If you have decided you would like a dog and are looking at what sort of dog might best fit in with your family life, it might seem that there are many options available to you, but so too are pitfalls. A lot has changed in recent years. Maybe some for the better, but certainly a lot has changed for the worse.
Dog ownership in the UK
It’s a very sad fact that many dogs end up in rescue because people didn’t fully realise the true commitment of what they were taking on. They might have done some “research”, but this can be vague and open to misinterpretation, and many of the demands that the text you read might warn you about are not always as easy to solve in real life as they seem on paper or on a screen.
I first wrote this article nearly ten years ago, based on my own experiences of reading books versus looking at the real live dogs I was living with. My first Weimaraner, Cindy, taught me that books can say a lot of things, but the dog knows far more about being a dog than any book will ever tell you.
Somehow my article got lost in a digital meltdown somewhere, but I feel compelled to redeliver my message because a new threat to our dogs’ welfare is growing. In 2026 there is now an increasing band of unregulated trainers offering quick‑fix solutions with e‑collars, grots and prong collars. These tools were around ten years ago, but social media has normalised their use in a way that would have horrified most people back then.
What used to be seen as extreme and cruel equipment is now being promoted as everyday training by people with no formal regulation, no oversight and no requirement to understand canine behaviour. This approach to dog “training” can cause immense damage. The physical risks are obvious, but the impact on a dog’s mental wellbeing is often even worse. Pain, fear and confusion don’t teach skills. They make dogs feel insecure, react unpredictably and potentially become much more inclined to bite or even attack out of panic, and so even more likely to be given up for rehoming or euthanised.
I love dogs. They don’t deserve any of this. I hope you do too, and that the advice here helps make sure that the dog you choose to bring into your home has a home for life, and that you take them on as your dog for life.
So, back to the beginning....
We don’t need to delve into the history too much, but until the middle of the 19th century many of the breeds we know today were still working dogs. Their value to humans was not in their cute appearance or how well they put up with the kids, but how well they did the tasks required of them. Some dogs were kept as companions, but only by the very wealthy.
As dog shows became more popular, breed standards were written and people started selecting dogs more for how their appearance matched these standards.Did you know that the Cairn Terrier, Scottish Terrier and West Highland White Terrier were once classed as one type? They were known as the Scotch Terrier, or sometimes the Short‑haired Skye Terrier, until breed fanciers began selecting for different coat colours and appearances. Spaniels followed a similar path. They were originally selected by weight for different tasks, and a springer and a cocker could easily come from the same litter until breed standards separated them.
Pedigree dog ownership really took off among everyday families in the 1950s and 60s as people found themselves with more time and money. Kennel Club registration was valued as a sign of quality. Unregistered dogs were cheaper, while mongrels and crossbreeds were often accidental and given away for free.
As fewer dogs were needed for work, some breed standards became exaggerated, and closed gene pools led to chronic health problems. This was highlighted in the 2008 documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed. The fallout that arose from this television programme caused massive reputational damage to the Kennel Club and a breakdown in trust of pedigree dogs and the people who bred them.
As pedigree dogs fell out of favour, people turned to designer crossbreeds such as labradoodles and cockerpoos, believing they were healthier. The irony is that many of these crosses were bred by puppy farmers cashing in on the trend for “hypoallergenic” dogs, and the health problems in dogs didn’t magically disappear just because two breeds were mixed.
When lockdown hit in 2020, demand for dogs exploded. Ethical breeders stepped back because they didn’t want to be associated with puppy farmers who were suddenly raking it in. Councils tightened regulations on commercial breeding, which sounded good on paper but often squeezed out small responsible breeders while large‑scale operators carried on meeting demand.
So, now there is even more to think about!
Think 'choose a dog to suit your hours'!
Where your dog comes from matters
Before you even start looking at breeds, get everyone in the household around the table and ask what they want to do with their dog. Dogs are intelligent animals and many breeds need some form of skills training to give them direction and purpose.
