What Dog Breed Is Best For Me

To make it easier for you to find information on the different dog breeds when you’re asking yourself, “What Is The Right Dog For Me?” I’ve created a separate page entitled What Dog Breed Is Best For Me which lists all the dog breeds discussed in this series.

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In part two of my series, “What Dog Breed Is Best For Me”
I discussed the Golden Labrador, an amiable family dog.

In this article, I’ll talk about a toy dog, the Bichon Frise.

Bichon Frise - The Lively Toy Dog

Cute and fluffy are the first things that come to mind when you see a Bichon Frise because of its small size and gorgeous white coat. If that’s not enough to fall in love with, then its affectionate personality will win you over.

The Bichon Frise is another good family pet that likes to be involved in family activities.

It’s a happy, lively, extroverted, sometimes noisy toy dog breed that demands lots of attention, likes to be the center of attention, and gets along well with people and other pets.

The Bichon Frise is a higher maintenance breed than some other dog breeds and needs frequent grooming. Its beautiful white silky coat, which is its distinguishing characteristic, needs regular attention with brushing, combing, and bathing to maintain its color and natural curliness. And a trip to the pet groomer or home clipping is required at least every several weeks, if not more frequently.

Because of its size and temperament, the Bichon Frise makes an ideal pet for a wide range of living situations - from small living quarters, such as an apartment or condo, to a house.

The Bichon Frise is a high energy dog that responds well to frequent exercise. Although regular exercise is recommended for most - if not all - dogs, the Bichon Frise can adapt to a less intense exercise schedule.

The Bichon Frise has a life span ranging from 12 - 15 years (slightly longer than that of the Golden Retriever). It’s a pretty hardy breed although it’s prone to heart and eye problems and hip malformation.

Bichon Frise Dog Obedience Training

The Bichon Frise is very intelligent. Because of its lively personality it’s slower to housetrain but does respond well to dog obedience training.

Temperament, intelligence, adaptability, and trainability are a plus. Grooming and need for lots of attention could be a minus depending upon your budget and schedule.

As always, do your due diligence before buying or getting a puppy or dog and buy from a reputable dog breeder.

My List of Cool, Clever, Popular, Unique Puppy and Dog Names has many suggestions for naming a Bichon Frise puppy or dog.

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In my first part of the “What Dog Breed Is Best For Me” series, I provided you with a number of things to consider when you ask yourself what the best breed of dog is for you.

In this segment and future segments, I’ll give you general information about dog breeds for you to consider as well as information about some of the best family dog breeds.

Selecting a dog breed that is best for you is a personal choice based on a number of considerations some of which we discussed in What Dog Breed Is Best For Me - Part I.

It’s also recommended you do any necessary due diligence about a specific dog or dog breed you are considering before buying or getting a puppy or dog.

Golden Retriever - The Amiable Family Dog

The Golden Retriever has a lot going for it as a family pet and amiable companion.

With its gentle disposition and friendly, outgoing attitude it makes a wonderful dog for a family.

The Golden Retriever is a rambunctious large dog with an easy-going temperament who needs a lot of exercise (year round) and room to run around to burn off energy. It’s the perfect dog if you like to go for long walks every day.

It’s a sociable dog, willing to please, and good with children (although you should always keep an eye on young children around any dog). It’s the type of dog that needs to be included in your family activities. That means that if you’re going somewhere, it will want to go with you.

The Goldie needs regular grooming - its coat picks up soil, mud, twigs, and other debris from the outdoors. A word of caution if you have allergies - it will leave hair on your clothes and carpet since it sheds quite a lot.

Golden Retriever Training

The Golden Retriever is intelligent, learns quickly, and responds very well to Golden Retriever obedience training which should be started early. It gets along well with other pets and has few dog behavior problems.

The Goldie has a life span ranging from 10-13 years so your children will have a loyal, playful, and affectionate companion for many years. It’s prone to hip malformation (known as hip dysplasia in dogs), cataracts (common problem with this breed), skin allergies, and other ailments which will result in veterinarian bills.

Temperament, intelligence, and trainability are a plus. Shedding (if you have dog allergies) and potential medical issues are a minus. Buy from a reputable breeder to ensure a good temperament and check for hip and eye problems.

My FREE List of Cool, Popular, Unique Puppy and Dog Names will give you ideas on what to name your Golden Retriever.

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If you’re considering getting a puppy or dog, then you’re probably asking yourself, “What dog breed is best for me?”

In this three part series, we’ll discuss how to determine what is the best breed of dog for you as well as the best family dog breeds.

In determining what the best dog breed is for you, here are 7 things to consider:

(1) What is your schedule like?

Do you have the time to devote to your puppy or dog for exercise and dog obedience training?

Remember also, dogs are very sociable and they need human interaction. So it’s important that you’re around your dog quite a lot - particularly when you first bring it home.

Also keep in mind that puppies will need lots of bathroom breaks in the beginning.

So it’s wise to be around to train it to “go” outside otherwise you’ll be investing in a lot of dog urine removers .

(2) Does your household already have other pets?

If your household has other pets, will a new puppy or dog fit in well with them?

(3) What is your budget?

A new puppy or dog requires care which costs money.

You’ll have to provide shelter, food, medical attention, and grooming.

Do you have the budget to cover those costs, especially if you had an expensive veterinarian bill from an emergency?

(4) What are your living arrangements?

Do you live alone, with your spouse or partner, with roommates, or with your family?

Do you live in a house, a condo, a townhouse, or an apartment?

If you’re allowed to have pets in your condo, townhouse, or apartment, are there any restrictions on the size of dog you can have? Small dogs are usually a better choice for a condo or an apartment.

(5) Are you an outdoors type of person?

Dogs need exercise. So consider whether you like to get out and exercise and go for walks.

(6) What’s your personality like?

Puppies and dogs require housetraining and dog behavior training.

That means you have to have patience, compassion, and good judgment.

7. What age are your children, if you’re considering a puppy or dog for your children? Some dogs are good with children. Others aren’t. And some dog breeds tolerate smaller children better.

Here are some other considerations as you ask yourself, “What dog breed is best for me.”

1. Do you have a preference for a toy, small, or large dog?
2. Are you looking for a dog that is a loyal, loving house companion or do you want a watchdog?
3. Are you looking for a dog that doesn’t require a lot of professional grooming?
4. Are you looking for a dog that interacts well with children of all ages?
5. Are you looking for a dog that barks a lot or only occasionally?
6. Are you looking for a dog that is good natured and has a gentle temperament?
7. Are you looking for a dog that trains quickly and will respond well to dog obedience training?
8. Are you looking for a dog that will live a relatively long time?
9. Are you looking for a dog that has few medical problems?
10. Do you have allergies?

As you can see, when you ask, “What dog breed is best for me?” there are a number of considerations before choosing your puppy or dog.

If you’re considering getting a puppy or dog, be sure to pick up my FREE List of Cool, Clever, Popular, Unique Puppy and Dog Names.

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