How to Choose the Right Dog for You

How to choose the right dog for you

By LukEli K-9, Dog Training and Behavior Modification Professionals

“What kind of dog should I get? Should I get a purebred or a rescue dog”?

So many clients approach us with this question! Most may expect us to answer (or want to hear) “Hey! You should get a Golden Retriever, the all American family dog, or a German Shepherd, the loyal protector”. However, as dog trainers and behaviorists, our answer to this question is a bit more in-depth than that.

 When choosing a dog for a family pet, a companion, or even a working dog, picking a particular breed is not as important as selecting a dog for the right temperament for your family. Even though purebred dogs generally look similar and have a lot of the same innate characteristics (breed standards), they still have individual personalities and can also be shaped either positively or negatively by their unique environments.

Selective over-breeding of purebred dogs also plays a part in the non-conformation of certain breed characteristics and standards of popular dog breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Chihuahuas. Both of these breeds are having more and more temperament issues due to over-breeding for appearance rather than temperament (but that’s an entirely different blog post altogether). Medical issues with over or poorly bred dogs have become a large problem as well.

Rescues and Shelters can be a great choice when looking for a new dog. Some of the greatest dogs I’ve known have been mutts from an animal shelter. They can also potentially come with a host of unknown behavioral and temperament issues guaranteed to make you wonder what in the world you were thinking when you took that cute, fuzzy, holy terror home! Shelters are noisy, scary, and far from a normal environment; dogs will rarely act the same in your home as they do in the shelter. Training issues and associated costs can also arise with these (or any) dogs. Hidden medical ailments can cost a small fortune as well. As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration when it comes to potentially adopting a rescue dog.

Should you decide a purebred is right for you after doing your homework to research breeds, there are certainly reputable, responsible breeders out there from which you can get your new puppy. Be sure you do your best to find a puppy from one of these breeders. The same goes for shelters and rescues: there are good and bad of each of these organizations as well.

Reese Austin and Tanner.
LukEli helped Reese find his perfect pet, it was love at first sight for these two.

If you’ve decided to make the commitment to a new dog in your life, it’s a good idea to consult a professional to make sure you are mentally, financially, and physically ready for the commitment of adding a new member to your family. Before deciding whether a purebred or shelter dog is right for you, consider speaking with a dog training professional. They should discuss your future goals with your new dog, your lifestyle, financial obligations, and time commitments as well as future plans for your family. These questions will help to determine what temperament will fit in with your household. Most dog trainers work with rescues and shelters and can help you find the perfect dog for your needs. In addition, it creates peace of mind knowing you can rely on the experience and knowledge of a reputable dog trainer or behaviorist when searching for the perfect fit for your family.

Contact the professionals at LukEli K-9 Training and Behavior Modification if you’d like us to help with your search for a new pet or for more information.