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.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

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.

Resources

• Dog Pictures

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on 5/23/2009 We are looking for a dog now, there is a lot to consider when choosing thanks for the information

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on 9/29/2008 Greyhounds are the best: love of company, quiet, loyal, intelligent. Thousands of greyhounds are bred and destroyed in the racing industry. Consider adopting one, you won't regret !

on 8/8/2006 When you choose your dog, spend time with it and don't rush. When I got my dog I was with 5 other dogs too. I just started to pet all of them, 5 squirmed around but one stayed there and I felt a click, it's like a "you're not my dog but still I love you so much" feeling. I kept petting and carrying her and she fell asleep in my lap. She looked like an angel. Her siblings ran to someone else. It's hard to describe a click, but once you get one - you just know.

on 6/30/2006 Getting a dog because you think it will better your rank in society is cruel and foolish. Someone that does not know what it takes to raise a good dog should stick to hermit crabs and goldfish. Pits are very determined and active dogs, and if you don't have the time to show them who the master is, they can get destructive very quickly.

on 3/21/2006 Golden Retrievers make loyal companions for life, but keep in mind that it is common in this particular breed of dog to have problems with their hips. Make sure you understand the common sicknesses and traits of any breed before you decide to adopt them.