, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Mastiff, and Siberian Husky. 

Grooming Needs

Every dog needs to be groomed. It’s advisable to start getting your puppy groomed when they’re around 10 weeks old. Some dog breeds require a little more based on their coat type. If you have hairy dogs, you’ll need to groom them regularly.

Furthermore, most short-haired and smooth-coated dogs shed a lot. Hence, you’ll have to vacuum or sweep the floor and other parts of the house frequently.  

Additionally, some breeds are more susceptible to diseases than others. And dogs with floppy ears are prone to ear infections and require regular ear cleaning.

Life Stages 

The dog’s personality evolves with every life stage: puppy, adolescent, adult, and senior.  

During the first six months, puppies require a lot of training and attention. Hence, they’re best for families that can devote more time and patience. The entire process won’t be easy, and there will be a lot of damaged furniture and other items in the house. 

But on the bright side, they’ll eventually mature as they age. It’s like watching a kid grow up right before your very eyes. 

Now, adult dogs are already house-trained and a lot calmer than puppies. Additionally, you know what to expect with older dogs, and you’re familiar with their medical history.

Fits Your Lifestyle 

Look for a dog that matches your stamina. If your family lives an active lifestyle, high-spirited dogs are suitable. They will complement your energy, and you can do many outdoor activities together.  

But if you’re more of a laid-back household and prefer taking strolls around the block or park, go for low-energy dogs.  

If you randomly choose a dog, you may get frustrated or bored. 

Here are several dog breeds classified according to energy level: 

  • Active Dogs: Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Weimaraner, Belgian Malinois, and Boxer. 
  • Couch Potatoes: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Saint Bernard, Basset Hound, Pekingese, or a Neapolitan Mastiff. 

Distinguishing Traits  

Dogs have distinct characteristics. Thus, choosing the right breed suitable for the entire family is crucial.  

If you’re sensitive to animal fur, consider hypoallergenic breeds such as Affenpinscher, Bolognese, Chinese Crested, Löwchen, and Yorkshire Terrier.  

Families with infants or small children should get kid-friendly dogs like Bernese Mountain Dog, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Poodle, and Cocker Spaniel.  

If you live in an apartment with elderly neighbors, select from dog breeds that fit a quiet neighborhood, such as French Bulldog, Australian Cattle Dog, Shar-Pei, Greyhound, Shiba Inu, and Shih Tzu. 

Suppose you need guard dogs to watch over your house and the entire property. In that case, it’s ideal to get three from the following dog breeds: Appenzeller Sennenhunde, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, German Shepherd, or Rottweiler can help secure your home.

Conclusion

Choosing the best dog breed for you and your family can make all the difference. You’re not only adding a new member to the family but also giving the dog a home. 

Many dogs have been abandoned, ending up in shelters. By adopting one or two, you’re giving them a chance at a better life.  Buying a dog will do just as well, but be sure to take good care of them.

Categories
Community Stories

How to Choose the Right Dog Breed

This article was brought to you by Julia from Dogsplanet

Getting a dog is always exciting: you can already imagine all the fun you are going to have— and they haven’t even arrived yet! 

But before you return to those imagined scenes of fetch, let’s take a minute to decide which dog breed you should open your heart and home to. 

There are several factors to consider before getting a dog to ensure that both your new pup and your family can get along well, and are the best possible companions for each other. 

Here are the questions you need to ask yourself that will help you reach your conclusive decision:

Where Do You Live? 

Contrary to popular belief, the size of your home does not directly correspond with the size of dog you should get. Some large dog breeds, like Great Danes and Saint Bernards, will be perfectly happy living in an apartment, as they mostly just want to lie on the sofa next to you and cuddle. 

There are also small dog breeds that are nothing short of a dynamo, who will need a lot of space to run around, and who will do laps around your tiny flat. Practically all terriers are like that. 

Photo by Adam Kontor from Pexels

What you do want to consider is if you have a backyard. Breeds like the German Shepherd and the Boxer will absolutely need one, for example. If you live somewhere pretty isolated, you might also want to consider a guard dog breed that will also provide some added protection to your family. 

Photo by Julia Filirovska

Factor in the climate as well. Thick-coated Malamutes and Huskies won’t exactly be thrilled to live in the tropics. 

How vocal the dog breed tends to be is an important consideration as well. You don’t want the neighbors to go nuts, so maybe a Frenchie will be the right pup for your living arrangements.

How Active and Busy Are You?

The dog you choose should be your perfect match in terms of energy levels and lifestyle. If you like to hike, your dog should be able to keep up with you. If you prefer to spend your days at the beach, you want a breed that loves the water.

Be very honest with yourself when assessing your activity levels and the time you have to spend with your dog. Don’t just promise yourself you will go on longer walks and exercise more. If you have never been much of a fitness fanatic, having a dog probably won’t change you. In fact, having to get up early in the morning to walk them may just get on your nerves. 

Photo by Cesar Mendez from Pexels

If you have more of a laidback and low-activity kind of family, consider getting an English Bulldog, a Basset Hound or a Boston Terrier. All of these breeds have their distinct personalities, but don’t require that much physical activity.

If you have an active type of family, you can share your home with a Labrador, an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie. 

Are There Young Children in Your Family?

Photo by Julissa Helmuth from Pexels

Certain dog breeds are great companions for young children, and they can certainly become the life and soul of the entire family unit. If you are looking for a pet that will be patient with your youngsters and let them play dress-up and have tea parties, look no further than Golden Retrievers. 

However, make sure to also consider the amount of work the new pet will require, and how much the kids will be able to chip in. Owning a dog is certainly an amazing way to teach the kids responsibility and empathy, as long as you are realistic about the amount of help they can lend. 

Before bringing the dog home, make sure to ask about their personality and temperament. While most purebred dogs will behave true to breed, some pups will be a bit more stubborn, or a little bit more anxious than you may have hoped for. 

Do You Have Any Allergies? 

If you or any member of your household suffers from allergies, you will need to choose your dog very carefully. Hypoallergenic breeds are a thing, but even these dogs can cause an unwanted and unexpected reaction, so spend some time around them before you decide to get one.

The Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear and Poodle are all good choices if you suffer from allergies. They are also on the smaller side, so you will be able to care for them in a small apartment too, as they don’t require a yard. 

Be mindful of the way the coats of these dogs need to be cared for. The Poodle for example requires plenty of brushing and regular trips to the groomer, so make sure you are ready to set aside the time. 

Have You Owned a Dog Before?

Finally, you want to consider the amount of training and attention your new pet will need. Some breeds are notoriously hard to train and can be extremely stubborn. The Basset Hound, while great with kids, is also a very independent dog, and will require a lot of patience when training, for example. 

Other breeds, like the Corgi, will require a lot of activity and work, if you don’t want them to start herding you. They are not at all difficult to train, and are considered one of the smartest breeds, but if left to their own devices, they will likely come up with an activity you are not a fan of. 

If you have owned dogs before, and if you know how to teach a pup both the basic commands and some more complex tricks, you should essentially be fine with most breeds. 

If this is your first time owning a dog, you may want to consider a breed like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel, or even the Labrador. Border Collies and German Shepherds can also be a great choice, especially if you are looking for a dog that will love to spend time outdoors and be active. 

Wrapping It Up 

Finding the right dog breed for your family and lifestyle will require a bit of research and time. However, you will be thankful you did it, once your new pet arrives home and slots right into your day-to-day life, just like you hoped they would.

Cover Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels