What Dog Should I Get?

Oh, man. Okay, “What dog should I get?” If I had a dollar for every time someone looked at me with those hopeful, slightly overwhelmed eyes and asked that question… I’d probably have enough money to buy a big ol’ piece of land and fill it with all the rescue dogs myself. But since I don’t, let’s talk. Because, folks, that question? It’s not a simple one. Like, really not simple. It’s probably the most important question you’ll ask yourself before inviting a furry, four-legged, deeply complex creature into your life and, let’s be honest, rearranging pretty much everything.

There’s no magic eight-ball answer here. No “one size fits all.” Choosing the right dog isn’t like picking out a new sofa – though even that requires some thought about size, style, and how much abuse it can take from kids or existing pets. A dog is a living, breathing soul with needs, feelings, and its own unique personality. You’re not just getting a pet; you’re getting a family member, a shadow, a confidante, and potentially, a source of utter chaos and unparalleled joy, sometimes all in the same ten minutes.

So, how do you figure out which one? You start by looking inward. Yeah, that’s right. Before you even glance at pictures of fluffy puppies or regal purebreds, you gotta do a little soul-searching. Be brutally honest with yourself. What is your lifestyle really like? And I mean really.

Are you up at dawn, lacing up your running shoes, ready to hit the trails for five miles? Or does your morning routine involve hitting the snooze button three times before a frantic dash out the door to catch the train? Do you work twelve-hour days, leaving the house empty? Or do you work from home, tripping over your current pets (if you have ’em) every other step? This is crucial. A Border Collie, a Husky, a German Shepherd – these are dogs built for work, for miles, for having a job to do. Stick one in a small apartment with two twenty-minute leashed walks a day, and you are signing up for destruction, anxiety, and a whole lot of frustration. Not their fault! You bought a Ferrari and are only driving it in rush hour traffic.

Conversely, are you a total homebody? Love nothing more than binge-watching shows on the couch? Maybe a high-energy, high-drive breed isn’t for you. Maybe a Bassett Hound who thinks a brisk walk to the mailbox is an Olympic event is more your speed. Or a mellow Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who just wants to be warm and near you. See? Already, your daily grind eliminates a huge chunk of possibilities.

Next honesty check: Your living situation. Apartment life? Great! Many breeds are perfectly happy in apartments, provided they get sufficient exercise outside the apartment. A tiny dog doesn’t automatically mean apartment-friendly (looking at you, yappy, high-strung little guys who hate stairs). A big dog doesn’t automatically mean they need acres (Great Danes are often surprisingly good couch potatoes, though they do take up a lot of couch). But stairs, noise tolerance (both yours and the neighbors’), and available outdoor space (even if it’s just a park nearby) all matter. House with a yard? Fantastic! But is the yard fenced? Securely? A determined escape artist like a Beagle or a scent-driven hound will find any weakness. Trust me, they are like little furry Houdinis.

Your experience level? Don’t underestimate this. Some breeds are famously easy to train, eager to please, practically born knowing “sit.” Labs, Golden Retrievers, Poodles (don’t let the fancy haircut fool you, they are smart cookies). Others? Well, they have… independent minds. Terriers, hounds, many spitz breeds. They were bred to work alone or make their own decisions. Training them requires patience, consistency, and often, a really good sense of humor. A strong-willed, stubborn dog with a novice owner can be a recipe for disaster. It’s not impossible, but you better be ready to put in the work. Lots of it. Maybe hire a good trainer.

Time and Money. Ugh, the boring stuff, right? But it’s non-negotiable. Dogs need time. Not just for walks. For training. For playtime. For grooming (some breeds shed like it’s their job, others need professional haircuts). For just being with you. They are social animals. Leaving a dog alone for nine, ten, twelve hours a day, five days a week, is not fair to them. It’s not their natural state. Consider dog walkers, doggy daycare, or finding a breed that is genuinely more independent (though very few truly thrive on solitude). And money? Oh boy. Food, toys, beds, crates… that’s the easy part. Vet bills. Routine check-ups, vaccinations, flea/tick/heartworm prevention… adds up. An emergency? Could be hundreds, thousands. Can you handle that? Pet insurance is a thing, look into it. Some breeds are also predisposed to certain health issues. Do your research. Responsible ownership is expensive. Full stop.

Okay, you’ve done the lifestyle inventory. Now, let’s think about the fun stuff. What do you want in a canine companion? Do you want a dog to cuddle on the sofa? A fluffy lapdog like a Shih Tzu or a Bichon Frise? Or maybe a sturdy, affectionate bulldog? Do you want a running partner who can keep pace with you for miles? Think athletic breeds like Vizslas, Weimaraners, or maybe a high-energy mixed breed from the shelter. Do you want a dog for adventures – hiking, camping, maybe even dog sports like agility or dock diving? Many herding breeds (Aussie Shepherds, Collies), sporting breeds, and even some terriers excel at this. Do you want a quiet presence, happy with a short walk and then napping at your feet while you work? Older dogs, or certain calmer breeds like a Newfoundland or a Bernese Mountain Dog might fit that bill (but beware the drool and shedding!).

