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5 Important (And Commonly Overlooked) Decisions Before Buying Puppies

Puppies are so cute and cuddly that choosing your newest family member can be a huge decision. Puppy Health , Naming Your Puppy , and Training Your Puppy are some key aspects in your new canine, but this article is designed to give you the 5 most important decisions you should make BEFORE buying your puppies. If you’re looking for any of these other common topics, feel free to click on any of the links above to go to more specific pages.

However, if you’re a potential puppies owner, then you have come to the right place. Here are 5 decisions every soon-to-be owner should make before purchasing their new companion. Read through. Trust me, it’ll save you a whole lot of headache.

Do You Want Puppies That Are Lovers or Loners?

From the wallflower to the football captain, from the high-powered CEO in New York to the hermit in the Himalayas, as humans, we all have different levels of social interaction. Dogs are no different. One of the first questions you should ask yourself before buying your puppy should be: “How many humans is my pet going to regularly encounter?”

As any dog owner will tell you, most puppies have more energy than they know what to do with at anytime, anywhere. This is all well and good until the dog matures into your full-grown canine. Suddenly, you could be stuck with a dog who enjoys being attached to only one or two humans in a household of twelve or a party animal (literally) tied down to a home with a lone owner.

Did you know that certain breeds have been discovered to have vastly different social skills? Did you know, for example, that golden retrievers have been proven to thoroughly enjoy groups of people, including large families? Or that pugs love living the quiet life? This is one of the most underestimated mistakes made in future puppy owners today. Don’t make it!

Looking for a dog that will love being in large groups? Check out our page on Top Dog Breeds for Families. Want a pooch that is accustomed to a quieter setting? Our page on Lap Dogs will prove quite helpful.

Will Your Puppies Spend Their Lives Outdoors or Indoors?

One of the most common decisions made when buying puppies is considering where their future will be spent: A small apartment with no outdoor option or a country home with a 3-acre backyard? This distinction will play a huge part in the future happiness of your baby canine.

Most vets advise owners to keep their pet indoors for the first few weeks to months, but once they have reached the age where outdoor life is safe, will you want to keep them inside or show them the backyard? Don’t think this is important? Certain breeds put outdoors can actually decline in health due to the elements! Be informed!

Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and Siberian Huskies are just a few of the dogs that have been bred through the centuries for rugged life outdoors, and won’t mind it a bit! Top Outdoor Dog Breeds has the full list!

However, Schnauzers and Terriers are among those breeds that thrive indoors, not out. Get help with this imperative decision at Dogs Breeds for Apartment Life

Will Your Puppies be Massive or Miniature When Full-Grown?

Despite what they say, size matters. As a matter of fact, when picking out your future companion, this is often considered the most crucial of all decisions made. Larger dogs can be quite the hassle physically speaking, but many owners would love the exchange of sacrifice for those huge hunks of love. Other owners would love nothing more but to hold their toy-sized Toto to their chest, despite their irrepressible Napoleon complex.

Though your puppies may start out small, rest assured that they will grow, either by a few inches, or a few feet! Whether you end up picking a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, be certain that your new loved one will be the perfect size for you.

Split up into five sections determined by weight, take a gander at the lists of breeds by size: Toy Dog Breeds; 2-9 lbs. (Maltese, Chihuahua, Pomeranian), Small Dog Breeds; 7-35 lbs.(Beagle, Bichon frise, Dachshund), Medium Dog Breeds; 35-65 lbs.(Border collie, English bulldog, Pointer), Large Dog Breeds; 55-85 lbs.(Afghan, Standard Poodle, Weimaraner), and Giant Dog Breeds; 75-120+ lbs.(Bull-mastiff, Great Dane, Bloodhound)

Do You Need to be Cautious of Puppies That Set Off Allergies or Not?

For some puppy buyers, this decision never even crosses their mind. However, those allergic to dogs can tell you the importance of picking a puppy that doesn’t shed when full-grown. Whether there is a loved one already in your life that is allergic to dogs or you would like to be conscientious for future family and friends, dogs that don’t shed can be life-savers.

Medically speaking, most humans are not allergic to dogs themselves or their hair. They are actually allergic to the dandruff that can often be found attached to the dogs’ hair. For highly sensitive humans, a dog can be a walking minefield while a shedding dog is a force to be reckoned with.

Consider being considerate for future friends with allergies, and check out this list of breeds that has been created by the American Kennel Club here: Top Dog Breeds for People With Allergies. You might be surprised with how common some of the breeds are (Poodles and Schnauzers are included!).

Do You Want Puppies That Will be Solo or Sociable?

Dogs in general are animals that have always traveled and lived in packs. However, certain breeds are specially suited to a solo existence without other dogs. Much like Decision #1, a potential puppies purchaser needs to ask him/herself: “How many other dogs is my pet going to regularly encounter?”, the difference being ¡¥other dogs’ rather than “other humans”.

Certain breeds truly do enjoy a solo life, being very territorial and independent all by their selves. Many are notorious for their “Alpha-dog” mentalities that can be so frustrating when you place two together. These breeds just adore being the top dog in their household, and if you own only one, more power to you; they will live happily flying solo.

In fact, contrary to popular belief, you will find that many breeds you are familiar with enjoy the single life, including Pugs, Golden Retrievers, and Yorkshire Terriers! Want the full list? Go to Top Dog Breeds as Solo Pets.