Which Dog is Right for Me?

Getting a dog is one of the most exciting decisions you will ever make - and one of the biggest! Like all important decisions, doing your homework before taking on a new pup will make sure that you're choosing the right dog for you and your lifestyle.

It's important to carefully consider what dog you would like before taking one home. It can be very easy to be swayed by big brown puppy dog eyes or a fluffy ball of energy, but remember that a dog is a long-term relationship, so it's important for you and your dog that you're compatible. 

Your dog will be a part of your life for a long time to come, so it's important to do plenty of research long before you bring a puppy home so you know what to expect and you can make the right choice when it comes to finding the right dog.

1. Pure breed or cross breed?

As a first-time dog owner, and through your research of finding the right dog breed for you, perhaps the first thing you should consider is if you'd like a pedigree, crossbreed or mixed breed dog.

With over 200 dog breeds to choose from, you are bound to find the perfect match. Every one of those 200+ breeds of dog has been developed, sometimes over hundreds of years, to be specialists at a certain job.

The advantage of choosing a pedigree dog (also known as a pure breed) is that you have a certain amount of predictability. You can be fairly certain that your four-legged friend will be a certain size, with a certain coat length and texture, character, and energy level. You'll also have a bit of warning about some potential health conditions that can affect certain breeds.

The fun really starts with mixed breeds (otherwise known as mongrels). They come from a largely non-pedigree background, and although you can sometimes see glimpses of recognisable breeds in them, it often comes down to guesswork. One of the many good things about mixed breeds is that they can often be healthier, as they usually have a larger gene pool meaning that hereditary problems are less of an issue.

2. How much exercise do you want to give your dog every day?

Some dogs will be happy with half an hour every day while others will need upwards of two hours plus training and enrichment every single day for the next 12+ years.

The rough guide is if they were bred to work all day (such as the gundog, working, pastoral and terrier groups), they are going to need a lot of exercise – as well as need an outlet of some kind for the job they were originally bred to do!

The ones that need less physical exercise often need more social contact with their own breed, giving them another dog to include play and games.

Finding the right breed for you isn’t just about what a dog looks like but whether you have the time and ability to give them the exercise, enrichment and lifestyle they need. If you can’t do that, neither of you are going to be happy and your dog is likely to develop behavioural issues as a result.

3. What environment do you live in?

Do you live in the town or the country? Some breeds are happy living in a noisy, stimulating environment. Other dogs – who were originally designed to do a job where they needed to react to movement, noise, or novelty – can find it totally over-stimulating and be constantly stressed.

If you have close neighbours, a breed that is known to be noisy will cause conflict with those living near you. Or if you don’t like noise yourself, this might be important for you too. Some breeds you will hardly know are there, while others will tell you (and everyone within earshot) about absolutely everything!

If you live in a smaller home with little outside space, then a small dog may suit you better. However, if you can take them outside for exercise several times a day, some of the larger breeds can work too. That’s because what you do together counts far more.

4. Do you want a dog to match your social tendencies?

Some breeds are more likely to love everyone (often the gundog breeds, which is why they are so popular with rural families), while others are more likely to be totally disinterested, suspicious, or even unfriendly to strangers.

There are also breeds who love people but not other dogs - or love people and dogs but would not be safe with cats or other small furries. If you have children, other dogs, cats, lots of visitors - or if you want a dog you can take everywhere - choose your breed based on this.

5. How often are you likely to leave your dog on their own?

No dog enjoys being left home alone but some breeds – especially those bred as companions – really hate it and will struggle with even the shortest of absences. Some more active dogs also can’t deal with the boredom and frustration of being left. Separation anxiety is a serious behaviour problem that is extremely difficult to deal with.

Others can, with patience, training and understanding, learn to tolerate it.

6. What kind of training do you want to do?

Some dogs are easy to train and will hang on your every word – mostly those whose original job was to work closely in harmony with their owner - while others will look on anything you ask them to do with complete disdain or at best more of a suggestion.

