Unfortunately every year millions of dogs end up in animal shelters or living in sub par conditions because of one simple problem – people don’t take the time to consider which are the good dog breeds for their lifestyle, as well as truly consider if they are properly settled and equip to take on the responsibility of canine ownership in the first place. Choosing the right dog is so important, and by doing breed research we can learn a lot about which kind of dogs fit us best.

Now, don’t get me wrong – I also believe dog ownership is one of life’s great joy and that having a pet can greatly increase ones quality of life. However it is also a large responsibility and so when one is considering bringing a dog into their life, they must consider whether they have the commitment, time and resources to truly give the dog a good life. It’s also important to take the time to consider which are good dog breeds for your family, based on the type of dwelling you live in and the amount of exercise you’re able to provide for the pooch. Unfortunately, too many people decide on a breed of dog simply based on looks, without much regard to the needs of that particular breed.

I urge all prospective dog owners to choose the breed that best fits the lifestyle you enjoy. I mean, perhaps you prefer the looks of large dogs, but if you live in an apartment or other dwelling that does not have enough space for such a breed to be truly happy, will you really be able to provide the best life for the dog? And when said dog becomes an inconvenience, because it did not match your lifestyle in the first place, what will you do with it? For many people the answer to the question involves dropping their pooch off at the nearest animal shelter. Of course, these people would like to believe that their dog will find a home, but the sad fact is in the majority of cases the dog will not, and will eventually be euthanized.

If only people thought not only about what dogs they have nostalgia for, or which ones have the cutest looks, but about which are the good dog breeds for their lifestyle. Myself, I grew up with large dogs and that is what I desired as an adult, but as an apartment dweller I took the time to do research and found that truly one of the miniature dog breeds would be best suited for my scenario. I took some time to find not only dogs that stay small, but ones that had exercise and grooming requirements that I could easily meet.  After meeting with and finding out a lot about good small dog breeds, I was able to choose a great little chihuahua that fit in right with my lifestyle.

Pugs generally range from fourteen to twenty pounds, and range  from ten to eleven inches tall. These traits make the pug a small yet sturdy dog that can fit into a variety of family situations.

Exercise Requirements: Like all puppies, the pug breed is rather rambunctious during their puppyhood, but calm down as they mature. Adult pugs do not have heavy exercise needs, and often prefer to snooze on the couch rather than engage in vigorous exercise. In fact, you should avoid especially intense exercise with your pug, as their short noses can make it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature. Of course, like all dogs, pugs enjoy the outdoors and can and should be given a daily walk. However, this breed is certainly not suited as a running companion or a suitable candidate for high intensity dog sports.

Shedding: Don’t be fooled by the pug breeds short coat, as these little guys are actually quite heavy shedders. In fact, the pug sheds year round, so when living with a pug you shouldn’t be surprised to find hairs on every piece of furniture and rug you own. If you want to own a pug, you should invest in a heavy duty vacuum – and be prepared to use it. Daily brushing can help to keep your pugs shedding down. Also, pug owners should ensure to regularly clean their dog’s facial wrinkles and crevices to avoid the skin issues that the breed is prone to.

Training: While pugs are known for being on the stubborn side, they do quite well with obedience training when positive reinforcement techniques are used. They are quite capable of learning all of the basic commands and more, given that the handler demonstrates patience and consistency while training.

Health Concerns: Like many small dog breeds, the pug breed is long lived, often enjoying lifespans of over twelve years. Unfortunately, the pug is prone to many health issues, many of which can be prevented by purchasing your pug from a reputable breeder that engages in health testing of the breeding parents. Some health issues that pugs appear to be especially prone to are PDE (a pug specific condition which affects the brain and causes seizures), progressive retinal atrophy, elongated soft palate, and luxating patella. Pugs are also prone to liver problems, and injuries to the eyes due to their protruding nature. Furthermore, it is important that the pug breed be kept cool in hot weather, as their short noses makes it difficult for them to correctly regulate their temperatures.

Important Note About The Pug Breed: One thing that you may want to keep in mind before making the decision to purchase a pug, is that they tend to make a bevvy of noises, such as snorting and snoring. While many find these noises quite endearing, those that are light sleepers or noise sensitive may want to consider these traits before choosing the pug breed.

Temperament wise, this breed is one of the most affectionate there is, oftentimes to the point of being clingy. The Chinese crested breed can definitely be described as a “Velcro dog” that becomes very attached to one person. This extremely loyal breed is even known to suffer severe emotional distress should their “chosen person” for any reason no longer be in their life.

It is very important that this breed is socialized from an early age, and taken out as soon it is deemed safe to do so. Failure to adequately socialize the Chinese Crested breed with strangers and other dogs can lead to a very timid and fearful adult dog.

Exercise Requirements: While most Chinese Crested dogs will be happy to spend the majority of their day indoors as long as they are in close proximity to their owner, they do enjoy the outdoors and should be provided with a long daily walk. The stimulus and exercise that a walk provides will make for a better behaved, well adjusted dog.

Grooming: Being almost entirely hairless, the Chinese Crested is naturally very easy to groom, and can do with only an occasional brushing of the hair they do have. This makes them an excellent choice for those who suffer from allergies. Of course, the Powderpuff variety does require additional grooming, and should be brushed at least once weekly.

Training: Smart and eager to please, dogs of the Chinese Crested breed are able to learn many tricks, and tend to pick up things quickly. However, like many miniature dog breeds they may take a bit longer than average to housebreak, as they are all small breed with an equally small bladder.

Health Concerns: Like many small dog breeds, the Chinese Crested breed has a long life expectancy that frequently exceeds thirteen years. However, the Chinese Crested breed is known to be prone to a variety of potentially serious conditions, such as deafness, acne, skin conditions, dental issues, Legg Perthes diease, allergies and luxating patella.

Special Note about The Chinese Crested: Owners of the non Powderpuff Chinese Crested should take special care in a variety of weather conditions. For example, the Chinese Crested can experience sunburn in especially sunny weather conditions, and will undoubtedly feel the cold on even moderately chilly days. It’s important to provide the Chinese Crested with a full coverage sweater or coat when taking it out in the fall and winter.