Why Choosing The Right Dog Matters In Wyoming
Dogs have been known as "man's best friend" since the late 1800s, when a lawyer was defending his client whose dog had been killed and, in his closing arguments, described dogs as "the one absolutely unselfish friend a man can have." Believe it or not, science credits dogs for being good for your health and may actually help a person live longer.
When you live in a state like Wyoming, dogs can be a huge part of your life, and depending on your situation, not every dog is going to be a perfect match for you. If you're looking for a dog to help on the ranch, you may not want a dog with hunting instincts. If you're heading out into the mountains for a backpacking trip, you probably want to look for a dog with good energy, intelligence, and athleticism.
We hear stories about a dog owner who can't handle their dog and ends up either giving it away or, even worse, dumping it and leaving it to fend for itself. Or they're not able to give the dog the exercise or healthcare it needs to be healthy and happy. Whatever the case, it's always sad to hear, and with a little research, those situations could've been avoided.
When you get your first dog, sometimes it's an accident, and the pup shows up at your door, or you find them in a shelter ready to be adopted, you bond, and you never look back. Sometimes it's strategic planning, and you put in hours of research to find the perfect dog for your situation.
The American Kennel Club has a feature on its website that asks you a series of questions, then helps you match with a breed that will mesh with your lifestyle. At the end of the questions, the top five dog breeds that will work for your situation are recommended.
They ask questions like:
- How trainable
- Active/ energy level
- What shedding level
- The grooming frequency
- How vocal a dog do you want
- The size of the dog you'd prefer
- Your level of dog experience
- Questions about your family and living conditions
It may seem like a lot of work, but taking a little time and effort to find the dog that fits your needs will be a better experience for everyone involved.