Should a single man get a dog? Here’s the Answer

Six Reasons Single Guys Should Get Dogs Immediately (And It’s Not Why You Think)

Anyone whos ever walked a dog through a park knows that dogs are man’s best wingman as well as his best friend. But while it may shock some men to hear this, owning a dog actually makes you a better-suited partner for any relationship. If you’ve been told a hundred times you’re a terrible boyfriend, maybe it is time to invest not only in yourself, but in a furry friend who will teach you how to care for something other than yourself.

It may sound insane, but having something incredibly cute force you to get up every morning so you can watch it poop will teach you of a humility you didn’t know you possessed. After you’ve had an extremely hard day at the office, a dog can teach you that they’ll love you no matter how much your boss yelled at you; and especially, it will teach you about leaving your work at work.

Whatever your situation may be, owning a dog teaches you an enormous amount about yourself. You’ll learn what you like and what you don’t like, and it will give you a sense of overwhelming responsibility that anyone who has been in a serious relationship will understand. Take my dating advice: Get a dog. It won’t be easy, and it won’t always be fun, but it’ll be worthwhile. Just like any relationship worth having.

If you need to attend an after-work event, then try and make some concessions. For example, you might want to go back home at lunch and give your dog some quality walking time, or you might want to ask a trustworthy friend to visit your home and play with your dog for a bit. Its okay to leave your dog alone at home but not too often.

This isnt necessarily a bad thing. Many dog owners underestimate both what it takes to own a dog and the commitment required to ensure the dog lives a happy and fulfilling life. It makes it even harder if you live by yourself and dont have anyone to share the dog ownership responsibilities. That said, people who live by themselves shouldnt feel that its impossible to own a dog. Here are some points to consider for single households interested in getting their own Fido.

Do you live in a place that allows pets? If so, do they have restrictions over the types of dogs can be brought in? Reach out to your landlord and make sure you wont fall foul of any property regulations.

At minimum, you should be spending a couple of hours per day interacting with your dog (even longer if you are getting a puppy). They are highly sociable animals, and things can go south fast if your dog is alone for an extended period of time. Some single dog owners with long working hours are able to get around this by hiring a dog walker or dog sitter, but that can be a huge financial commitment.

Single households should consider low-energy dog breeds such as the shih tzu or the Maltese. In general, these dogs are perfectly content with a brisk walk every day. Some single dog owners are able to reduce their dogs boredom throughout the day by doing some extensive exercise in the morning. This will tire out the dog and will encourage her to take a nap until you return from work in the evening.

What Makes a Good Dog for a Single Guy?

We’ll get to the breed-specific recommendations in a moment, but it is important to realize that single-guy-friendly dogs are best identified by their characteristics.

You want to look for a dog with as many of the following traits as possible:

Respectable Size. Although there are exceptions, and this is a broad overgeneralization, most guys prefer dogs on the big side. Your girlfriend may want a 4 lb yap-factory that she carries around in a matching dog purse carrier, but you’ll probably enjoy a big, rough-and-tumble dog that will wrestle on the floor with you much more.

A Low-Maintenance Coat. Let’s be real, between work, school, chasing girls and hanging out with the guys, you barely have enough time to brush your own hair. You certainly won’t find the time to keep a poodle’s coat looking its best, so pick a low-maintenance breed. And remember that for some breeds, grooming isn’t just an aesthetic consideration, it can also have implications for their health due to the skin irritation and fur mats that can result from poor grooming maintenance.

Minimal Shedding. All dogs shed their hair, but some breeds produce more than others. Unless you are the kind of dude that likes sweeping and vacuuming up an archeological layer of hair every few days, you may want to select a breed that sheds relatively little.

A Matching Personality. Just like when looking for a lady, you have to pick a dog with a personality compatible with your own. If you are a metro-type dude that doesn’t like a lot of mess or nonsense, a lab that likes to roll around in the dirt is probably not the best dog for you. On the flip side, guys with mud on their truck and grit under their nails are unlikely to mesh with a petite and proper little toy breed.

Energy Level. Guys who love all things outdoors will want an energetic, action-oriented breed who is happy to go on hikes and camping trips with you!

Maturity. Caring for a dog requires plenty of love, work and sacrifice, and puppies require even more dedication. In addition to house-breaking the puppy, you’ll need to teach him basic obedience commands to ensure he is ready to greet visitors. Most single guys will find this kind of work draining, so it often makes better sense to select a mature dog who has already been trained in the basics, rather than a puppy.

Wing-Man Suitability. Despite our suggestion earlier about avoiding puppies, the truth is that there is no better pick-up prop than a cute puppy. There is just something about puppies that attracts the attention of otherwise-out-of-your-league women.

The best wing-dogs are low key, drool-free, and adorable cuddle monsters. This rules out high-energy dogs like border collies and breeds notorious for drooling, like mastiffs. However really any semi-decent looking doggy is sure to garner you some attention from the opposite sex because – let’s just say it – dogs are the best!

Don’t forget to consider the sex of the dog you will be bringing home.

For some breeds, like Huskies or Boxers, the differences between the sexes are relatively minor. However, males are often much larger than females for certain breeds, like Rottweilers. Keep this in mind if the breed you are seeking is on the big side. You’d be surprised how much more dog you are saddled with by adding another 10 to 20 pounds of weight!

It’s also important to consider the biological differences between the sexes. Unaltered females, for example, will have a cycle and require diaper-like feminine products for a few weeks about twice a year (although the vast majority of owners will have their female dogs spayed, eliminating this issue).

MEN owning a dog is a reason you choose to remain single