Selecting a dog breed in India considering the plethora of information available and differing opinions can be difficult. However, how to choose a dog breed in India does not have to be a complicated process – there are several aspects that one should keep in mind in order to pick the perfect canine friend. Here are some steps that will help you with making a right decision.
Step 1: Know Your Living Space
Step 1 in knowing how to select a dog breed in India is choosing the appropriate breed size based on your living space:
- if you live in apartments: breeds that are small and less active such as Pug, Shih Tzu, or Indian Spitz will be the most appropriate
- if you live in independent houses with gardens: breeds that are medium-sized or large will thrive well there
- living spaces where the dog has limited opportunity for going outside: breeds with low exercise requirements must be picked
Step 2: Consider Indian Climate
Climate is one of the biggest things that people forget about when thinking about how to choose a dog breed in India:
- thick coats (Huskies and Malamutes) do not go well with Indian weather conditions in most of Indian cities besides hill stations
- native breeds such as Indian Spitz and Indian Pariah Dog are heat resistant
- “flat-faced” breeds (Pug and Bulldog) need additional attention and cooling during hot summer days
Step 3: Consider Your Lifestyles
It is crucial to be realistic about your daily routine:
- busy professionals: breeds that require less attention and do not create a lot of stress for you and the dog
- very active families: Labradors and Beagles are breeds that would like to be active with you
- seniors or first-time pet owners: dogs with calm and predictable temperament are easier to handle
Step 4: Consider Expenses and Maintenance
This step is usually ignored when people are trying to learn how to choose a dog breed in India:
- long-haired breeds require grooming; this adds to expenses
- bigger breeds usually eat more; their feeding costs are higher
- routine visits to the vet are necessary to prevent any health issues that could occur and need to be budgeted for
Step 5: Decide Whether to Adopt or Buy
Both ways are legitimate, although they involve different aspects:
- adoption (including Indie dogs): the cheapest and ethical option
- buying: families looking for certain breed with predictable behavior and characteristics
In both cases it is extremely important to have all health records checked before picking a particular breed and dog
Brief Self-Evaluation Prior to Any Decisions
Ask yourself some of these questions:
- Do I have the ability to take walks daily with the dog?
- Is my surrounding appropriate for this particular breed of dogs?
- Am I financially ready for all the costs involved?
- Am I mentally ready for all of it?
Conclusion
Selecting the dog breed in India is not about finding the “perfect breed” for you. Instead, it is all about choosing the right breed that will suit you the best. This might take some time but if you are honest about the capabilities you have, you can protect yourself from a mistake. Once you have selected a dog breed, go through our puppy training guide.
