Dogs are by far the most popular pet, with almost two in five Australian households owning a dog.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
For the past five years, the Labrador retriever has taken top spot as Australia's most popular dog breed.
This is consistent around the world as the breed is well recognised for its outgoing personality, friendliness to both humans and other dogs along with confidence, adaptability, intelligence and they can be easily trained.
Lately, however, there has been a clear trend toward smaller breeds.
So what breed is right for you and your family? After all you are committing to care for a living, breathing being who will depend on you their entire life.
The first step to being a responsible dog owner begins before you even bring them home. Thoughtfully and seriously assessing your needs before making a decision will ensure you have long, happy lives together.
Your home environment will have an impact on the most suitable breed for you. Do you live in a flat or apartment, house or on land? Some dogs take readily to the city life (eg French bulldogs), while some dogs must have lots of open space to keep them happy (eg kelpies).
Some dogs are 'wanderers' by nature, while others are protective of their territory, and keeping your dog secure is important when selecting the most suitable breed.
Other important considerations are that some dogs need a lot of exercise for fitness and happiness. Never underestimate these needs.
On the other hand, some breeds are content with less exercise and some are great with children, but others might be more of a problem, so take care when choosing your ideal breed.
Finally, to an extent the size of your dog will be governed by what you like and don't like. Also, bigger dogs eat more than little dogs and over the year the food bill can mount, so please make sure you can afford your pet
Check out the fabulous dogzonline with resources for thorough breed indexes and information.