If you dream of competing in dog sports, then your breed choice needs to reflect this. There is a reason you don’t see Bloodhounds competing in Crufts Obedience – but then when it comes to scent work, there isn’t a breed better!

Toy breeds and the smaller companion breeds (including some of the popular crossbreeds) take longer to toilet train. This is mostly because their digestive systems are so tiny and they can’t ‘hold on’ for long, but also because they generally go to their new homes slightly older too (as they can take longer to wean). 

7. Are you ready to be covered in hair 24/7?

How much hair are you prepared to put up with in your house and all over your clothes? Some dogs shed hair… a lot, everywhere – and it’s not always the ones you think! Many short-haired breeds shed far more than longer-haired ones.

8. How much grooming do you want to do?

Some dogs can be kept clean and tidy with a quick wipe-over every now and then, whereas others will need a full, ‘down to the skin’ grooming every day. There are also breeds that don’t shed but still need daily grooming and will need regular clipping or hand stripping (which is usually done by a professional groomer).

9. Puppy or adult?

If getting the right breed and dog for you has led you down the path of getting a puppy, you'll find that they're naturally curious and keen to learn, so having time to train them is an absolute must.

Training is great fun but hard work - you'll need to teach them everything from toilet and sleep training to walking on the lead. If you have the time and the patience, you'll find their development hugely rewarding, and all the effort you put in will help build a great bond between you and your puppy.

Not everyone has the time or the inclination to take on a puppy with all the work that comes with that. A good option is to adopt an adult dog who needs a new home.

The advantage of taking on an adult dog is that you can see exactly what they have grown into. And you can find one that suits the life you’re going to want them to live.

You can find a dog who has already lived with children or cats or other dogs, who may be toilet trained, be happy to be left on their own for short periods… or whatever you need from your new companion. In other words, what you see is what you get.

Some adult dogs up for rehoming haven't been blessed with a previous loving home, so they may come to you with a bit of 'emotional baggage'. If you have the time and the experience to help them overcome this, you can create a strong relationship, give them a second chance, and help them become the dog they always should have been.

10. Dog or bitch?

Another thing you need to think about when adopting the right dog is whether you want a male or female. Opinions vary enormously, and ultimately the decision really comes down to personal preference.

Some owners say that bitches are easier to train and tend to be more loving, while others argue that females are more independent and aloof. Males are often said to be more assertive although others will argue that. Often there are differences in different breeds.

There's no simple answer, and you'll need to remember that a lot of your dog's character and behaviour will simply come down to individual personality and the amount of time that you dedicate to training and socialising.

Neutering will also affect behaviour of both males and females.

For more information on how neutering affects both males and females, take a look at our neutering FAQs page.

11. Should I get a new dog from a breeder or re-homing organisation?

If your heart's set on a pedigree puppy, then you need to find a reputable breeder.

Recommendations from your vet, other professionals or even friends or family that have the breed of your choice can be a good starting point. Contacting the relevant breed club will also be helpful as they often have a puppy list or know who has or is planning a litter. Breed clubs are registered by the Royal Kennel Club, and you can find their details on their website or by an internet search.

If your choice is a rare breed, be prepared to wait.

If you choose one of the more popular crossbreeds, it is sometime harder to find a responsible breeder who fully health tests their puppies, rears them in the home and prioritises behaviour as well as health. Once again, your vet may be able to help.

It can be incredibly fulfilling to adopt a dog from an animal shelter and offer them a second chance in life. There are many dogs waiting for a loving forever home. Each dog has its own story, and many have lost their first home through no fault of their own would love to become a part of yours.

Reputable centres will be very careful about matching the right people with the right dogs – they certainly don't want them being rejected again nor do they want you to take on a dog that's not suitable for you. Staff carefully assess the dogs they take in, and will spend time getting to know you, your family and your lifestyle before they match you with any of their dogs. They'll also be happy to give you advice and answer any questions you might have.

You can find reputable rescue organisations working to high standards via the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes.

Getting a new dog FAQs