Choosing a dog breed: 6 things I wish people would consider first that will save them money, time and stress

Helen Masters with five dogs of different breeds.

I’ve been working with dogs for more than 20 years as a breeder and a qualified dog behaviorist, rehabilitator and trainer. I have seen all the mistakes that new dog owners make time and time again, and some of these stem from choosing the wrong breed.

There are so many dog breeds – some are high-energy, while others are cited as the smartest breeds – but one thing that’s clear is that not every breed is for every owner, and there’s a little work needed to find the right match.