There are loads of official dog sports you can try, such as agility, hoopers, gundog work and scent games. Even simple games like ball play and hide and seek are valuable. It’s an important aspect of dog ownership to consider.
Of course, realistically the younger members of the family are less likely to be that actively involved in the dog’s day to day care, but getting them involved will help them appreciate that a dog is not just a toy and it makes a great opportunity for talking about things like dogs jumping up and that shoes and toys will need to be put away to avoid them being damaged. For parents, checking that toys and shoes are put away, and managing excited children and over stimulated bouncing dogs will be another factor in how much time out of their allocated hours that they will need to spend on their dog.
Whether you choose a puppy or a rescue dog, where your dog comes from matters.
Not all breeders are equal…
A licensed breeder is not automatically a good breeder. A licence usually means the breeder produces litters more regularly and must have a council inspection to check housing. It tells you nothing about temperament, breeding quality or how puppies are raised.
If you expect your puppy to become part of your family, it is vital that they are bred and raised in a family home. Puppies learn from the world around them. Phones ringing, people coming and going, doors closing, people dropping things, people stubbing toes and sometimes swearing. Real life. These experiences help a puppy grow into a dog who can take the world in their stride.
Good home‑based breeders usually offer lifetime support and a contract stating that the dog must be returned to them if you can no longer keep them. This should be one of your top deciding factors.
Dogs raised in kennels do not get this exposure. They are often bred for commercial reasons rather than temperament. Puppies from these backgrounds can struggle with normal household life because they have never experienced it.
Not all rescues are equal either….
A major scandal in 2025 exposed how unregulated the rescue world is. Many groups import dogs with little assessment, no behavioural support and no long‑term backup. Once the dog is in the country, the adopter is often left to cope alone. Some dogs arrive with serious behavioural or medical issues that were not recognised or disclosed.
There have also been cases of rescues placing dogs into completely unsuitable homes. One example involved a Malinois adopted from a rescue centre. The new owner had the dog trained for protection work. When the person later became homeless, the rescue could not take the dog back because it could not rehome a dog trained to bite on command.
This is why responsible rescues assess, support and provide lifelong backup.
Breed rescue is a great place to start.
Breed rescue groups are usually affiliated with breed clubs. Many popular crossbreeds also have enthusiast clubs with their own rescue sub‑committees. They will often tell you frankly why the breed you’re considering may or may not be right for you.
Lifestyle vs hours
People often talk about choosing a dog to suit their lifestyle, but that can be misleading. A lively dog in a busy household does not always work. A dog can become overstimulated, overtired and unable to rest. What matters most is whether you have the hours to meet the dog’s needs every day. Different dogs have different needs, and each of those needs takes time.
I use my own example here. I love training, connecting and talking to my dog, watching her enthusiasm when I give her tasks. I love watching her problem‑solve and seeing the joy in her face when she’s allowed to run free and burn off energy. I would not call myself an active person, but I am happy to give her the exercise she needs because I need it too. I would rather spend that time with her than in a gym.
If I have three hours a day to devote solely to her, it might look like one hour of exercise; three‑quarters of an hour playing nose games and practising gundog skills; half an hour tidying mess; and a quarter of an hour for a rub‑down and checking teeth, nails and ears. When I had a German Shepherd, at least one full hour was hoovering and three‑quarters grooming.
As for energy and bounce, I love the feeling of a dog’s paws on my shoulders. I find it reassuring. It is simply the dog wanting to communicate with me.
Breed instincts matter
Terriers can be loyal, funny and full of character. Most terriers today are bred for the show ring, which has softened some of their sharper edges, but they were bred to react fast, grab fast and make decisions quickly. That does not make them bad dogs. It means you need to understand what they were designed to do and train good stops in the prey sequence.
Collies, corgis and shepherds come with strong herding instincts. A nip to the heel of livestock was part of the job. It is not appreciated in a household. If you choose a herding breed, you need to understand how that instinct works and train an alternative behaviour that is mutually exclusive with chasing and heel nipping. You must train for the moment, not in the moment. If you don’t, the dog will fall back on instinct.
