Picking the right dog for your family is an important decision. You will want the canine's habits and temperament to suit your needs. For help finding the perfect dog for you, read through this guide on how to choose a dog.
Getting a dog is a big step. Dogs are social animals. You need to make sure that you have plenty of time to spend with your animal friend and give her or him proper dog obedience training, and plenty of exercise and socialization and then of course lots of love and affection. If you have children; especially young ones, you will need to make sure that your dog will be compatible with them. Allergies are another consideration to keep in mind. It may sound like a lot to think about, but the following steps will help you get a dog that meets your needs and gives you years of love and joy.
Featured Video - How to Pick the Right Dog
Factors such as the dog's individual temperament, breed characteristics and your lifestyle are important considerations when deciding on a dog for your family.
Step 1: List Your Needs
Make a list of all of your requirements, and what you think you can handle. Consider:
Step 2: Research Breeds
To find the best match of dog for you and your family, it will help to look at a complete breed directory for ideas. Keep in mind, though, that mixed breed dogs or mutts can be wonderful pets, too. The personality of the individual animal is more important than the breed. Still, lineage can sometimes be a strong factor in temperament and overall behavioral style and so should be a part of how you begin to make your decision.
For detailed information on specific dog breeds, check out a website such as www.dogbreedinfo.com, www.akc.org or www.dogster.com. You can also refer to the Mahalo page on How to Choose a Dog Breed for a step by step guide.
Step 3: Adopt if Possible
Sure, you can go to a pet store and pay hundreds of dollars for a dog that comes from a seller who deals animals for profit. However, unfortunately, these dogs are often kept in uncomfortable conditions, and may have been bred in abusive 'puppy mills'. When you buy from these stores, you are supporting these practices.
There are many wonderful dogs - from puppies to adults - available for adoption from animal shelters, breed rescue groups and other local area dog rescue organizations. When you adopt, you may be saving a life.
