Zoombak ™

Best Dogs for Singles

Written By Kelly Herdrich

The decision to purchase a pet is a lifelong one. Many breeders or adoption services are helpful in matching dogs to families or individuals that can devote an appropriate amount of time to their new pet. Though the focus is often on finding family and child-friendly pets, it's important to note that selecting a dog for a single person also requires special consideration. Not all dog breeds are well suited for the lifestyle of a single person, especially one who make be at work for much of the day. When making the decision to purchase a dog, if you are a single individual, these breeds may best meet your needs.

If You Are: Single, Living in a Flat, Working Long Hours

If you are working long hours and are single, you may want to consider a dog breed that won't require a great deal of exercise or interaction on a daily basis. Similarly, it may be difficult to spend a great deal of time training your dog.

In these cases, a wonderful choice might be a Lhasa apso. According to Pet Planet, Lhasa apsos do enjoy exercise and are happy to accompany you on long walks if you so desire, but they'd also be happy to stay home and relax. In general, the Lhasa apso is a fairly mellow dog who serves as a good companion for a single individual. Since they are small, they are an ideal choice for a flat, as long as you can make time to take them for one or two short walks a day. If you decided to purchase a second pet to keep your Lhasa apso company, they tend to get along well with other animals. The same is true of other adults, and if the need would arise in the future, children.

If You Are: Single, Living in House with a Garden, Working Long or Moderate Hours

If you are still working long to moderate hours, but have a home with a garden and a bit more time to devote to your pet, you might want to consider a breed that would benefit from a bit more exercise and has a higher energy level.

One choice that would suit a single person's lifestyle in these instances is a cocker spaniel. Cocker spaniels require a bit more exercise and are livelier than Lhasa apsos. Pet Planet reports that these dogs are bright and therefore easily trained, ideal for someone who works quite a bit. They would benefit from exercise, either in the form of walks or simply time out in the garden. They do well with children, and should you ever decide to add one to your family, they would likely adapt well to the addition.

If You Are: Single, Living in a House or a Flat, Working Short to Moderate Hours

Someone single who doesn't work long hours and has a flexible schedule may have substantially more time to devote to a dog. Therefore, their options open up considerably when selecting the best dog breed for a single person.

A great choice for a single person with a fair amount of time to devote to their dog is a labrador retriever. These dogs are slightly larger than the other suggestions, and are also more active and require more exercise and interaction from their owner on a daily basis. If you lived in a flat but were able to devote a fair amount of time to walking and playing with your dog, this breed would still be a good choice. A genuine benefit of labrador retrievers is that though they are high energy, they get along well with other adults and children, should another person join your family one day.

 

If you are a single person and considering purchasing a dog, these three suggestions would make great additions to your household.

Resources:
For more exhaustive information about dog breeds and your lifestyle, you may want to visit Pet Planet at http://www.petplanet.co.uk

Related Links