Which dog is right for you?
There are over 200 breeds of dog recognised in the UK, all with different looks, needs and personalities, not to mention all the cross-breeds and mixed-breeds available as well. It can be daunting, but it's important (for both of you) to choose a dog that suits you and your lifestyle.
There are several criteria you might want to decide on before setting out on your search for a new companion: pedigree, cross-breed or mixed-breed? Puppy or adult? Dog or bitch? Breeder dog or rescued dog?
Genes and trainers
Dogs are more diverse than almost any other species on Earth. Thousands of years of Mankind's selective breeding has resulted in a hugely varied range from Bull Mastiffs to Pekingese and from gun-dogs to lap-dogs.
This has left many breeds with something quite valuable to the potential dog owner: predictability. Different pure-breeds behave in predictably different ways: a Husky is always ready to run and run whereas you can rely a Labrador to be laid-back and patient with children.
Different breeds also respond differently to training, so if it's important to you to have a docile and obedient dog then breed should be a factor in your selection. The greatest predictability, of course, is in appearance, so if your flat is decorated with dark carpets and black sofas, a Golden Retriever might not be your best option!
Carefully crossed breeds like Labradoodles will inherit traits from both parents, which makes them slightly harder to predict, and mixed-breeds… well it's anyone's guess! Mixed-breeds certainly have their advantages though: they tend to be more intelligent and healthier than pedigree dogs, having a larger and more diverse gene pool to draw on and a much lower chance of developing a hereditary disease.
Rescue organisation or breeder?
Even if you've decided on a pedigree dog, you still have the option of getting a rescue dog as opposed to visiting a breeder. Breeders can provide a puppy to match your requirements, at a price, but there are few things more rewarding than providing a loving home to a dog desperate for a second chance.
Many of the dogs in places like Battersea Dog's Home are homeless through no fault of their own. Some will have been bought as cute little puppies by people with no real understanding of the responsibilities of dog-ownership. Sometimes just a change of owner's circumstances will have left them homeless. Sometimes they just won't have fitted in: perhaps they were too energetic for their inactive or busy owner, or intolerant of the grasping hands of children.
For whatever reason they're there, rescue dogs come with advantages. Rescue centres will have a good idea of a dog's personality before you come to them, and will be able to match you to a dog that fits your needs. A rescue dog is likely to be older, too, and will already be toilet-trained and accustomed to people.
If you're determined to get a puppy, your best bet might be a pedigree breeder. There aren't many puppies in rescue homes, so chances are you'll have to wait for availability or travel further a-field in your search.
Choosing a gender
Opinion is divided when it comes to choosing the sex of your dog. Some people say that bitches can be friendlier and easier to train, others say they can be more aloof and less cuddly. Males might be more aggressive with other dogs, but it is hard to make sweeping generalisations.
The important thing is to have your dog neutered. Un-neutered males can catch the scent of a bitch on heat and disappear over the horizon at a moment's notice, whereas females may have phantom pregnancies and be harder to control in season. Neutering at an early age dramatically reduces these kinds of issues and also reduces the differences between the sexes to the point where it is solely a matter of personal choice.
There is also variation between breeds and litters. Ask your rescue centre or breeder for their advice on particular dogs.
Puppy or adult?
Everyone loves puppies. Their adorable cuteness and playfulness are enough to melt anyone's heart, but they're not always the ideal choice.
Puppies are definitely ‘your' dog. You can raise them in a safe and loving environment, build a unique bond with them from birth, and train them in a way that suits you and your home. On the downside they can be very high maintenance for the first year. Toilet training, obedience training and keeping your furniture safe from canine destruction can be tiring and time-consuming (not to mention expensive).
Rescue adults, on the other hand, have been through their difficult phase. Toilet-trained, accustomed to people and lower-maintenance, they can make excellent pets. Some might come with emotional scars, especially rescue dogs, but with enough patience and love it won't be long before they're happily settling into their new home.
Size matters
Size is one of the most practical considerations you'll need to take into account. If you have a small, one-bedroom apartment with no garden, don't get an Irish Wolfhound. This is largely a question of common sense, but, as a general guide, larger dogs have shorter life-spans and cost more to feed, insure and lodge in kennels should you need time to go on holiday.
Further Reading
One of the best things you can do before choosing a dog is to talk to the people who are directly involved. They will be able to assess your needs and recommend a dog to fit them, whether that's a pedigree puppy or an older rescue dog.