When people don’t understand the instinctive behaviours that come with their chosen breed, they often feel frustrated and blame the dog for something predictable from day one. That is when punishment starts to look like a quick fix. But punishment does not mean the dog has failed. It means the human did not prepare. Choosing a dog is not about liking the look of it. It is about knowing what the dog was bred to do and being ready for it.
Extreme features, comfort and movement
Any breed with extreme features, whether height, length, weight, coat, ears, eyes, skin or muzzle, may face extra challenges. Many of these dogs are stoic, but the physical strain is real. In some breeds these extremes are deliberately bred in, and it is important to think about what that means for the dog’s comfort and long‑term welfare.
Another thing to watch is how a dog moves. Small dogs often skip with a back leg. Many people think it is cute, but it is usually caused by a luxating patella. At best it is uncomfortable. At worst it is extremely painful. Pain changes behaviour, and small dogs are often expected to tolerate discomfort that would never be accepted in a larger breed.
A note about dog walkers
Where ten years ago it was uncommon for people who worked full time hours away from home to have dogs, and many rescues and good breeders would not home dogs in those situations, things have changed. The dog walking industry has boomed and many people now rely on walkers to fill the gap. However, the dog walker industry is completely unregulated. You need no qualifications, no assessment of capability, and no oversight. While many walkers are genuine dog lovers, there are also people who will cut corners for cash. They may seem personable and get great reviews, but most owners never actually see how their dog is handled once it leaves the house.
At the very least, a dog walker should have insurance, a certificate showing they have completed a dog first aid course, and a DBS check. These are the bare minimum signs of responsibility, they not proof of skill.
So how do you know your dog is genuinely being cared for with love and respect? Of course, you don’t!
Dog walkers and day care may work for some dog owners, but dog day care and dog walkers are usually unable to attend if your dog becomes ill with a respiratory infection (commonly referred to as kennel cough as these tend to be highly infectious) or gastroenteritis., or even fleas. Dogs do get ill from time to time, and can also develop chronic conditions that require a lot of extra care, and you will need to be able to take the time off work to care for them. No dog should routinely be left for more than 4 – 5 hours, let alone crated.
If you will be relying on a dog walker in the day time, you need to consider that this arrangement may work for more independent breed types. You might also want to consider what your dog walker’s capabilities are.
A few years ago I had an enquiry from a person who owned a German shorthair pointer. Her problem was that she worked full time and did not have time in the week to exercise it, so she relied on a dog walker to take her dog out for an hour in the day time. It was not a problem she was having, bu the dog walker who was finding the dog too much for her to handle. There’s ‘a lot of dog in a GSP’, they *are* a handful by nature, and really not an ideal breed of choice if you are not one to celebrate that joy!
As a dog trainer, the big part of my work is in helping owners understand their dogs better and show them methods to help them manage behaviours that they find challenging. Waving a wand an remotely changing a dog’s behaviour for a third party was a little beyond my remit!
I could only suggest she looked for another walker with more experience of HPR’s and working dogs. In a more ideal situation, I would have suggested that a GSP might not be the ideal choice of dog for her given that she did not have the hours in her day to exercise it properly herself.
The real point
Choosing a dog is not about the cutest face or the breed you have always admired. It is about understanding what the dog was bred to do, what their body is designed for and whether you can meet those needs every day.
Some breeds are simply easier for busy households because they are forgiving, people‑focused and not easily offended by clumsy human behaviour. Staffies are a great example. They suffered reputational damage in the late 90s and 00s because they were the dog of choice for younger men who wanted to look tough. Their solid body shape fitted the image, but what made them popular was how easy they are to live with. They are affectionate, sturdy little dogs who are stoic enough to cope with boisterous children and enjoy being part of whatever the family is doing. They are not demanding like the more intense working breeds and tend to take life as it comes.
*Hobby breeders, more accurately breed enthusiasts who breed for the love and passion of their chosen breed.