The question "which dog should I get" is best answered by turning it around: It's less about which breed you find beautiful, and more about how well the dog's needs fit your everyday life. A dog typically lives an entire lifetime with you, and the choice should therefore be based on your home, your time, your activity level and your patience with coat, care and training. When those factors match, both you and the dog get the best start, and that's where you should begin, before you even look at specific breeds.

The most important things to clarify right away are how much space you have, how many hours the dog will be alone, how active your daily life is, and how much coat care you can manage. The answers to those questions narrow the field far faster than a list of popular breeds, because they tell you what kind of dog can actually thrive with you.

Match the dog's activity level with your everyday life

The single factor that most often creates problems is the mismatch between the dog's need for exercise and the owner's everyday life. Dogs with a high activity level, such as many herding and hunting dogs, need long walks, mental stimulation and tasks to solve every day. If they don't get that, the energy can turn inward and manifest as restlessness or unwanted behaviour. If you choose such a dog, you must be able to promise yourself that exercise and activation will become a fixed part of everyday life, even in rain and darkness.

If you have a more moderate daily life with fixed routines and shorter walks, you are better off with a dog whose needs are on the same level. There are many breeds and mixes that thrive perfectly well with daily walks and companionship without requiring intensive training. If you're the type who wants a companion for running, cycling or dog sports, there are breeds bred for exactly that kind of work, and they do best with a regular job to do.

How to choose size according to space and home

Size isn't just about how cute the puppy looks in the basket, but about practical everyday life in the years ahead. A large dog takes up space in the car, in the bed, on the floor and in the budget, and it needs room to move and find peace. If you live in an apartment without a garden, a larger dog isn't necessarily out of the question, but it requires you to go out several times a day. If you're considering one of the larger breeds, it's worth reading along in the guide large dog breeds, which goes through what you should pay particular attention to.

Small dogs are often easier to keep in smaller homes and easier to bring along on the go, but they still have their very own needs, among other things when it comes to food adapted to their appetite and nutritional profile. They thrive with small pieces in a suitable size that makes it easy for them to eat and digest their daily meals. You can find meals and products designed specifically for them in the collection for small dogs, just as there is a corresponding selection for large dogs.

How much coat care can you manage?

Coat is one of the areas many people underestimate. Some dogs shed heavily and leave hair everywhere, while others require regular trimming or brushing to avoid matting. If you're sensitive to hair in the home, or someone in the household reacts to dogs, it's wise to take a closer look at breeds that shed less. We've gathered an overview in the guide which dogs don't shed, which can help you understand the differences.

Regardless of which coat type you choose, hair, skin and coat are closely connected to what the dog eats. A nutritionally well-balanced diet with good fatty acids supports a healthy coat from within, and it's worth keeping in mind already when you plan what your new dog's everyday life should look like.

Puppy, adult or senior dog?

The age of the dog you take in has a big impact on what the first months will require of you. A puppy is an investment of time: it needs to be house-trained, socialised and taught very basic things from scratch, and the first weeks and months of life lay the foundation for the rest of the dog's life. In return, you get the opportunity to shape the dog in step with your shared everyday life. If you're considering a puppy, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself thoroughly with the subject, and here we've gathered advice directly from ESSENTIAL FOODS in our puppy universe, where you'll find everything from the first meals to good advice on getting started.

If instead you choose an adult dog from a shelter or rehoming, you more often know the temperament in advance, and many fundamental things are already in place. A senior dog can be a beautiful choice for someone who wants a calmer companion and would like to give an older dog good golden years. Regardless of which life stage you settle on, the dog's needs change throughout life, and the feeding should follow along. You can browse the full selection of all meals for dogs and see how the meals are composed for different life stages.

What does it cost to have a dog in everyday life?

The finances should be part of the decision from the start, because the expenses don't stop at acquisition. There are ongoing costs for food, vet, insurance, equipment and care when you're away, and they vary considerably with the dog's size and needs. A large dog eats more than a small one, and certain breeds need more grooming or professional trimming. We've made a thorough review in the guide what does it cost to have a dog, so you can form a realistic picture before you decide.

Setting a budget in advance isn't about turning the dog into a calculation, but about ensuring that you can give it a good and safe life throughout all the years, without the finances becoming a source of worry.

Nutrition as part of the choice from day one

Once you've found the dog that fits your everyday life, the daily feeding becomes one of the most important frameworks for a healthy life. ESSENTIAL FOODS' meals are prepared from human-grade ingredients and fresh raw materials and composed to match the dog's life stage, size and needs. That's why it makes sense to consider nutrition already when you choose a dog, and not only once it's standing in the kitchen. If you're unsure which meals suit your future dog, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisors are ready by phone, chat or email and can help you find the right starting point.

If you want to try things out before you decide what should be the everyday diet, you can start with a selection from trial meals and see what your dog takes well to. Should you experience health-related concerns along the way, they always belong with your vet, while the nutrition advisors can guide you on the feeding itself.

From decision to the right dog

Once you've been honest about your time, your space, your activity level and your budget, the question of which dog you should get almost answers itself, because then it's no longer about choosing the prettiest breed, but about finding the dog that can genuinely thrive with you. If you've settled on a breed and are getting ready for the arrival, you can find both practical preparation and a little inspiration for the finishing touches, among other things in our guide to dog names. Then you're ready to welcome a new companion that fits your life, from the day it moves in.