A longer barrel gave higher velocity, which can be good or bad.
Long guns are for distance. A pistol or revolver is for short range
issues. A very short barrel is good for house use, where you will be
confused, half awake, without your glasses, and half tangled in your
bedclothes--long-barrel handguns bump into things, do not swing easily.
If you need your shotgun in your house, your dog is useless.
Practice, practice, practice on some kind of regular basis, both dry
shooting and live shooting.