How to Choose the Perfect Pooch for Your Home

No matter your living arrangement, welcoming a new four-legged friend into your home is an exciting time. From the moment you lay eyes on your new pup, you'll have the company of man's best friend always by your side.

However, with all of the different types of homes and living situations, there are plenty of things to consider before making the big decision.

We've put together a list of the best dog breeds to suit your particular home and lifestyle, to help you in the process of finally bringing home your furry companion.

1.  Apartment Living

If you're an inner-city worker living a busy lifestyle, introducing a dog into your apartment can be a big decision. There are plenty of things to consider when choosing the perfect breed, from the close proximity of your neighbours, to the small and confined space you and your new pet will be living in.

For the apartment dweller, we’d recommend a Bichon Frise!

These little guys are the perfect pooch for apartment living. As a smaller breed of dog they’re great in confined spaces, and are known for being playful, gentle and quiet - an absolute bonus for your neighbours on the other side of the wall.

While the Bichon Frise loves to play, they don’t need a lot of outdoor exercise to keep them content. A perfect match for the inner-city slicker living a busy lifestyle.

When living in an apartment, you’re likely to be renting a spot in a building that adheres to strict rules of cleanliness and maintenance. For this reason, it’s important to pick a dog that’s well groomed and doesn’t tend to shed fur too much. A Bichon Frise is known for it’s curly coat that doesn’t shed - a safe bet for apartment living and keeping your carpets and furniture clean.

That being said, if you’re worried about the cleanliness of your living space post-pooch purchase, we’ve got you covered with our range of fantastic cleaning products and quick-fire ways to remove pesky pet stains. Your apartment will be spic and span, ready for inspection in no time.

2.  Flatting

Perhaps you’re fresh out of university or working full-time and living with your friends. No matter the situation, when deciding to get a dog who’ll be living with you and your flatmates there are a few important things to think about.

Flatting can be a bunch of fun, filled with plenty of shenanigans that go hand in hand with a shared living situation. For this reason alone, you’re likely to want a breed of dog that loves to be social and meet lots of new people. If your home is a little like a revolving door, you want a dog that’s comfortable with this.

The perfect dog for you is the humble Jack Russell Terrier!

These little dogs have two traits in particular that are perfect for flat living. Firstly, they’re extremely friendly in all senses of the word. They love their immediate family, but they’re also always excited to meet new people and are always excited for a pat. No matter who comes in your home, your Jack Russell will be there to greet them.

Secondly, Jack Russells are bred to hunt small rodents. Say goodbye to the mouse problem that’s been invading your flat, the Jack Russell knows exactly how to take care of the problem for you. What a bonus!

3.  Rural Family Home

Living on a farm is the lifestyle dream for some families, and choosing the perfect dog to match is a long-term commitment. For the farming family with young children and plenty of space, here’s what we’d recommend. 

The super-shaggy Border Collie!

There are tonnes of reasons why a Border Collie suits a farming family life. They’re known for being one of the most intelligent dogs in the world, so you’ll have no trouble training your new dog and can feel comfortable leaving your dog with the kids. Border Collies are known for being particularly friendly, so if you’re looking for a gentle, vivacious and intelligent companion, you’ll find it in this breed.

These guys are medium-sized, known for working on the farm, loving lots of exercise and large spaces to play in. If you’ve got a big section and accessibility to paddocks, a Border Collie will love you for it.

A great aspect of a farmhouse is that there’s plenty of outdoor space for your pup to roam in. As the Border Collie is a shaggy dog that sheds a lot, this is perfect. Most of their excess fur will stay outdoors, solving a big problem for you. If you prefer for your dog to have a home indoors, we’d recommend a semi-regular carpet clean to make sure that your rugs and carpets aren’t being too affected by the fur. You can check out our range of carpet cleaners that’ll help you get the job done, here.

4.  Suburban Family

You’re a busy family with a few young children, living in a suburban set up with a nice backyard and the picturesque picket fence. Your perfect canine companion will be happy to become one of the family - loved by the kids and extended family members alike.

Finding a loving, medium-sized dog with a kind temperament sounds like a difficult task, but there is a solution - the Golden Retriever!

The great thing about Golden Retrievers is that they find the perfect balance between playful and gentle with children. They’re extremely friendly - the kind of dog you’d approach on the beach for a well-received play and pat, and are extremely loyal to their family. If you’re looking for a long-term family member the kids can get used to, this is the dog for you.

It’s important to know that Golden Retrievers have a bucket load of energy. If you’re living in a townhouse with a backyard, this is perfect, but remember to take them on outings with your children and for a few walks through the suburbs.

The only thing to be mindful of is that while their coat is known for its loveliness, it’s also known for malting. This, alongside their playful tendencies and ability to bring the outdoors inside, means its important to have an effective cleaning plan in place. Luckily we have a range of stain, spot and carpet cleaners available to help you out - great for assisting with the mess that kids can leave behind too. 

No matter your living arrangement, when you take on a new dog as a family member, you’re also taking on the shedding, muddy paws and potential accidents that come with canine companionship. While these things are inevitable, you can be prepared.

Download our FREE stain guide and study up on how best to get rid of the marks and stains your new pet might bring into your home. By the time disaster strikes, you’ll be ready to clean!

Make sure to also check out our Ultimate Guide to Owning a Pet: Everything you need to know.