Think about temperament, too. Every dog is an individual, absolutely. But breeds do have general tendencies based on what they were bred for. A Golden Retriever is generally happy-go-lucky and eager to please. A Rottweiler is generally loyal and protective of their family. A Jack Russell Terrier is generally a relentless, high-octane squirrel-chasing machine. Do you want a dog that’s friendly with everyone, including strangers and kids? A dog that’s more reserved or even protective? A dog that gets along with other pets (and are your current pets okay with a newcomer)? Meet dogs of the breed you’re considering. Talk to owners. Don’t just rely on breed descriptions in books or online, which can sometimes be rose-tinted.

Speaking of meeting dogs, have you thought about adoption versus buying from a breeder? This is a big one for me, personally. I am a huge advocate for rescue. Shelters and rescues are overflowing with amazing dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds (purebreds end up in rescue too!). Many are there through no fault of their own – owner died, lost job, moved somewhere dogs aren’t allowed. When you adopt, you’re saving a life. Rescues often have dogs in foster homes, where their personality and quirks become really clear, so the rescue can help match you perfectly. Plus, many rescue dogs are already spayed/neutered, microchipped, and maybe even housetrained.

Buying from a breeder? If you go this route, please, please do your research. Find a responsible breeder. This means someone who health tests their breeding dogs, who breeds for temperament as well as looks, who raises puppies in their home (not a kennel), who lets you meet the puppy’s parents, who asks you tons of questions to make sure you’re a good fit, and who will take the dog back at any point if you can no longer keep it. A responsible breeder is a guardian of the breed, dedicated to improving health and temperament, not just churning out puppies for profit. Avoid pet stores and online ads promising purebreds for cheap – these often come from puppy mills, which are horrific.

And then there’s the puppy versus adult/senior question. Puppies are adorable. Little bundles of wobbly, sharp-toothed, poop-and-pee machines. They require constant supervision, training, socialization, and patience. It’s like having a toddler who can run really fast and chew through drywall. It is exhausting, rewarding, and a massive commitment for the first year or two. An adult dog (say, 2-7 years old)? Often past the crazy puppy stage, potentially already housetrained and knows some basic commands. Their personality is fully formed, so what you see is generally what you get. A senior dog (7+)? Oh, my heart. Often calm, content with shorter walks, just wants a warm bed and someone to love them for their golden years. Adopting a senior is incredibly rewarding, giving them comfort and love at the end of their life. Don’t overlook them just because they aren’t puppies.

Let me tell you a story. My friend, super active guy, loves hiking, running. He got a beautiful Husky puppy. Purebred, stunning eyes. He figured, “High energy? Perfect! We’ll hit the trails!” What he didn’t quite grasp was the drive. This wasn’t just energy; it was an instinct to run, to pull, to follow his nose to the ends of the earth. He wasn’t interested in jogging nicely by his side; he wanted to forge ahead, chase squirrels up trees, and test the tensile strength of every leash. My friend loves the dog, truly. But he admits it’s a constant management job. They do long hikes, but it’s a different kind of walk than he imagined. He probably should have gotten a different breed, maybe a high-energy sporting breed, who are more typically focused on working with their human. Research the breed’s original purpose. It tells you a lot about their ingrained behaviors.

Another friend, busy professional, travels occasionally. She fell in love with a cute little Beagle puppy. Beagles! Happy, friendly little hounds, right? Yes. Also: loud, scent-driven, determined diggers, and surprisingly high-energy for their size, needing lots of mental and physical stimulation. Her dog was a sweetie, but the barking drove her crazy, the digging ruined her small garden, and leaving him for even a few hours resulted in separation anxiety. She eventually found a wonderful family with more time and a securely fenced yard. It was heartbreaking for her, but it was the right thing for the dog. Know the potential challenges of a breed, not just the cute parts.

So, back to the question. What dog should you get? I can’t tell you a breed name right now. But I can tell you how to figure it out. Sit down with a pen and paper, or open a doc. Make two columns. Column 1: Your honest lifestyle, your needs, your limits, your financial situation, your experience. Column 2: What you want in a dog’s temperament, energy level, required grooming, trainability. Be specific. “Needs moderate exercise, okay being alone for 4-5 hours, doesn’t bark excessively, friendly with kids, needs minimal grooming.” Or maybe, “Needs intense daily exercise, requires lots of training challenges, protective of family, okay with weekly grooming.”

Once you have that honest inventory, then you start researching breeds or looking at dogs in local shelters and rescues. Filter by size? Sure, but remember, energy level is often more important than size. Filter by energy level? Absolutely key. Filter by required grooming, trainability, temperament traits. Talk to people who own the breeds you’re considering. Not just one person, lots of people. Talk to vets, trainers, shelter staff. They see dogs day in and day out, they know the reality behind the cute pictures.

And be open to mutts! Mixed breeds are often healthier than purebreds (less likely to inherit specific breed-related genetic conditions), and they can be absolutely fantastic companions. Shelter staff can often give you a good sense of a mixed breed dog’s personality and energy level.

Finally, when you meet a dog you’re considering, spend time with them. Does their energy match yours? Do they seem happy and comfortable around you? Do you feel a connection? It sounds a bit woo-woo, I know, but sometimes it just clicks.

Getting a dog is a commitment for the dog’s entire life. Could be 10, 12, even 15+ years. It’s not a phase. It’s not something to do on a whim because a puppy is cute. It’s a beautiful, messy, wonderful journey filled with walks in the rain, furry snuggles on tough days, shared adventures, and unconditional love. Choose wisely, put in the effort, and you’ll gain a companion unlike any other. Good luck. Seriously. Do your homework. The right dog is out there waiting for you.