The BEST Breed of Dog for You

There are 175 breeds recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). That’s a lot of different dogs! For anyone looking for a dog, there’s little question you can find a breed that you will love within the seven groups. But how do you choose the right breed for you? What should you do to ensure the dog you’ve chosen will be a good match for your lifestyle? Choosing on looks alone may set you up for a heartbreak. Shelters are full of animals that, for one reason or another, didn’t fit into the homes they found themselves. All too often, this is because of too little research and too much impulse. So how do you narrow it down to the right choice for you?

Dog shows are a great source of information as they are the best way to see a lot of breeds in one place. It’s also a great opportunity to talk to breeders and owners to get the real skinny on living with a particular breed of dog. Don’t fall into the habit of only looking at the things you like in a breed. The positives are easy to live with — it’s the negatives that you will have a hard time with. A good breeder will tell you the good AND the bad about their breed. Do they shed excessively? Are they prone to barking? Are there common health issues in the breed. Ask as many questions as you can and seriously weigh the impact that the negatives will have on your life. Do you like your house to be spotless? You may think twice about bringing home…