What Kind of Dog Should I Get?

Beagle

Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beagle_600.jpg

Dogs

Puppies

Once you have made the decision to get a canine, you will probably ask, “What kind of dog to get?” There are a few important things you will need to think about in order to choose the best dogs for you or your family. You need to make sure you are financially ready to take care of it for at least 10 years, probably more. This is part of the decision making process to answer the question.

Things to Consider

Consider your living arrangements, your maturity, if you have young children, and how much time you have to devote to an animal. With a few tips and suggestions, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to determine.  Dogs when trained are an excellent addition to any family.  If you have children you will likely want to start looking at puppies.  However, this will not work if the children are toddlers or are not very old.[1]

Pug needs a lot of attention but great with children

Credit: Wikimedia Commons The Dog Breed Bible: Descriptions and Photos of Every Breed Recognized by the AKC
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Size Means Everything

When you are first deciding what animal to get, you’ll want to think about what sized one do you want. If you live in an apartment, you will want a small pet. If you live on a farm, you may want a large one. Your canine needs enough room to move around, so it would not be a good idea to adopt a Bull Mastiff if you live in a studio apartment in Manhattan.  You may want to get two dogs to keep each other company.  Again you may want to start out with puppies.  A little thought must go into choosing the best dogs for you and your family.

Do not only consider the animal's size, but consider your size and the size of your family members too. If you have small children, small pets, especially teacup-sized ones, do not do well around toddlers. Very tiny canines are scared very easily and do not have the tolerance for a toddler that is going to pull its tail, grab its face, or pet it the wrong way. Also, if you are a short statured person, a large St. Bernard will be harder for you to control than a golden retriever or a beagle.[2]

Temperament and Personality

Next, consider the type of personality you want. Are you looking for a running partner or a couch potato? Each breed has its own characteristics and temperaments that make some good for one type of person, while another is better for another family. For example, you live in an apartment, so you want a small pet, but you also like to take long walks in the park, so you need a hyperactive canine that can keep up with you. A Jack Russell Terrier might be the perfect choice for you. The easiest way to find out the different sizes and temperaments is to search online and read about the breeds.  If you travel you will want one that can travel with you.

Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds
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The Search Begins

Once you have narrowed it down to one to three perfect breeds for you or your family, it’s time to start looking for the one you should get. Do you want a female or male dog? Get online and start looking at Petfinder.com and look for the perfect breed and the age you’d like, and then bring home a new furry friend to your house.[3]

Summary

Dogs and puppies can be fun for you, but it does depend on what kind of dog to get; so, you want the best dogs and that means understanding and answering the question, "What kind of dog I should get?"

Breeds The Ten Largest