How do I pick the dog that is the perfect match for me?
With a little research you can pick a dog that is the perfect match for you. There are many helpful websites that offer quizzes to see what dog best fits your lifestyle and the amount of time you have to devote to training and cultivating a great relationship.
You may need to try a few of these websites because each one approaches picking out a dog a little differently depending upon their point of view. Here are just a few examples from my Google search “how do I pick the dog that’s best for me”:
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Dog Breed Selector is a super website with a quiz that takes less than 5 minutes and matches you with a specific breed and/or breeder.
- Dog Time Dog Breed Selector & Puppy Finder. The questions here were different from the AKC website and I was matched with several dog breeds that I had never heard about before.
- IAMS Dog Breed Selector. Great questions and tips. I was matched with completely different dogs from the first two websites.
- Orvis Dog Breed Selector. The questions here were excellent. This site pointed out the breeds that could become destructive and or bark excessively if they were bored or lacked exercise.
All of the above quizzes are for pure-bred dogs. These dogs have the advantage of breed traits like friendliness, high-energy or retrieving. However, there are usually waiting lists for puppies and they typically cost a lot more than the average shelter adoption fee.
It is still a good idea to try some of these quizzes simply to clarify in your mind what traits you would like to see in the dog you bring home. I found great tips and additional information on all of these websites.
Adopting a rescue or shelter animal
Often a mixed breed dogs have lower chances of developing genetic health problems, have the potential to live longer, and/or avoid interbreeding temperament issues. (Make Mine a Mutt) They are also much cheaper than a pure-bred dog, the typical adoption fee from a rescue or shelter runs from $150 to $400 and often includes spaying/neutering, age-appropriate shots, and some even include extras like a crate or toys.
Lake Norman area rescues and shelters
The biggest advantage to adopting a dog from a local shelter is the ability to visit and see how the dogs interact with each other and how they interact with you. Here are just a few of the Lake Norman rescue and shelter organizations (Google search “where can I adopt a pet in the Lake Norman area”):
- Cornelius Animal Shelter, Cornelius, NC
- Lake Norman Humane, Mooresville, NC
- Piedmont Animal Rescue, Mooresville, NC
- Lincoln County Animal Services, Lincolnton, NC
Good luck with your search and we hope you enjoy your new dog!
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our writers belong solely to them
and do not represent LKNConnect.com, its publisher or its staff.
