Breeding responsible pet ownership: Choosing the right dog or cat

June 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM EDT

(BPT) - Bringing a dog or cat into your life, whether through adoption or purchase, is a significant decision, as each pet and breed is unique and has its own specific needs. There are many factors to consider, from the energy level and temperament of this new family member to grooming needs and space requirements. Careful consideration when choosing a dog or cat breed can help pet parents prepare for the financial, emotional and time commitments that come with ownership.

"The addition of a dog or cat to the family can be a wonderful thing, but it's important to do your research to make sure that the breed is compatible with your needs," says Heather Berst, MA, VMD, Cross Brands Medical Lead at Zoetis, the global leader in animal health. "Finding the perfect furry family member for a given lifestyle ensures that both the pet and owner thrive and continue to strengthen the unique bond they share with each other. Responsible pet ownership starts with trusted veterinary advice."

Really cute dog looking at the camera and panting while standing in between a stone walkway and nicely trimmed lawn.

Knoxville, Craig's dog

A new one-stop shop for all things dogs and cats

"Choosing the right dog for our family was a big decision," explains Craig Heit. "We're 'big dog' people but, with small children in the house, we needed to make sure we factored things like size, temperament and energy level into our decision-making process. A pet is a huge responsibility, and having a trusted, vet-approved resource is so important because you want to do whatever you can to make sure you made the right decision."

Recognizing the need for veterinarian-approved, science-backed insights to help current and prospective pet owners make confident, informed decisions - from managing preventative care to breed-specific health needs - Zoetis created its Breed Explorer website. Breed Explorer is a one-stop shop for pet owners and those looking to welcome a new furry best friend into their family, providing them with personalized insights to help them choose a pet that matches their lifestyle and helping to ensure that the unique needs of the family and pet are being met.

"The internet is overflowing with pet care advice but knowing what is accurate and trustworthy can be a challenge," Dr. Berst explains. "Breed Explorer's vet-approved breed guides, articles and checklists equip current and potential pet owners with the knowledge needed to navigate every stage of a furry family member's journey, contributing to a healthier and happier pet and owner."

Mani, a beautiful black cat, is sitting on the window sill.

Mani, Autumn's cat

A suite of resources to optimize pet ownership and care

While there is no such thing as the perfect dog or cat, there might be a perfect breed for each person and their lifestyle. With a database of over 400 dog and cat breeds, Breed Explorer is the perfect destination to learn more about pet ownership, including:

Traits Explorer: Breed Explorer provides tools to help potential pet owners explore dogs and cats based on size, how good they are with families (especially children) and other pets, intelligence, temperament and even how allergy-friendly they are. Different breeds can have very different physical and personality characteristics. Breed Explorer can help people understand these differences, which can help in the selection process.

Resources: Breed Explorer empowers pet owners with a range of resources, including guides to optimize pet health, helpful downloadable health insights, and even health quizzes to help identify any concerning signs or symptoms a pet might be displaying.

Jeopawdy: Pet lovers can also test their breed knowledge with Jeopawdy! A fun trivia game providing pet lovers with a chance to learn, win a breed-themed prize pack and sign up for personalized pet care tips.

"We live in a small apartment and wanted a cat that was friendly and just the right size for us since we often have people over and want Mani to feel comfortable joining in on the fun," says Autumn Blackmon-Burk. "What's great about Breed Explorer is that, even after finding our perfect match, there's so much more that keeps us coming back to help ensure we're providing Mani the best care possible and doing everything we can to keep him healthy."

Pet ownership is a long-term commitment, and by equipping pet owners with the tools and knowledge they need, Zoetis is helping foster stronger, healthier human-animal bonds that enrich lives and create lasting memories. "Zoetis understands the special bond between humans and their pets, and we're committed to supporting pet owners on every step of their journey, from choosing the right breed to training a new pet and caring for a senior companion," says Dr. Berst.

To check out the Zoetis Breed Explorer and play a game of Jeopawdy breed-themed trivia for the chance to win a prize pack, visit ZoetisPetcare.com/Breed-Explorer.

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Breeding responsible pet ownership: Choosing the right dog or cat

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