by Joe Wrighter

Created on: February 14, 2009   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

For many people, the best thing about having a dog for a pet is the unconditional love they offer. Most breeds quickly become very loyal to their masters and very affectionate as well. Not only will they wag their tails in obvious joy to see you every time you come home from a long day at work, but they also will bark at intruders or people who act threateningly towards you. There is something innate in a dog that causes it to want to protect its master the way a family member watches over his or her loved ones. For this reason, many breeds instinctively make very good guard dogs.

Of course, everyone has different needs and desires, and some breeds of dogs are better suited as certain kinds of pets than others. Some people are looking for a family dog that enjoys or at least tolerates children; not all breeds will be a good fit for this scenario. At the same time, others are looking for an active dog to take hiking, running or biking with them. Once again, certain breeds are better suited to these activities. Still others just want a dog that will be content to sit with them at home on the couch and cuddle, and only a few breeds are right for this kind of person. Choosing the right dog for your lifestyle and home is a very important decision, one that too many people overlook, unfortunately.

Sporting dogs tend to be the most popular breeds with owners, and it is easy to see why. Most of these dogs, such as Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, love to be around people, are very friendly and good with kids, and are smart and have the temperament to be easily trained. Many people also choose smaller breeds of dogs because they are better suited to a small house or apartment with no backyard. Many larger dogs need to be outside more and get a lot of exercise, but miniature breeds tend to be content inside and do not necessarily need to spend a lot of time outside in a backyard.

Finding the right canine friend for you depends on evaluating your home, lifestyle and needs, and then locating a breed that fits your expectations. The first step you will want to take is to talk to a veterinarian, who can tell you about different breed's behavior and temperament, as well as medical issues. Vets will have less biased information than breeders. Feel free to do other research on breeds from other sources as well. Then, consider your daily routine. One important aspect to consider is how much time you will be able to devote to the dog. Make sure that you will be able to properly care for your dog.

The next step is to evaluate your living environment. Do you live in an apartment or house? Rural or urban area? Decide what dogs you are considering will be happy in your home environment. Next, figure out if you want a purebred or mixed-breed animal. There are definite advantages to each type, so consider what is important to you. Also, you will want to decide if you would rather have a puppy or an adult dog. Local animal rescue shelters will often have wonderful dogs of all ages to choose from

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