Before you bring a dog into your life, read this.
A thoughtful guide to choosing a dog whose needs you can meet.
Thinking about getting a dog? Start here.
Bringing a dog into your life is a beautiful decision, but the right dog should match your home, energy, time, budget, grooming ability and lifestyle. This free guide walks you through everything that matters so you can make a thoughtful, informed choice that supports both you and the dog for years to come.
Questions to ask breeders & rescues
How to get real information, not just sales talk.
Lifetime costs of ownership
Grooming, vet bills, food, tools and emergency care.
Responsible lifetime care
What long-term support, kindness and planning looks like.
Red flags to notice early
Things to look for when choosing a puppy or rescue.
Coat type & grooming needs
What each coat requires in brushing, washing and groomer visits.
Temperament & coping style
How dogs cope with stress, novelty, noise and everyday life with humans.
Home & Lifestyle Compatibility
Apartment vs rural, busy household vs quiet home.
Energy & exercise requirements
Choosing a dog whose energy matches your real life, not your fantasy life.
Who This Guide is For
Choosing a dog is a deeply personal decision. This guide supports you by helping you think clearly, honestly and compassionately about what a dog will need from you - not just in the first year, but over their lifetime.
first-time dog owners who want to start on the right foot
families choosing a dog for their children and want the best fit for a loving home
people comparing breeds or mixed breeds and trying to understand differences
anyone considering a poodle-mix and wanting to know the truth about coat care
people adopting a rescue dog who want to make a thoughtful match
people who have owned dogs before but know that expectations, knowledge and responsibilities have changed
anyone who wants to avoid grooming surprises, temperament mismatches and future heartbreak
If you want to choose a dog with your head and your heart, this guide is for you.
Why We Created This
Dog ownership in Australia has changed dramatically over the last decade, especially since COVID. More people than ever brought dogs into their homes … and now more dogs than ever are entering rescue and surrender systems when reality doesn’t match expectations.
Too many dogs are handed over not because they are “bad dogs,” but because the humans didn’t fully understand what the dog would need in terms of:
• the grooming commitment
• the emotional support
• the energy/exercise requirements
• the behavioural and temperament realities
• the lifetime cost of care
We see this every day - through salons, through education, through conversations with groomers and dog owners. And it breaks hearts on both sides of the lead.
This guide exists to reduce that heartbreak.
When dogs and humans are well matched, everyone thrives.
The dog feels safe and understood.
The owner feels confident and supported.
The relationship becomes a joy, not a strain.
About igroomdiy
We believe every dog deserves comfort, dignity and care throughout their life. igroomdiy exists to empower pet parents with real-world knowledge and practical skills so you never feel lost or unprepared.
Through igroomdiy, we offer:
• free tutorials for home grooming
• simple, salon-grade tools
• honest education created by professional groomers
• coat-specific maintenance guidance
• behaviour-informed handling techniques
• practical advice that prioritises the dog’s wellbeing
We’ve spent decades working hands-on with thousands of dogs - seniors, puppies, anxious dogs, neglected coats, oodle coats, double coats, rescues and everything in between. We know how much difference the right knowledge makes.
If this guide helps even one dog stay in a loving home… it’s worth every hour that went into it.
This guide helps you avoid mismatches in grooming, energy level, and temperament - preventing unnecessary stress or heartbreak for both you and the dog.
You don’t have to read it all at once.
You can jump to the sections that matter most to you, revisit them as you consider different breeds, and use the content as a checkpoint during your search. This guide is here to support you - not overwhelm you.
How to Use This Guide
Ready to choose wisely?
Download the free guide and feel confident in selecting a dog that truly fits your life.
Already have a dog in your life?
Explore our free tutorials on brushing, bathing, nail trimming, coat maintenance and grooming basics at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Dog
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Breed gives you a general guide for temperament, energy and grooming needs - but every dog is still an individual. Two dogs of the same breed can behave differently and have different coat and care needs.
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Low-shedding usually means high-grooming. Curly or wavy coats require regular brushing and professional grooming every 4 to 8 weeks. These dogs are not maintenance-free - they just don’t shed much.
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Puppies require more time, training and supervision. Adult dogs come with established personalities and may already be house-trained or grooming-tolerant. The right choice depends on your lifestyle and availability.
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Not necessarily. Rescue dogs can be wonderful companions. You may need patience, structure and sometimes training support, especially if they had limited early socialisation. But with the right match, rescue dogs can thrive.
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The key factor isn’t square metres - it’s meeting the dog’s needs. Many low-energy dogs do well in smaller spaces, as long as they get daily walks, enrichment and interaction. A yard is space - not exercise.
