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Step 1
Evaluate how much you’re willing to spend on pet care. Things like vet bills, food, pet accessories and grooming costs are all ongoing expenses.
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Step 2
Choose from breeds (pure or mixed) that compliment your child’s personality. For instance, kids who are sensitive and enjoy cuddling typically do well with small dogs that enjoy affection; whereas children who are rambunctious do better with medium and large breeds that aren't easily angered.
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Step 3
Find out how big the dog will become before bringing him home. Too many dogs end up in shelters because they’ve outgrow their living space. Imagine the heartbreak of telling your kids that you have to find Sparky another family because he has become too large to stay.
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Step 4
Avoid obtaining adult dogs from owners via newspaper ads (free or otherwise). There are usually reasons the dogs are being given away. Don’t run the risk of getting stuck with pets that are ill or have severe behavior problems.
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Step 5
Do your research. While each dog is different, there are certain character traits that are common to each breed. For instance, most Labrador retrievers are known for being reliable, easy to train, mild tempered and extremely intelligent--which is why they're often used as service dogs, and generally make excellent pets for children.
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Step 6
Talk to your child’s physician if he has allergies or a compromised immune system before bringing a dog into the home.
