Choosing a canine pal!

[britishbandit]

Some things to think about when choosing a breed. There have been a few threads on here about "What breed of dog should I get?". Remember that it isn't just picking one out that you think is cute. It is a big commitment, and you want to be sure your new pal suits your lifestyle for the best owner/dog relationship and happy life. You'll have this dog for years to come. This is in no particular order.

Have you ever owned a dog?

What group do you prefer? Herding, Hound, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Terrier, Toy or Mixes?

Do you prefer highly trainable, moderately trainable, or tough to train?

Do you want dominant, average dominance or not dominant?

What sort of home/yard do you have, some breeds are fine in an appartment, some need a small-medium yard, some a large yard-farm?

Do you have children, if so, is this breed know for being good with kids?

How about shedding, prefer low, moderate or high shedders? What about allergies? And how much time do you want to spend on grooming?

What size dog are you looking for, miniature, small, medium, large, x-large, giant?

How much can you afford to spend on food for your dog? Large-giant breeds eat a LOT and it can get expensive.

How much time and willingness do you have to exercise this dog? Little outdoor activity, regular short-long walks, or highly active, walks and runs?

Do you want a dog that rarely barks, someitmes barks or barks a lot?

You may not be able to find a dog that suits EVERY requirement you have, but you will definately have a few matches that fit most of them.