What Breed is Best?: Choosing a Dog for your Family

With the help of Dr. Scott Bainbridge, a veterinarian at the Queen West Animal Hospital in Toronto, we've put together a list of things to consider when selecting a dog breed.

Choosing a Dog Breed

Whether you choose one of the suggested breeds or any one of the many other suitable breeds, please keep the following in mind:

• While toy breeds may be attractive to parents, some may be too delicate or skittish for smaller children.
• Larger dogs are surprisingly better for kids because they tend to be more resilient to the rigorous play of younger children. Make sure, however, that you have the space to accommodate a larger breed and understand just how big that puppy will get.
• Mixed breeds are generally great and usually have fewer health problems, but be sure to learn about the background of any perspective pup.
• Popular and trendy breeds tend to be over bred which can affect the quality of the dog - including its temperament and overall health.
• Wherever possible it is best to get a dog from a reputable breeder. You can't always rely on pet stores to know the full history of a dog nor can you see the conditions the puppies were raised in prior to arriving at the store.

By Rochelle Strauss