Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Choosing a Dog Breed | Dogs are one of the best companions humans can have. They can be a great partner, offering friendship and a most ardent and loyal pet that can go above and beyond to offer us protection. Therefore, it is no surprise that most people choose a dog as their first pet or want to keep dogs as pets, despite the plethora of responsibilities that come with it.

However, there are so many dog breeds, each with its qualities that can put potential dog parents in a state of confusion. Some are great at offering protection, while some dog breeds are meant for big families. Therefore, it is perfectly fine if you have trouble choosing a breed for yourself as many factors come into play.

Thus, if you’re one of those people who need some guidance when choosing the best dog breeds as pets, then this article will help you do just that.

How To Choose a Dog Breed: 8 Factors to Consider

Your Time

Before choosing any pet but especially a dog, make sure you have a flexible timetable. If not, you should at least have some time allocated for your pet dog. This is an important factor as dogs are friendly creatures and need human interaction. It would be a grave injustice and even cruelty to get a dog and leave it alone for hours due to your hectic schedule and work timings.

Your Energy

Many dog breeds are docile with low energy levels. Some of them include a Shih Tzu or a Pug. However, many breeds have high levels of energy and keeping them entertained may prove to be a handful if a dog parent isn’t used to it. One popular dog breed is a Border Collie that needs undivided attention and exercise along with frequent play.

Your Home

Before choosing a pet from any of the dog breeds, step back and evaluate your home. This is an important consideration as you may want to choose a dog size that can easily fit your home without causing too much destruction. For example, it may be a bit difficult to keep a Great Dane if you live in a small apartment because of its sheer size. Not only this, but you may also have to consider your home’s heating and cooling, especially if you keep dog breeds that need air conditioning, such as a Husky. Therefore, make sure your home is compatible to some extent with your selection of a dog breed.

Your Financials

Just like children, dogs are a long-term commitment that requires monetary stability too. Therefore, if you get a pet dog, you must allocate some budget for them as they require nutrition, vet visits, grooming, and even toys.

Although we’ve mentioned some basic expenses you have to keep in mind, there is always the possibility of other unforeseen expenses that may arise. One of them may include a dog walker or a dog babysitter if you have to leave your pet behind. Therefore, you should do some math before getting a dog breed to calculate costs you’ll need to allocate for your dog. It’s recommended to this before bringing a pet home so that there is no injustice or lack of care from your end.

Family Size

Even though family size does not correlate directly to a dog breed, it does play some role in making the correct choice. If you have a large family with children, a Golden Retriever may be an excellent choice as they love being around people and are extremely friendly with children. Not only this, but if you have family members who work and leave the house for a few hours, you may want to select a dog that can spend some time alone without supervision. Examples of such dog breeds include a Great Dane or a Doberman.

Dog’s Age

This is an obvious factor that one should consider before choosing any dog breed. A dog’s age determines the level of care and energy you will have to provide as they will to you. For example, if you select a puppy, there is a high possibility that you will have to take care of it and dedicate your time to it.

This same is the case for a senior dog. You may be expected to take them to the vet frequently or take extra care of them. You may not receive the same energy levels as you would from some adult dogs. Therefore, if you’re looking for a jogging partner or someone to get you active and moving, an adult dog would be a better choice.

Dog’s Nature

Each dog’s nature is different, even among breeds. For example, a Golden Retriever is a popular dog breed when it comes to friendliness and companionship. However, some dogs are rowdy by nature and may create a fuss, no matter how well-fed and well-taken care they are. Such an example of dog breeds includes Akitas or Australian Shepherds, who can get aggressive easily and harm others around them.

Dog’s Maintenance

Some dog breeds require more physical maintenance due to their hair and fur. You may have to take your pet to a grooming salon once a month if your dog breeds such as a Chow Chow has a thick coat of fur. Not only this, but some dog breeds such as a Mastiff and a Bloodhound drool a lot. Therefore, you may have to take extra care of them to avoid slippery surfaces in your home.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a dog breed for yourself can be difficult. You may want to select the cutest dog breed, but they may be too high maintenance for you. There could be similar problems such as this. Therefore, it is always good to make such a decision by considering all factors listed above. Make sure you evaluate your choice based on them and conduct your own thorough research about each breed. And don’t forget, there is no right or wrong breed. It all depends on you and your lifestyle.

by Maria A Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.