Owning a dog blindly is a very scary thing, so be sure to think carefully before making a decision: What kind of dog do you need? What do you want this dog to bring to you? And what can you pay for it?
Pets depend on us, and we depend on them. For people, we may have many pets in the future, but for dogs, the owner is its life.
You may wish to make a decision as long as possible, and when your admiration for other people’s beautiful and mighty dogs slowly cools down, you can calmly consider whether to raise a dog. This is responsibility for pets and respect for life.
1. Why do you need a dog?
Feeding a dog is not a simple task, so it is necessary to think about what drove you to have the idea of owning a dog.
If it is because of the cute face of a certain dog that impresses you, then you choose a beautiful dog;
If you find life boring and want to have a dog to accompany you in your life, then you need to decide whether you want a calm and non-barking dog or a jubilant and lively dog.
When you find that the house is a bit remote and inconvenient for your family to live in, so you want to raise a dog to take on the responsibility of taking care of the home, then you need to choose the right dog breed.
Or, if you want to raise a powerful and deterrent large dog to accompany you on adventures in the wild and outdoor sports together, then obviously a lively and active dog is more suitable than a quiet and introverted dog.
It is important to be clear about your needs, which will determine whether you are willing to insist on loving it in the future when you get into trouble. The pet you choose will meet your expectations and it will become your close family and companion for more than a decade.
2. Dogs need enough exercise, can you meet them?
How long-term health is absolutely related to the amount of exercise, both for people and for dogs.
If your dog’s living area is mainly outdoors and there is enough space to run, such as an area of more than 100 meters2, such a living environment is enough for the dog, and there is no need to worry about the dog’s lack of exercise.
1. Estimate the amount of exercise of the dog according to its weight
Generally speaking, for a pet dog that survives in the city, its exercise level can be roughly estimated according to its weight.
- Adult dogs weigh < 5 kg, then indoor activity can meet the needs.
- 5 kg≤ adult dogs weigh < 10 kg and should walk for more than 15 minutes a day.
- 10 kg≤ adult dogs weigh < 15 kg and should walk for more than 30 minutes a day.
- Adult dogs weigh about 20 kg and should walk for more than 60 minutes a day.
- Adult dogs weigh ≥ 25 kg, so they should walk for more than 120 minutes a day.
2. Many owners may have a misunderstanding about the amount of exercise of dogs!
Proper diet is the key to the healthy growth of dogs, but whether they can give dogs appropriate exercise and enough exercise is the key to keeping dogs healthy for a long time.
Some owners do not have enough time or do not like to exercise, usually keep their dogs at home, and only take their dogs out for strenuous exercise on weekends or occasionally compensatory, which is very detrimental to the dog’s physical and mental health.
Especially for dogs over 8 years old, lack of exercise can cause many diseases. If you can maintain moderate exercise, you can exercise the muscles, ligaments, joints and bones of the whole body, and also stimulate blood circulation in the digestive tract, so that the digestive system can run well, so as to avoid problems such as flatulence, constipation and indigestion.
Take your beloved pet and let the dog follow your steps and move forward step by step, whether it is for dogs or people, this is the best exercise.
If you don’t have enough time and have a large dog, you can only mobilize the whole family to take the dog out several times a day, so that dog walking becomes a common sport for the whole family, which is a beautiful thing to regulate the family atmosphere.
3. The dog’s need for exercise
It is worth mentioning that large dogs do not necessarily exercise more than small dogs. Some large dogs adapt to family life and are calm and comfortable, while some small dogs such as terriers are energetic and active.
- Generally speaking, if the dog’s requirement for exercise is 2 hours or more, then it belongs to a dog breed with higher requirements for exercise;
- If the amount of exercise is within 1~2 hours, it belongs to a dog breed with moderate requirements for exercise;
- If the amount of exercise is within 30 minutes a day, this is a dog breed with low exercise requirements.
3. Is your living space suitable for dogs?
Do you live in the city or in the countryside? What type of residence is your residence? The living space largely determines what kind of dog breed you should realistically choose.
Large dogs with extremely high requirements for exercise and small dogs with high energy have higher requirements for living space, and small apartments are obviously difficult to meet their growth needs.
Some puppies who like to bark will cause dissatisfaction with neighbors, and impulsive dogs will also make people around them wary of it.
If you live in a high-rise house and need to take the elevator up and down, give preference to dog breeds that are non-aggressive and have a gentle personality.
4. Does your family agree with you getting a dog?
First-time dog owners may not really understand the strength and speed of canines, so they cannot measure the impact force of dogs. Descended from the proto-gray wolf, the instinct to hunt prey gives dogs a body structure that is good at running.
So, is your dog right for your family?
If you have elders in your family with inconvenient legs and feet, and your children are young, an overactive dog or an oversized dog may bump into them in the chase, frightening or injuring them, which is a result that no one wants to see.