Seriously, don't upgrade on the energy level

You probably need a chiller dog than you think.

Most dogs need more/better exercise and enrichment than they are currently getting. The vast majority of dog breeds can and will go for your daily runs with you, or enjoy hiking and camping on the weekends. Even little dogs like yorkies can be conditioned to do quite extensive exercise!

But while it can be easy to “upgrade” a dog’s exercise level, it is extremely difficult to downgrade. And the dogs we think of as “active” are designed to go way harder than most humans. Working herding dogs can sprint long distances over rough terrain and can work for hours. Our retrieving breeds can swim in freezing water and retrieve an angry and injured canada goose, then turn around and do it again and again.

Some people love the intensity and high exercise needs of an Ibizan Hound or a Vizsla, but many people purchase a dog they think will be a great fit only to be outgunned and overwhelmed.

When deciding on a breed, be honest. How active are you, really? Do you want a pet to go along with your life, or a new hobby that might reshape it? As I frequently tell people there is no right answer, just the honest one.

I also really recommend spending time with multiple dogs of the breeds you are considering, from different life stages. A teenage Great Dane is a very different dog than one that is 5 or 6 years old! Spend time talking to their owners and interacting with them to really learn what living with one would be like!

Take as much time as you need to find the perfect breed or mix for you!