Choosing a Dog That Fits Your Lifestyle

We do love our pets. In fact we love them so much that last year we collectively spent over 60 billion dollars on them. Many in the pet industry believe that in 2019 we will spend even more.

But did you also know that last year the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reported that 3.9 million dogs end up in shelters each year due to owners purchasing a breed of dog with a lifestyle that they simply cannot keep up with?

We have Hollywood to thank for some of this.

With releases like Disney's 101 Dalmatians and the subsequent run on Dalmatians that followed to the recent release of Max, many are convinced that a popular dog they see in a movie always makes for a great fit at home without really considering the breed they are choosing beyond what they see on the big screen.

Dalmatians for example are known for having unstable temperaments, and may not be the best choice for kids, despite how the movie portrayed them. But this is only part of the problem.

Primarily, too many of us are choosing dogs without really thinking about our own lifestyle and how compatible it would be in the long term for the dog.

Choosing a dog that fits your lifestyle can save you a lot of trouble down the road. Here are some questions that should factor into your decision:

1. Why do you want a dog?
2. What would you like your dog to do?
3. Do you have or plan to have children?
4. Finally, and most importantly, how much time can you devote to a dog?

The answers to these questions can be game changers for future dog owners, but with them we can all do our part in reducing the number of dogs that end up at shelters each year.