Things to Consider When Choosing a Hunting Dog Breed
“Awww, he’s so cute!” Have you ever thought this about a puppy and wanted to bring him home immediately? Most people have. Choosing the right breed of dog should not be done on a whim, however. Your lifestyle and needs should be considered carefully before you bring a puppy or dog home. Your contentment and the dog’s should be your top priority so that both of you are happy and healthy. First, ask yourself why you want to get a dog and how your life will be changed by owning and caring for a dog. The answer to this and the following questions will help you to start to narrow down your breed choices.
If you have children in your home, how old are they?
The reason that this question is so important is that some breeds simply are not ideal around children. Dogs that are going to be around children need patience and they need to be sturdy. Remember, a toy breed (or small dog) can be easily injured by pick-up and drops by children.
How much space do you have?
All dogs love to play and need exercise, the question is, how much space do they need? Typically, larger breeds of dogs need lots of space and smaller dogs are content with less space. But all dogs are unique and sometimes the opposite is true. Be realistic about how large your home is and what its limits are.
What is your activity level?
Are you willing to walk a dog for at least twenty minutes a day, twice a day? A well-exercised dog is a happier, better-behaved, more content dog. Be honest with yourself about how much exercise you do normally and how much time you’re willing to give. Getting a dog in order to get yourself more active is okay, as long as you’re realistic about keeping that promise to yourself and to the dog. If your dog will be spending a lot of its time indoors, make sure you choose a breed that’s much more relaxed.
How much time do you have?
If you have a particularly busy schedule that means you cannot take your dog out regularly and play with him, etc., then you might be best suited to a lap dog. If you are the type who engages in outdoor activities such as biking, swimming, jogging or even walking, then a dog that is active and loves the outdoors might be perfect for you. Your dog should fit your lifestyle – a lap dog who never wants to leave his bed is perfect for those who do not do a lot of outside activities. Those who are extremely active most likely want a breed who will be a companion for those activities.
After you have answered all these questions, you should have a good idea of your limitations and expectations. Narrowing down to the right dog breed for you will be easier. The last two considerations, adult dog size and grooming, should eliminate more possibilities and get you down to one or two options.
Full Grown Dogs
Once you’ve determined what your lifestyle is like using the questions above, you should know what size dog you can have. But also consider other physical aspects of owning a dog. For instance, the body structure and weight of the dog. Dogs like bulldogs and bassett hounds do not appear large, but they can weigh between 50 and 70 pounds, and may have trouble with going up and down stairs or jumping into and out of cars. Do you have the strength to lift such a dog? Also, will you be able to handle the physical problems that can come with certain breeds, such as hip dysplasia in large breeds? Families with children and semi-active adults are usually best off with a mid-sized dog that won’t knock over furniture and children easily.
Grooming
Whether you believe it or not this should be a major consideration for all potential dog owners. Longer hair breeds require regular brushing and in some cases will require frequent bathing. Even short hair dogs who shed will mean that you have got to vacuum your carpets and furniture more regularly. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, they are liable to require more frequent baths and brushing. Before you purchase a dog take this into consideration – you want your dog to stay healthy looking and this means proper grooming. Your house will be over-run with dog hairs if you do not pick a breed that works for your cleaning habits
You might not think so, but making the decision to get a dog is like the decision to have a baby. They both entail a lifelong commitment. A dog that fits into your lifestyle will become not only a best friend and companion but you will get the added benefit of unconditional love in return for the care you give your dog.
Hunting dogs are a lot of fun and great pets, but you have to make sure you have all the proper training supplies. Innotek has some great products out there, such as the Innotek Field Pro Series, the Innotek ADV-1002, and the Innotek ADV-300.

