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dog come from? In other words, is it a purebred that comes from a puppy mill, or a purebred that comes from a conscientious and experienced breeder? Do you want to rescue a dog from the pound that needs a good home? If so, you may not know why the dog was in the pound in the first place. You can also find dogs through dog rescue organizations. Many times these groups have already worked on training the dogs and can tell you much more about their history and personalities.

8. How old of a dog do you want? Puppies are cute and adorable, you get to teach them your own favorite tricks, and they are great for meeting members of the opposite sex. But puppies also go through developmental stages just like a human child, and some of those stages can be very frustrating. Young adult dogs will already be displaying their personalities for you, and have usually outgrown those difficult puppy stages. They have pretty much grown to full size and their markings and colors are stable, so you can get a good idea what your dog will look like in the years to come. Most young adult dogs have (hopefully) already received some training. Older dogs should be considered too. Yes, they won't be with you as long, and they may have some health problems. But they are also more stoic, less active, and they tend to bond well to their new owners.

9. What kind of temperment does your new dog need to have? Some dogs are great with children, others aren't. Some do well with cats, some think cats are moving targets. Some will be agressive, others submissive. These kinds of things are difficult, if not impossible to change.

10. What sex do you want your dog to be? Either way, PLEASE have your new dog spayed or neutered. If you are not an experienced professional, it is unconscionable to breed dogs just for the fun of it, to make a little extra money, or to teach your children the "miracle of life". There are way too many dogs being euthanized each day to add even more to the population. Besides, spaying and neutering your dog makes them less agressive and less likely to roam. With that being said, males tend to be more dominant than females, meaning you may have to work a little harder to teach him that you are the "alpha". Depending on what age you have a male neutered, they may learn to "lift their leg" when they urinate, also known as marking. Females tend to be a little more stubborn when it comes to training, and in my experience, they seem to be a little less playful when it comes to rough-housing.

There you have it - my top ten things you should consider when choosing a dog. But real quick, here are a few last minute thoughts. Before getting a dog, please remember that dogs are pack animals. They are not meant to be left alone all the time in the back yard. If you can't commit to making the dog a lifetime member of your family, then please consider a different kind of pet. As they say, "There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners." If you are having trouble training your dog, ask yourself what you are doing wrong. It usually isn't the dog's fault. All inexperienced dog owners should use the services of a good dog trainer. Good luck!

Learn more about this author, Todd Eastman.
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