The Right Dog for You: Choosing a Breed That Fits Your Lifestyle

Finding the Perfect Canine Companion

So you’re thinking about getting a new puppy or maybe even a rescue? People decide to bring a dog into their lives for many reasons—a specific look, a breed with a lot of drive, or perhaps a new walking companion. Maybe your neighbor just got an adorable puppy, and now you feel the urge to get a matching one so they can grow up together. But, wait—it’s a Malinois. Do you have kids? A job that requires regular overtime? A new relationship that’s blossoming into something more? Everyone wants a new puppy, but not everyone is ready for one. Take a breath, and let’s take a look at what it means to choose the right dog for your lifestyle.

Assessing Your Lifestyle

Before we dive into specific breeds, let’s talk about who you are as a person. A lot of us don’t have the commitment required to raise a dog and give it its best life. Consider a typical 9-to-5 work schedule. Not including your commute, that’s eight hours of your day already dedicated to heading to the office and managing your workload. Throw in a late night here or there, a traffic jam, a sick kid at school, or a doctor’s appointment, and you’re bleeding time out of your dog’s life. You’re not doing this intentionally, but life happens. Add sleep on top of that, and you’ve potentially lost another six to eight hours. So, barring any unexpected events, there’s the potential loss of 14 to 16 hours in your dog’s day—hours that should be spent bonding with you.

Now, let’s not forget hobbies and leisure activities—boating, skiing, gaming, sports—things your dog won’t be involved in. You might be thinking, “John, give me a break, we all sleep.” I’m not saying we shouldn’t sleep; I’m simply highlighting that there are many times when your dog isn’t training or bonding with you. The real problem arises when your dog grows up, and the breed you chose starts to reveal its true nature.

The Importance of Research

You realize you have limited time but decide to get the dog anyway. Great! But what kind of dog did you get? Was it a puppy, a rescue, a sport-related dog, or a retired K9? Many people jump into getting a dog with little to no research. They see one that looks cute, feel drawn to it, and think, “This one!” Not realizing it, they picked up the most bitey and driven German Shepherd they’d ever met—but hey, it was cute!

Or maybe you went to the shelter and saw a sad-looking dog hiding in the corner. Feeling terrible, you decided to introduce yourself and take that dog home because they looked sad. What you didn’t notice was that this dog was alone in the corner for a reason—even the staff hesitated before entering the room because the old boy sometimes has a nasty temperament. Unfortunately, these scenarios are not as rare as we’d like them to be.

My wife and I experienced something similar with our first rescue dog, Ragnar.

He seemed friendly enough at the shelter, but six months later, he actively tried to harm my wife.

Sadly, we had to make the difficult decision to euthanize Ragnar.

This experience taught us the importance of research and testing before bringing a dog into our home.

Choosing the Right Breed

Let’s use two examples: the German Shepherd (GSD) and a Lab/Pitbull mix. The GSD is the bite-driven puppy, and the Lab/Pit mix is the one with a nasty temperament. We’ll discuss the needs of the GSD first.

The GSD is driven and full of energy. They need guidance in their development as a family dog, which you may not have expected. You might have grown up with a GSD that was laid-back and chill, but this one tears up your furniture, clothes, and destroys every toy you give them. They’re cooped up in the crate all day, howl all night, and have frequent accidents because no one is around to let them out. When they are out, they are a whirlwind of energy, chasing everything in sight. You quickly realize you need professional help to manage this pup’s attitude and your time, or you’ll have to consider giving the dog up.

In contrast, let’s consider the owner who chose the lonely Lab/Pit mix. The shelter staff asked if you were sure this was the dog you wanted, and you said yes. The dog was quiet during the car ride home—just what you wanted, a nice, quiet companion. But once home, when you approached them during feeding time, they growled—a deep, primal sound that triggered a fear you hadn’t felt in a long time. Now, you have to decide: surrender the dog back to the shelter or seek help from a trainer or behaviorist experienced with reactive dogs.

Matching Your Lifestyle with the Right Dog

In both examples, emotion won out over logic, and the result was a difficult situation for both the owner and the dog. To avoid these scenarios, you need to do your research. If you have a low-impact lifestyle and aren’t very active, or if you have hobbies that don’t involve your dog, consider a breed like a St. Bernard or one of the mastiffs. These dogs require training and resources but are generally happy to relax with you and have shorter lifespans.

For a moderately active family, labs (except chocolate labs, which I’ve found can have temperamental issues) are a great option. They are smart, family-friendly, and adaptable to both active and relaxed environments. If you’re an active person and dog training is a hobby you enjoy, consider breeds like Rottweilers, GSDs, Dobermans, or Malinois. These breeds are excellent for sports and, with training, can become great home companions.

Choose Wisely

Every dog is different, but it’s up to you to understand what their genetic needs might be. Consider what you’re willing and able to give up in terms of time and how you can compromise with your family or yourself. Sacrifices will need to be made, but with the right choice and a commitment to foundational training, you and your dog will be much happier and more successful.

Be honest with yourself. Instead of selecting dogs based on looks or what you think you want, start choosing based on what you can handle and what is acceptable for your lifestyle.

Struggling with your dog’s behavior or need personalized guidance to enhance obedience? Explore our private training options or schedule a consultation today to get expert help tailored to your dog’s needs. Let’s create a happier and more balanced life for both you and your dog.