Is a High-Energy Breed Right for Me?
Picking out a dog can be an overwhelming process. There may be so many cute and energetic dogs to choose from, but there are multiple factors that must be taken into consideration when selecting a high-energy dog breed. A few factors that I'll touch on in this article are home environment, activity level, and schedule.
Home Environment
Living in an apartment, house, a property with a fenced-in yard, in a space with children or other animals present – these are all things to consider when selecting a dog breed. It is very important that dogs, especially more energetic large breeds, have the space that they need to get their energy out in a positive way. It is important to be honest with yourself when evaluating your home environment. If you are living in a single-bedroom apartment with no easy-to-access gated area, a German Shephard may not be the best option of a dog breed at the moment. However, living in an apartment does not always mean that owning a large dog is irresponsible. I'll touch more on responsible habits when owning large dogs in small spaces in the next two sections of this article.
Another thing to consider when selecting a high-energy dog breed is whether there are children or other animals present. I have owned an American Pit Bull since he was about three months old. He has been raised with my two cats for over six years and he was socialized with children when he was young. I feel 100% comfortable having him around other small animals and children now. However, if I had adopted him at an older age where he might have possibly already developed unpredictable behaviors, I would have used more caution when bringing home a dog in that scenario. This is not to say that someone should not adopt an older dog, but rather evaluate your home environment for any potential adjustments you need to make. Teach your children how to approach dogs. Have areas the smaller animals can go to if they feel uncomfortable around the dog. Separate the new dog from the smaller animals/children when there is no adult present. These things should be considered for the safety of everyone involved.
Activity Level
While dogs should not be considered a fashion accessory, whether your potential dog breed suits your lifestyle should be considered. A high-energy dog could quickly exhaust a dog owner who is not highly physically active. This does not mean that you have to run every day to give your active dog the lifestyle they need. Rather, honestly evaluate your lifestyle: do you prefer do be active or outdoors frequently, or would you rather hang out at home with family and go on the occasional neighborhood walk? There is nothing wrong with either option, but be honest with yourself on the activity level that you could provide. Dog breeds like American Pit Bulls, Dobermans, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Dalmatians, and others require high levels of activity. It is important to provide high-energy dogs with the exercise that they need in order for them to channel their energy in a positive way. Energy that is not channeled in a positive way can lead to negative and unpredictable behaviors.
The level of activity that you are able to provide your dog can also connect into your type of home environment. Earlier I mentioned that owning a large dog like a German Shephard may not be the best option while living in a single-bedroom apartment. However, if you are a highly active person who loves to go on daily runs, hikes, walks or other outdoor adventures, then a large dog could still suit your lifestyle. In a smaller living space with a large dog, it will just be especially important to consider your dog's needs and make sure that they are getting the exercise that they need. Additionally, if you are not the most active person but have a fenced-in yard that a large dog could run around in, then a large dog could still suit your lifestyle. Letting your dog run freely in the yard and heading outside for an occasional game of fetch can be a great way to channel your dog's energy in a positive way.
Schedule
What is your typical day schedule like? Evaluate how many hours a day you are home, if there's someone else home to take care of the dog when you're gone, and what type of environment the dog will be in when no one is around. Make sure that you have enough time to put in the work to socialize and train your dog if opting for an energetic breed. Dogs need to be socialized to better guarantee that they will not be a danger to others around them. Training is also important to make sure that they don't keep "cute" puppy habits, such as nipping at hands or jumping on every person they meet. It may be cute when the dog is twenty pounds and nips at your hand, but a large dog will eventually get stronger and be able to do actual damage. Additionally, make sure that an active dog has a comfortable environment when they have to be alone. In regards to chaining or tethering a dog, a CDC study found that dogs who are chained or tethered are 2.8 times more likely to bite. For those with busier schedules, take time to evaluate your lifestyle and honestly consider if the additional responsibility of owning an active dog would suit your lifestyle.
Summing It All Up
None of the information in this article is to say that someone is a bad dog owner if they break any of these standards. These are not laws to abide by, but rather recommendations to promote responsible dog owning behavior. I lived in an apartment during my first couple years with my American Pit Bull, and he was still a sweetheart. I practiced other responsible dog owning habits during this time to ensure that he would grow into a good boy. After living in a house with a fenced-in yard for the past four years, though, I can say that my boy is the happiest that he has ever been. He gets to unleash his zoomies every day and go on multiple adventures with me throughout the week. When selecting any dog breed, just make sure that you are honestly evaluating your lifestyle. Make sure that it's a good fit, and not a decision based on pure emotion in the moment.
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