Find out which dog breed suits you best based on your lifestyle

A survey conducted by the pet insurance company Petplan has shown that more than half (52%) of pet owners felt like their pet provided companionship in the past year. 

If you're considering getting a dog it's important to know which breed suits your lifestyle. To help you with this, Petplan has created a quiz to help find your ideal canine companion based on your lifestyle. 

You can take the quiz here: https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/dog/breed/breed-selector/

 

Find the right dog breed for your lifestyle

The quiz includes questions about your lifestyle, such as the size of your home, who you live with and how much daily exercise you are able to provide your dog with. These are all important questions to consider since some breeds might require more space than others. You will find examples of breeds that could suit your lifestyle below. 

Petplan surveyed over 2,000 pet owners in the UK and found that 26% of pet owners in the UK regrets getting a pet during the pandemic, and two-fifths (40%) of new pet owners worried about balancing pet ownership with the easing of the restrictions. This is also a reason why it is important to find the breed that's right for you if you're considering getting a pet!

 

Cavapoo: The perfect addition to families with children

Cavapoos are extremely social dogs and form strong bonds with their owners and the people around them. They thrive on attention and interaction, tend to be good with children and love being part of a busy household - all of which make them a great family dog. As a smaller breed, the Cavapoos need around an hour a day of exercise, which can be good when you're busy with children. 

The quiz gives you this breed if, for example, you have a small space with children and little experience with dogs. 

 

Labrador Retrievers: When you have the time, energy and space to take care of a bigger dog

Labrador Retrievers were bred as working dogs, so they are energetic and extremely active both in body and mind. So remember that adult Labradors will need at least two hours of exercise per day, including lots of mental stimulation. This loyal breed thrives in the company of its owner and is best suited to households where someone will be around most of the time. 

You will be advised to choose this breed if you have plenty of both indoor and outdoor space, have a lively household and have time for at least 2 hours of walk every day. 

 

Dachshund: If you work from an office, this might be the breed for you

The Dachshund is known for being independent and playful, but also incredibly loyal. This breed only needs an hour of exercise every day and therefore can be suitable for someone who is often on the go. As a loyal breed, your Dachshund will relish time spent in your company, even in the office and they can be great work companions! They also rarely shed and the short-haired Dachshund requires little brushing. 

If you have selected that you live in a small space, have time to go out on at least an hour's walk and have time for training a few times a week, then this is the dog for you. 

 

 

Q&A with Nick Jones and Brian Faulkner

Q: Why is it important to think about the type of dog to get depending on what type of home you have?

 

Nick Jones: Even some of the larger breeds can cope in a smaller home, but this will place a greater emphasis upon getting out of the home each day and into open green spaces for exercise and social interaction with other dogs, people and locations within your living area. 



Practically speaking, a large dog in a small home can have various impacts on simple things like manoeuvring around the dog in tight spaces, through to other practical considerations such as rest locations for the dog as it's not ideal for a dog bed or dog crate to occupy half a living room.

Another example that comes to mind (regardless of its size) is keeping a dog in a flat, with multiple stairs to navigate on each toilet break and indeed where you are going to take the dog to the toilet every hour or more. 

Larger homes present their own unique set of problems, such as being able to keep an eye on a dog that is able to move about a large home or garden. Knowing where your dog is and what it's doing is an essential and basic part of caring for a dog throughout its life.

Q: What are the typical things to consider before getting a dog? 

Brian Faulkner: When people are considering getting a dog it is important to do some homework. The three main considerations are space, time and finances.  Most dog breeds are naturally energetic and need space in order to maintain both their physical and mental health. Obviously, the larger and more energetic the breed, the more space they require.  Dogs are social animals and therefore require company and stimulation in order to thrive and be happy. Leaving a dog alone for long periods often leads to compromised wellbeing due to anxiety and boredom. What's more,dog ownership isn't cheap. Even the healthiest dog requires investment in good nutrition, preventative healthcare, including vaccinations and parasite control. Unfortunately, few dogs go through their entire lives without requiring at least some veterinary care. Sudden and prolonged illnesses can often result in vet bills that reach thousands of pounds.

Q: Does your living situation (city vs rural areas) affect what kind of breed you should get? 

Brian Faulkner: There are many variables that affect which breeds of dogs are best suited to urban or rural environments. Although most breeds of dogs can ultimately adapt to both city and country life, the most obvious consideration is the space required to exercise larger, more energetic breeds. Whilst exercise facilities do exist in built-up areas, rural environments generally benefit from having a wider range of woodland walks in which dogs can run freely. Urban environments are associated with greater levels of air pollution. This can potentially impact breeds that are more prone to respiratory issues such as the short-faced breeds, or breeds with a greater incidence of cardiac issues.

Q: How can you tackle separation anxiety when you start going to the office more frequently?

Nick Jones: Ideally the owner will start some preparation before the date of returning to work so that the desired time for being left alone is worked towards over a few weeks to help ensure that the dog can cope as the owner progresses with gradually extending departures whereby the dog is left home alone. Consider taking a traditional approach to separation issues by leaving your dog with a stuffed Kong or similar food-based toy for 5 minutes as you leave the home, and then make a note of the dog's responses in your absence and return. Calm, almost non-interactive human-dog returns can help manage the dog's emotional state when you re-enter the home. Once the dog is genuinely calm and relaxed, a greeting can then take place.