Hands2Paws 4+

Absolutely love the idea behind this app. Far too often people pick a dog that isn’t entirely right for them based on just how the dog looks etc. A questionnaire could definitely help narrow down breeds. When I tried finding a rescue breed it only resulted in two searches, a little disappointing but perhaps this was all that was near me that matched my criteria. My next search was for a purebred dog. I ticked off that I wanted hypoallergenic and minimal shedding but it seemed to pull up both really hairy breeds and dogs with very short coats that would shed a lot. I think with a little fine tuning this app could be a life saver! The dogs did match some of my other criteria however. I think this app could benefit from asking the user what criteria is most important to them (ie if non shedding was important than it could pull up such breeds first and foremost) or even to narrow down the breeds in the search.

I was curious to see what type of dog would match my personality. Once I completed the set of questions the app promptly showed me various matches. And I must say I agreed! I like that I can do multiple searches with different answers. It is a great tool to be able to research the best dog that fits my lifestyle. I decided on a Boston Terrier and have already spoken to the recommended breaded in my area. Bravo!

I said small dog, and while it recommend a few small dogs, it also recommended large dogs, including a Cane Corso! When I asked for a rescue dog, it didn’t come up with any recommendations. Also, the grooming question confused me: occasional (once or twice a month), minimal (some dogs require special hair cuts), or frequent (I love brushing and combing). To me, “minimal” should be the least amount, and “occasional” would be slightly more, but based on the descriptions, it sounds like the opposite. Also, IMO a dog that needs a special haircut (presumably from a groomer) is high maintenance, not minimal. I gave this app 2 stars because it does link you to the website of breed clubs where you can get info on temperament and health concerns, plus they have a directory of breeders that meet the breed club’s standards.