How to Choose a Dog for Your Family (With Kids)

Dogs are great pets for families. They bring people together, provide a sense of comfort and security as well as helping children learn responsibility.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Library Card
• Computer/Internet
• A basic idea of what you desire in a canine companion
• Time
• Desire to research.

1. 

   Look at your financial security. Some types of dog cost more than others in regards to health care, grooming, basic needs and training classes. The cheapest part of adding a canine companion to your home is the initial fee whether it's an adoption fee or a breeder's fee.

2. Write a comprehensive list of traits you would like to have in your new pet (IE playful, short hair, low energy etc). Be sure to include physical characteristics AND temperament types in your list otherwise you may over look something. If you are choosing to adopt from a shelter then you may want to skip down a step since the next one is geared more towards people buying a puppy.

3. Tape your list up on the wall beside your computer so you can refer back to it. Check out a couple of the breed selection links in the resources section to help you begin narrowing your search. Research is a very important part of pet ownership. Quite a few animals are surrendered to the shelter each year because their owners didn't prepare themselves for the time and energy involved in properly raising a pup of that breed/type.

4. Once you've narrowed it down to a smaller selection (between 5-10) it's time to start looking deeper into breed information. Starting with the number one dog on your revised list. Go to AKC.org or UKC.org (if it's purebred)for very helpful breed standards as well as looking at Dogster.com>Breed Info. Check multiple sources to make sure that the you have the largest array of comprehensive material possible. For mixed breed dogs who have defining characteristics or whose breed is known (IE golden doodles, some shelter dogs) research each breed listed for them because they will have some characteristics of both breeds.

5. For those wanting to buy a puppy from a breeder, it's time to inform yourself about what a 'responsible, reputable breeder is'. I've provided some links to helpful web sites that explain the difference between a puppy mill, a backyard breeder and a responsible breeder below.
   
   Anyone wishing to adopt from a shelter needs to be aware of Petfinder.com as well as breed-specific rescues.

6. By now you should be well on your way to finding your perfect match. Take your time and enjoy your search. By laying a solid foundation of research and good preparation you are helping to ensure you enjoy your dog as fully as possible while at the same time helping provide a stable, loving environment for your four-legged addition.

Tips & Warnings

• Speak with Shelter Staff as well as friends, family and people in your area about their dogs and what they think would fit your lifestyle.
• Pick an age group. Puppies require a ton of commitment, energy and will exhaust you physically as well as mentally. Adult dogs often have less basic issues/energy while seniors often fit well in any family.
• Make sure everyone who is old enough to pitch in on training, feeding and walking agrees to getting the dog and helping with it's care.
• NEVER EVER get a pet for your child to learn responsibility. If the child is not old enough to provide for themselves financially they are not able to take full responsibility of an animal.
• Do not leave children un-supervised with dogs. Many dog attacks on children happen because they were alone together.
• Be prepared to be on a waiting list with a reputable breeder or shelter. Really good breeders often require a contract and a home visit to verify that you are able to provide the proper environment and care for their pup.

Resources

• Dogster Breed Info and Selector
• Finding a reputable breeder, Link 1
• Canine World
• Breed Selector