Which Dog Would Suit Your Lifestyle?

Dog ownership is a big deal in the UK. According to the PDSA’s Animal Wellbeing Report for 2021, more than 26% of adult in the UK own a dog – which works out to a total of around 9.6 million animals. It’s easy to see why owning a dog is so common; they provide companionship and fun, even if they’re rarely ever put to work tracking down vermin in the same way that they might have been in past centuries.

Which Dog Would Suit Your Lifestyle?
[image: pexels by helena lopes]

If you’ve taken the decision to buy a dog, then you’ll still be left with a choice of literally hundreds of breeds. Choosing the right one can be critical. For most British dog-owners, the right dog is a Labrador Retriever, with the Cockapoo and Springer Spaniel coming just behind. That’s according to research from the National Accident Helpline, a law firm specialising in personal injury compensation.

Will it join you for a snuggle on the sofa?

If you’re looking for a companion to snuggle up to while you’re binging on Netflix, then you’ll want to consider the breed carefully. Certain dogs are much more physically affectionate than others. Labradors, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Pugs tend to be the more affectionate.

The research indicates that pets can be a calming influence during stressful moments, with 87% of the 2,000 people surveyed reporting this positive effect.

Will it join you for a run?

All dogs will benefit from regular exercise. In fact, making sure that they get this exercise is one of the principle duties of a dog-owner. Most of the time, this means a brisk walk – but in some cases, a dog might have enough energy to match you on a run. Smaller dogs might struggle with this, depending on how far you’re running. But others should be able to keep pace with you quite easily. In the wild, after all, dogs can run for hours without tiring. Dalmations, Weimaraners and Springer Spaniels all tend to be good at distance running.

Can you Afford to Look after it?

Certain breeds are more expensive to keep than others, and it’s worth making yourself aware of all of the costs before you bring the animal into your home. A Chihuahua doesn’t need to be fed as much as a Great Dane. Certain pedigree breeds are more prone to disease, because they’ve been bred with a certain aesthetic feature in mind, which often comes at the expense of the body’s ability to function. You might also consider the cost of grooming: a dog with a lot of hair, like a Samoyed, is going to require regular attention.