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You can write a book on this topic, but let's see if I can keep it a little shorter than that. Here is my list of 10 things to consider when choosing a dog. These are generalizations, based on a lifetime of raising and training my own dogs. Your results may vary. These are not provided in any particular order of importance. That is up to you to decide.

1. What size dog do you want? The size of your dog determines many other factors about how happy you will be with your new family member. Smaller dogs tend to live longer than bigger dogs. The bigger the dog, the larger your home should be. Big dogs make terrible lap dogs, and small dogs aren't the best at catching a frisbee. Smaller dogs also eat less than bigger dogs, so the cost of dog food comes into play.

2. How much time do you have to spend with your dog? Some breeds are okay with being left at home for 8-9 hours a day while you are off to work. Other breeds are much too active and will develop bad behavioral problems if they become bored. Some require a hard daily work-out, others are just fine with a short walk around the block.

3. What kind of behavioral traits are you looking for in a dog? Some dogs are great at sitting at your feet and looking at you with adoration in their eyes. Some are bred for herding and will have a tendency to get underfoot. Some breeds were developed for hunting rats and small animals and will have a tendency to dig in your yard. Some will freeze and point at every bird it sees. Others have been bred for protection and fighting, so you must be careful with these.

4. Pure bred vs mixed breed. Pure bred dogs are more expensive, but their typical behaviors and dispositions are well documented. Pure bred dogs tend to have more health problems than mixed breeds.

5. As already stated, pure bred dogs have more health problems. But in addition to that knowledge, it helps to know what kinds of health problems various types of dogs have. Many breeds (and related mixed breeds) tend to develop hip problems, eye problems, and other genetic diseases.

6. What type of coat does the dog have? Short haired dogs are easier to groom; ticks and stickers are easier to find and remove. Long haired dogs require more brushing to keep their coats from matting. Some dogs shed just a little, others shed the equivalent of another small dog. Thick fur is better in colder climates, thin fur is better in hotter climates. Consider anyone in your family that may have allergies.

7. Here's a big one. Where will the

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