If you’re looking to add a dog to your family in 2023, here are a few tips to make the process a bit smoother and ensure everybody starts off on the right foot (and paw).
How to choose the right dog for your family & lifestyle
Choosing the right dog can make all the difference. Just like humans, dogs can have differing needs, personalities, and quirks. Before taking in a new pet, consider your lifestyle and what you value most in your life. Are you super active? Do you travel a lot? Do you have a yard? Do you have small children or care for an elderly parent? Can you afford to take on the financial responsibility of a dog? (Vet bills aren’t getting cheaper.)
These are all questions you should ask yourself before you head to the pet store to start picking out collars and chew toys. Some dogs need more care and attention than others, and to get the true life-enriching benefit of owning a dog, it’s key that you’re ready for a dog.
Consider the Type of Dog
The American Kennel Club currently recognizes 190 dog breeds. Factor in unrecognized breeds like the popular Labradoodle and other mixed breeds, and that’s a lot of canines. Some dogs, like those of the working breed variety, need not just daily exercise but thrive best when they have a task to do. Small and toy breeds tend to be the opposite, and are much more adaptable to urban environments and apartment life.
Have kids? Dogs can be especially fantastic companions and not only act as protectors but provide an opportunity for children to learn about kindness and responsibility. Other benefits of children owning a dog include higher self-esteem and even the possibility of developing an immunity against certain allergies.
Local Pooches
Ready for the fun part? Consider these local organizations.
PAWS Shelter of Central Texas – With locations in both Kyle and Dripping Springs, PAWS has been connecting people with pets in need of a home since 1986. In addition to providing adoption services for dogs, they also run a foster program. When you foster a dog you not only get the opportunity to see if you’re a good match with the dog, but you help the shelter free up needed kennel space, while giving a dog a sense of home to prepare them to meet their forever family.
Wimberley Adoption Group & Rescue (WAG) – Founded in 2009, this non-profit was developed to help abandoned dogs in Hays County find a home. If you’d like to help WAG succeed in their mission of finding a loving home for each pup under their care, you can contact them to set up a meet and greet on one of their adoption days.
Austin Dog Rescue – Since 2007, the Austin Dog Rescue has been rescuing and finding homes for homeless dogs in Central Texas. There’s no physical shelter as the organization relies on volunteers to foster each of their residents until that lucky day when a dog finds its forever home.
Speaking of forever homes, the Crosswinds community has a lot to offer pet owners, including walking trails to explore and a dog park for pups to run and play. If you’d like to learn more, reach out to us.