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New Dog Owner's Guide: Finding The Right Dog

We all know how cute dogs are and how much fun they are to play with. With proper care, they can become an important part of your family and bring joy to your life. But they also eat a lot, poop a lot and can get into all kinds of mischief! Owning a dog is not something to be taken lightly, and there are commitments other than just time and effort involved in getting yourself a life long companion. Throughout the next few weeks, we will be going through the process of owning a dog in Singapore to better prepare you for your new addition to the family! First things first, what kind of dog is the most suitable for you?

A dog can come into your life by chance and you can feel an instant connection, but it doesn’t always happen like that. Often, you must take on the important task of going out to find the right dog for you. It’s important to examine your current lifestyle and consider the adjustments you are willing to make once your new dog comes into your life. Are you looking for a purebred or mixed breed dog? Do you or your family members have any allergies? Are you willing to pay a lot for grooming? Are you willing to adopt? Fear not! We have listed down some key factors to think about when picking a dog:

Size

It’s important to take into consideration the size of your dog together with the amount of space you have in your living area.

Small Dogs - Pros

Ease of handling

Handling and managing a smaller sized dog is definitely easier. You can pick it up when it's too stubborn to walk, and taking it travelling will be less of a hassle as compared to larger dogs. Because of their size, grooming sessions such as showering and nail trimming require much less effort and time as opposed to a large dog. Small dogs also fit comfortably in easy-to-carry kennels or bags that can be taken anywhere.

Cost lower in general

Although not always the case, smaller size usually accounts for less money spent on them, and pet products for small breeds are usually cheaper. Not only that, small dogs tend to have fewer health issues and thus, they visit the vet less frequently.

Requires less exercise

All dogs require exercise, but smaller breeds tend to require less activity and effort from owners, which makes them great fit for pet parents that cannot participate in as much physical activity.

Small Dogs - Cons

Issues from ‘babying’

With their little “poor me” face and cute small size, it’s difficult to not treat a small dog like a baby and give them a pass for their mistakes. Thus, most of their misbehavior gets ignored or uncorrected as opposed to big dogs. This results in a lack of discipline, leading to aggression and behavioral issues which can get really out of hand.

Gets injured easily

Being mishandled or even getting stepped on can lead to very serious injury or even death for a small breed dog. A quick nip from a larger dog can also send your small dog straight to the vet. It is thus important to keep a close eye on them whenever you bring them outside, as they are very vulnerable.

Training can be a pain

Because of their small size, the damage that is brought about by their destructive habits as well as their less intrusive presence are often overlooked due to their permitted access to the entire home. Other than that, smaller sized dogs are usually more possessive of their food, and this possessiveness can be developed when a dog is left to manage his own resources in this way. This makes training very difficult.

Medium/Big Dogs - Pros

Training can be easier

The behaviours of big dogs are more noticeable and are usually corrected before they become bad habits. Because of the ‘dangers’ a large size dog can bring, owners are more likely to seek help to ensure discipline and correction.

Offer the feeling of protection

Although different breeds have different personalities and characteristics, large breeds may help their owners feel safe inside and away from their home with their size. Jogging outside with a German Shepherd may feel more empowering and safe as opposed to a Chihuahua.

Big fun

Many owners of big dogs say they feel they have more of a canine partner instead of a canine “baby”. Large dogs generally do not require as much supervision as opposed to small breeds, and concern for injury is smaller too.

Medium/Big Dogs - Cons

Requires more space

Not many large dog breeds are HDB approved. A larger dog also means larger beds, bowls, toys and other supplies. A small space may seem to be filled with everything for your big sized dog.

More health issues and shorter lifespans

Due to their size, most larger breeds have additional health problems and also have shorter lifespan.

Cost more in general

Food, medication, clothing. You name it. Everything gets more expensive with a big dog. More health problems in big dogs also mean more expenses.

Basic Grooming

Certain types of dogs require more grooming than others. Several dog breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Poodle and Bearded Collie are some that need a lot more effort with grooming due to their long or thick coats. It is easy to find expert dog grooming services in Singapore, but a majority of the smooth-coated or short haired dogs, like the Labrador, are major shedders.

Age

If you're a busy person that cannot give your pet a lot of attention, a new puppy will not be the best choice for you. Although they are cute, puppies need a large amount of attention and training, and can often be disruptive at home when left alone. An adult dog may be a better option in terms of energy level, temperament and attitude. For example, a senior dog is suitable for someone who is looking for a dog with lower energy levels.

Dog breeds

Dog breeds come in different ranges of sizes, colors, builds and personalities. Each breed possesses distinctive characteristics that set them apart from each other, and it is important for a new owner to ensure that he has chosen the right breed for themselves. Mixed breeds, such as the Singapore Specials, are also another option that you can look at that will not be included in the list as there is a wide variety of mixed breed dogs.

Great family dogs: Kid friendly, these dogs love to shower their family with affection and loyalty. Their temperaments are usually gentle and understanding, and can handle the misbehaviors of little kids. Some popular family breeds are the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Pug and the Beagle.

Sheds minimally: Low shedding dogs, or hypoallergenic breeds, are great pets for people that suffer from allergies. A common misconception is that dogs with short hairs do not shed so much. Long haired dogs can be low shedders and produce lesser amounts of dander and allergens as well. Examples of these dogs include the Maltese, Shih Tzu, Schnauzer and the Poodle.

Adaptable to apartment living: Apartment dogs should be low energy, quiet, gentle, polite and calm. These breeds are not necessarily small, as small breeds tend to be barkers and contain a lot of energy in their tiny bodies. Great apartment dogs include Greyhound, Maltese and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Easy to Groom: If you don’t want to spend your time on your dog’s grooming needs, dogs that require low maintenance in terms of grooming include the Dalmatian, Boston Terrier, and the Italian Greyhound.

HDB Approved Breeds: Owners are allowed to keep only 1 dog of the approved breeds in your flat. Flat owners found to breach this regulation can be fined up to a minimum of $4000! Here are some breeds approved for HDBs: Chihuahua, Dachshund, Shih Tzu, Pug and more. Under Project ADORE, HDB flat owners can also adopt local Singapore Specials, which are up to 55 cm in height. You can view all HDB approved breeds through this link here: https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/living-in-an-hdb-flat/keeping-pets