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How to Choose the Right Dog for Your Family

By evaluating the dog's breed and background as well as your home and lifestyle, you can assure your family of a fun and loving companion.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog Beds
  • Dog Collars
  • Dog Dishes
  • Dog Food
  • Dog Leashes
  • Dog Shampoo
  • Dog Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Consult a veterinarian, who can provide useful advice on a breed's behavior and temperament as well as potential medical problems. A vet's opinion is apt to be less biased than that of a breeder, who is trying to sell a particular breed.

    • 2

      Consider your daily routine. Are you or someone else home often enough to care for a dog? If not, consider adopting a more independent pet, such as a cat.

    • 3

      Think about your family. Do you have young kids in the house? If so, be sure to choose a breed that generally gets along well with children.

    • 4

      Evaluate your living environment. Is it rural or urban, an apartment or a house? A Chihuahua or Yorkshire terrier may love your one-bedroom apartment, but larger breeds need more room to roam.

    • 5

      Supplement the information you receive from a veterinarian with further study about different breeds. For an overview of breed characteristics, search our site for eHows on specific breeds or check the pet section of your local library. Talking to dog owners can provide additional advice.

    • 6

      Decide whether you want a purebred or a mixed-breed dog. If you plan to show or breed your dog, then choose a purebred. If not, keep in mind that mixed-breed dogs can be just as loyal and lovable.

    • 7

      Decide whether you want a puppy or an adult dog. Many wonderful puppies and adult dogs have been abandoned or given up to animal shelters or breed rescue groups, and adopting a pet from one of these sources may mean saving a life.

    • 8

      Ask the seller to tell you about particular habits or personality traits the dog exhibits.

    • 9

      Ask the seller about the parents of the puppies when visiting a purebred litter. Be sure that each parent belongs to an entirely different family and has been screened for common genetic or inheritable diseases.

Tips & Warnings

  • Be aware that the average life span of a dog is 12 to 15 years, depending on the breed.

  • Adopting an adult can save you from the surprise of not knowing what the size, appearance and disposition of the dog will be as it gets older.

  • It's not fair to the animal to adopt it and then 'return' it if you decide things aren't working out. Do your research and soul-searching beforehand, and once you've made a decision, try your best to honor the commitment.

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Comments

View all 36 Comments
  • Kristle Lucy Dec 07, 2010
    There many different breeds of dogs out there! You need to decide which breed is right for you! You need to think that how much time will you have to exercise and play with your dog! your living environment is that suitable to the dogs? What are the size that you are considering! Of course, the most impoartant you need to survey the dog characteristic is that will suitable to you? You need to really research on the breed that you like before you really bring it home!
  • primpunkin Jul 24, 2009
    A++
  • infoexpress May 23, 2009
    We are looking for a dog now, there is a lot to consider when choosing thanks for the information
  • pb200457 Mar 06, 2009
    Good tips! Thanks.
  • RAF2005 Mar 03, 2009
    Great article. It's important for people to realize that dog ownership is a big responsibility and commitment.

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