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Choosing the Right Dog

There are virtually hundreds of different dogs and breeds to choose from. What may be good for your neighbor or friend might not be good for you. A great dane may not fit your lifestyle while a poodle may be perfect.

When deciding on which type of dog to bring home, it's important to analyze your needs and personality rather than base your decision totally on the puppy dog eyes. There are many things to consider such as the dogs size, coat type, activity level, breed traits, and temperament. By doing research first, you can better find a dog that matches your personality and lifestyle.

Here are some things to consider when making your decision. Puppies require a lot of exercise, training and supervision. Will your lifestyle and work schedule allow you to accomodate your new puppy? If you have children, you will want a type of dog that will be safe around your children. You will also need to educate your children on how to treat your puppy.

If you have your mind set on a pure breed dog such as a Golden Retriever or a German Shepard, you might want to consider a mixed breed as well. While mixed breed dogs won't be champion bloodlines, they offer every bit as loyal, loving and playful as pedigrees and even tend to live longer than pedigrees. Another consideration might be the age of the dog you choose. Bringing a new puppy into your home could be an investment of fifteen years or so. Adopting an older dog may fit more with your needs. Also, an advantage of bringing an older dog into your home is that they tend to have already been trained and given their shots. Keep in mind that dogs are an investment and will require a certain amount of your budget for food, shelter, veterinary care and....time.

By doing your research and giving the decision some thought, you can help to make your decision to bring a dog into your home a successful one for you, your family and the new canine.

To research what type of breed that might fit your lifestyle visit these sites listed by dog breed.