by Kasandra Kessell

Created on: January 08, 2009   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

First of all, if you have decided to make a canine one of the newest members of your family, then good for you! So many dogs need good, loving homes. But, don't make this decision lightly. There are many factors to consider. As an experienced veterinary technician and adoption specialist, I will do my best to give you some great pointers.

I've learned that most people already have a pretty good idea of the type of breed that they want. And that's great as long as your lifestyle and living arrangements allow for your pet to receive the proper care. But for some however, their idealistic pet could turn into a bad decision without the right consideration. And sadly, many dogs get returned, sometimes several times.

If you decide on a larger breed, you need to either have a larger fenced yard or enough time and energy to walk it at least once a day, not to mention all of the potty breaks throughout the day. You need to consider whether or not it will get along with other pets or children. Most terrier breeds seem to get along with other dogs quit well, with the exception of pit bulls. I would highly recommend investigating a pit bull's history before bringing it home, especially with children. Labs and golden retrievers are two of my personal favorites. They also seem to be on the gentle side, and very easy to train. German shepards and huskys are quit smart as well, although not too many of them get along well with cats.

If you are making eyes for a smaller breed then the same basic rules apply. You should at least have an area of yard in which you can fence in for exercise, or be able to walk daily. Again with smaller dogs as well, terrier breeds seem to always be a good bet when it comes to other pets or children. I have raised toy fox terriers my whole life, along with jack russells, and everytime I bring a new one home it's almost as if they're thinking, "Oh boy here comes another one, make space". They always accept any newcomers. Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and poodles seem to pick one person of the family to be close with. Cocker spaniels and shitzus are good pets too, but many seem to have spicey personalities.

Whether you choose large or small, having a long haired dog takes a bit more special care. They must be groomed and trimmed regularly, or your pet will end up miserable with mattes of tangled fur. This is another important thing to consider. With any pet, they will also need to be provided with proper veterinary care. They need shots, and get sick just like humans, so make sure that your finances will allow for this. And don't forget, they eat too.

Every pet loves to be spoiled with toys and attention. So go ahead and choose your new canine, and spoil away!

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