Choosing a Puppy - Which Puppy Is Right For Me? | RSPCA - RSPCA
Choosing the right puppy for you
Before deciding on the right puppy for you and your family, consider the following:
- Space - is your home big enough for a puppy or a dog?
- Garden - will the puppy you've been admiring have a garden or outside space to play in?
- Time - puppies need exercise, training, play and company. However, different breeds need different amounts of your time. Does your lifestyle mean you can offer an active dog breed the time they'll need?
- Grooming - consider how much grooming the puppy will need. Long-haired puppies may need lots more time to groom.
- Pure breed or cross-breed - buying a pedigree puppy means you'll have an idea of what your dog will look like when fully grown. However, many breeds suffer from serious health and welfare problems that can impact their quality of life. Do your research and select breeders who can offer proof of tests to ensure the future health of their puppies.
Remember, while different breeds may be more likely to show certain types of behaviour, the way your puppy behaves as an adult will depend a great deal on their life experiences.
Certain breeds may have a reputation for growing into friendly family dogs, but if they aren't trained and socialised early, they could end up being afraid of strangers, unfamiliar dogs and even their own shadow!
Choosing where to get your puppy
Sadly, there are those who treat puppies as little more than a commodity to be bought and sold for a profit. Be sure that you're buying a puppy from a responsible breeder, or alternatively why not rehome a dog from us?
We find loving new homes for thousands of dogs each year, so start your search for a dog today.