Bringing a dog into your family is a decision that shouldn’t be made on a whim! Choosing a dog that doesn’t quite “fit” with your family can create stress and chaos, and too many young, healthy dogs end up in animal shelters because their families got tired of dealing with them.

What type of dog will work best for your family depends upon a number of factors. Of course, there may be several dog breeds or cross breeds that would make suitable companions, and some dog owners prefer mutts or mongrels of indeterminate parentage.

This guide will show you how to choose the best dog breed for your family, and help you decide what qualities you most desire, and which dogs will fit into your lifestyle.

Pure breed dogs generally have predictable appearances and owners can be reasonably certain what their dog will look like when it matures. Choosing a breed on appearances alone is unwise; different breeds have different needs regarding diet, exercise, training, and other aspects of dog care. Do your research before choosing a particular breed, so you don't find out the hard way that you've made the wrong choice.

Designer dogs (actually cross breeds or hybrid dogs), have gained a reputation as teeny fashion accessories worn by Hollywood actresses, but dog breeders have historically crossed two pure breeds hoping to combine the best qualities of both breeds.

Poodles are commonly cross bred with other pure breeds in hope that the resulting puppies will inherit the Poodle’s hypoallergenic coat, high intelligence and easy trainability while retaining the non-Poodle parents' family-friendly personality. Poodle crosses often find homes in families with allergy sufferers, or are trained as service dogs for the disabled who have dog allergies.

There’s no guarantee, however, that the litter won’t inherit the least desirable qualities of the parents. It takes generations of inbreeding to create cross breed dogs with predictable characteristics. With the popularity of designer dogs, many genetically inferior hybrid dogs are flooding the market. Just as when choosing a pure breed puppy, ask the breeder if the parent stock has been tested and certified to be free of potentially serious inheritable defects.

Mongrels appeal to dog owners who enjoy surprises. Even if you are familiar with both of the parent dogs, it’s hard to say which the puppies will resemble more, and even puppies in the same litter can vary greatly in their appearance and temperament. But they’re usually free, and can be easily found through classified ads or notices on public bulletin boards, or from neighboring dog owners whose female dogs were indiscriminately mated.

All healthy puppies are energetic creatures, but some breeds calm down as they mature while others retain their exuberance. Choose a breed whose activity level at adulthood will match that of your family, but remember that all dogs need daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

Do you want a dog who will follow you around or who is more independent? One that will go jogging with you, or is content to lay at your feet? Do you want a dog who is good with children? Do you want a watchdog? A dog whose activity levels match those of the family members will make the best companion for that family. Choose a breed whose expected characteristics match your family's lifestyle.

Of course, there may be many dog breeds with similar characteristics who would make a good fit. The family who doesn't choose their dog carefully may end up with a live wire, when they would prefer one that is calmer by nature, or may find they have a dog who simply isn't interested in going jogging or swimming with them. Some dogs end up in animal shelters because they weren't a good fit with the families who chose them. Don't make the same mistake!

Some dog owners love fussing over their dogs and will happily spend hours brushing and combing them, while others don’t have the time or desire to groom a dog. Long, thick hair needs daily attention to keep the coat tangle-free and in top condition, while dogs with short, close coats may only need wiped down with a wet cloth once in a while to keep them presentable.

Long, thick hair needs daily attention to keep the coat tangle-free and in top condition, while dogs with short, close coats may only need wiped down with a wet cloth once in a while to keep them fresh-smelling and presentable. Some dog breeds benefit from having their undercoats stripped seasonally to avoid excessive shedding, and some breeds such as the poodle, whose hair grows continually with little shedding,must have their coats clipped regularly.

If you have your heart set on a dog with a high-maintenance coat but don't have the desire to do the grooming yourself, your dog will need to be professionally groomed to keep his coat in top condition. A poorly kept coat puts your dog at risk of skin diseases and infections, so consider whether the expense of paying a dog groomer fits into your budget.

Once you and your family have decided on the general characteristics that you want in your family companion, take this quiz on the Animal Planet web site. The quiz results will give you several breeds to consider that should be a great fit with your family!