What dog would suit your lifestyle?
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic – or more specifically, the lockdowns that resulted from it – created an unprecedented demand for pets, with 3.2 million purchased as households spent more time at home. The pet-spending frenzy reminds us that pets are beloved by a majority, and that demand for them is always high – but that life can often get in the way. So which dog breed would suit your lifestyle the best?
The Homebody
If you’re looking for a dog that will keep you company at home, cuddle up with you on the sofa and otherwise be a comforting presence to you, look no further than the Labrador Retriever. A survey by personal injury specialists National Accident Helpline found that the Lab Retriever was the single most comforting dog breed in the UK, followed closely by the Cockapoo and Springer Spaniel. Lab Retrievers are loyal to a fault, endlessly huggable and no stranger to close contact – giving you the perfect furry friend to get comfy with on a rainy day.
The Active Out-and-About-er
If you’re an avid exerciser with a penchant for running or cycling, you might be looking for a friend to join you for your cardio. As such, you would be looking for a dog breed known for its speed and stamina, and one more than happy to spend long periods of time outside with you – and you’ll want to avoid dogs of a lazier disposition, such as the King Charles Spaniel. For you, the Weimaraner may well be most suited breed. Initially bred to be gundogs, they have a lot of staying power, and can keep pace with you on long routes – giving you a loyal breed to keep you company while you exercise.
The Independent Go-Getter
If you’re a career professional working long hours or often out of the house, and just looking for an independent friend to make your home life a little brighter, consider getting a cat first. All breeds of dog need some form of care and attention; if you don’t think you’ll be able to spare the time to keep your pet company for more than an hour or two a day, a cat would be a far better choice, for being a lot more independent, and for housecats being a lot less fussy about getting outside time. If you have your heart set on a dog, and believe you’ll be able to make time for them, you’ll probably want a Greyhound. Greyhounds prefer to relax alone, and their sleeping patterns prove it! They may have other requirements – many Greyhounds are ex-racing dogs, and may need a little extra care to live their best life – but are otherwise perfectly content to look after themselves. To ensure they receive adequate socialization and exercise, especially if you’re away during the day, considering a dog daycare could be beneficial.
The Family
For a household with children, certain breeds are much more appropriate than others. You would be looking for a gentle dog content to play with youngsters, that isn’t unnecessarily vocal and can happily co-exist with a larger family. The best kind of breed for a typical family environment is a Goldador, a crossbreed of Golden Retrieves and Labrador Retrievers. They are a generally placid breed who respond well to basic training – providing an excellent learning opportunity for your kids. Their needs are relatively low, besides occasional grooming and light walks, none of which will eat into the busy life of a parent, and all of which can include your children as an activity. Goldadors are loyal and kind, and often used as assistance or guide dogs due to their reliability.