How To Choose a Dog

A dog is like a family member, and you'll be spending a lot of time with your dog (maybe even more time than with other family members) so you should choose your dog wisely. The personalities of dogs vary widely. Knowing what kind of personalities different breeds have will help you choose the right dog for you.

Your decision should also be based on physical characteristics of the dog. For example, if you want to be like Paris Hilton and carry your dog around like a fashion accessory, or want it to be able to sit in your lap, you'll obviously need a very small dog like her chihuahua. If you have a baby or very small children and you are nervous about a large dog, it's also best to go with something smaller.

Another reason to get a smaller dog is if you have a very small home. Dogs prefer having some space, so if you don't have much, a large dog will feel cramped. A good option if you have a small apartment is a Yorkshire terrier.

Another factor to consider is allergies. If you have an allergy, the best way to minimize the problem is to get a breed that is associated with less dander. Two examples would be a Bedlington Terrier or an Irish Water Spaniel.

You also need to consider your lifestyle. Some dogs such as Golden Retrievers really need to go for long walks every single day. If you can't afford the time to take your dog on long walks, avoid these breeds. Also Golden Retrievers and certain other breeds have to be brushed often, so if you don't have the time for that, then get a dog that requires less brushing.

If your home is a target for thieves, then you may want a guard dog. German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers are popular for this. They're also great companions if you feel unsafe walking alone.

If you can't put up with much barking, you'll want to stay away from Beagles, Yorkshire Terriers, and other yappy dogs. There are some very quiet breeds that won't bark a lot, such as the Borzoi, or the Whippet.

Choosing a mellow dog is important if you don't want a high energy dog that might damage your property. If you are looking for a dog that is mellow and won't break things, you can look at low energy dogs like Bulldogs.

If you want to make sure you can train your dog not to misbehave, or to do tricks including fetch objects, then there are certain breeds like Labrador Retriever that are good for that. For a hunting dog, it's probably best to go with a Hound.

Lastly you'll want to consider appearance. Since you'll be looking at your dog a lot and chances are other people will as well, you'll want something that you like the look of. This is all based on personal preference, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just remember that certain dogs require more grooming to look their best, so if you don't have a lot of time, you'll need a more low maintenance dog. If you want a show dog that can compete, then you'll definitely want a pure bred.