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.

If you are considering a Maltese for your family, keep it mind that it is very small (between two and six pounds is the breed standard), and so it may not be a good idea to bring a Maltese into a home with very young children, as they could easily injure the dog by accident. Unlike some small dog breeds the Maltese is generally quite patient with children, and so older, respectful children can do quite well with a dog of this breed. As a companion dog the Maltese is not suited for people who are not home often, as dogs of this breed require a good amount of attention to be truly happy.

The Maltese breed is exceptionally long lived, and is is not uncommon for them to live fifteen years and beyond. For that reason, it’s important to be sure of your continued commitment to a Maltese before bringing them into your household, ensuring that you will be able to care for them for many years.

Exercise Requirements: While Maltese are lively little dogs, they are able to satisfy the majority of their exercise needs through indoor play sessions. Provided they receive a daily walk, Maltese can do well in a variety of living conditions, and make a good choice for individuals living in apartments and townhouses. They should be closely supervised when in rural areas, as dogs of their small stature can fall victim to attacks from birds of prey.

Shedding: The Maltese breed has a long, white coat that should be rushed daily, to prevent tangles or matting. Many Maltese owners choose to have their dogs hair clipped or professional groomed in order to keep it easy to manage. However, despite this breeds abundance of luxurious white hair, it is actually a very low shedding and so is a good choice for people prone to allergies. It’s also importance to regularly clean around the eyes of your Maltese in order to prevent tear staining from occurring.

Training: Maltese dogs are intelligent, and will quite quickly learn basic commands such as sit, down and stay. They are ideal obedience training students and are often the star of any dog obedience classes they might attend. However, like many of the toy breeds the Maltese can be challenging to house train (possible due to their smaller bladders) and will require consistent and patient training until they are able to overcome this hurdle. It may be a good idea to pad or litter train your Maltese as they are often reluctant to go outside in very cold or warm weather.

Health Concerns: The Maltese breed is overall generally healthy, provided that you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder that performs health testing of their breeding stock. It’s important to ensure that the breeder has a firm understanding of the breeds health issues, as Maltese that are not well bred can be prone to an eye condition called retinal atrophy, which in its worst cases leads to blindness. Also, like many miniature dog breeds, poorly bred Maltese can suffer from a knee condition called luxating patella, which often requires an expensive surgery to correct. Furthermore, these dogs should not be raised in damp conditions, as this can cause otherwise avoidable respiratory issues.