by DJ Andrews

Created on: December 11, 2008

If you want to revel in the experience of dog ownership, then you need to commit yourself to the research necessary to determine the right breed of dog for you. Failure to spend adequate time determining the best breed for your situation and intentions will almost invariably give birth to a wholly undesirable outcome for both you and the dog.

Before proceeding, let me say two things. First of all, if you intend to go and rescue a dog from a shelter, this article will be of little help to you. The pedigree of shelter dogs is unknown, and as such, physical and personality traits cannot be reasonably predicted. Secondly, and I can't stress this point enough, do not go to a pet store which sells dogs to pick your new dog! This is especially true if you have children with you. A few seconds of fondling a St. Bernard puppy (or any other puppy for that matter), and you're hooked. And that may well not be the dog for you.

Make a list of the things that are important to you in a dog. Here are some excellent questions and guides to assist you in composing that all important list:

Do you want a dog that does not shed?
A number of smaller breeds don't shed. This is a critical issue to many people for several reasons. Shedding dogs require more brushing, and still will drop fur at what will seem to be an impossible pace. If you're a clean-freak,' seriously consider a non-shedding breed.

Will you expect the dog to perform a task?
"Tasks" can include anything from keeping your grandmother company to hunting. The most common task for the family dog is watch dog. Not to be confused with a guard dog, a watch dog will sound an alert when a stranger comes within its domain, or any unusual activity or noise is detected. Other tasks include hunting, guard dog, retrieving, and tracking. Determining the right breed of dog for these tasks would require research not within the bounds of this missive.

Do you have an adequate place for the dog to exercise regularly?
Different breeds of dogs have different energy levels and exercise requirements. And obviously, larger dogs require larger spaces to move about freely. Many breeds of dog are content with little exercise, making them ideal for apartments and tiny yards. Some require moderate levels of exercise, and some, energetic breeds require intense workouts. If your dog doesn't get enough exercise, it will show in undesirable, often destructive ways.

Do you have any other pets?
Some breeds of dogs will adapt readily to the presence of other

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