How to Pick a Dog That Will Fit in with Your Life

People fall in love with certain dog breeds for any number of reasons--personality, looks, breed stereotypes. However, you must consider one factor above all these when it comes to choosing your dog, and that's how that dog or breed will fit into your lifestyle.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet
• Books on dog breeds
• Multiple visits to pet stores
• Correspondence with others who own a type of dog you are interested in

1. Evaluate your current lifestyle, including elements like how much you travel, spontaneously stay the night at friends' places, exercise, spend long hours at work and have friends over.
2. Visit the American Kennel Club's Web site or go to a bookstore to obtain information on the various breeds that would adapt well to your lifestyle.
3. Determine how much space you have and can give to a dog, including whether you rent or own, live in close proximity to neighbors or have a yard or large amount of outside space for them to occupy.
4. Calculate how much money, including adoption, breeder's fees, vet visits, pet food, extra pet deposits and toys, a new dog would cost. Factor into account any special needs that the dog breed you're looking at might likely occur.
5. Call various pet stores, shelters and reputible breeders and set up appointments to interact with dogs of that breed in person. Ask the breeders/employees any questions you may have about the breed.

Tips & Warnings

• To give a dog a "trial run" you can always offer to house a displaced dog. These types of situations usually present themselves when a natural disaster happens or when a shelter is too overrun to provide for each dog.
• No matter how much information you obtain on a breed your dog may still hold many surprises, so be sure to talk to experts and owners who are very familiar with that dog breed and its personality quirks. Ask about any surprises that they've encounter while dealing with the breed.