Primary, you most first think about your existing space. If you live in a small apartment you will want to rule out large dogs. Look for dogs in the Toy group, such as Yorkshire Terriers, or some of the smaller dogs in the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.

If you have kids, you will want to think about the size of your dog. Very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese, can be very delicate and are often inadvertently injured by children. On the other hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards, can be too boisterous as puppies and can accidentally knock over your child. Consider medium sized breeds, such as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos, instead.

After that, consider how much exercise you can give your dog. If you have a home with a fenced yard, your dog will be able to get a little exercise on his own. On the other hand, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups are of high energy, so you will need to have adequate time to provide them with more demanding exercise. Plan to take a lot of long walks with your dog. These dog breeds were bred to work hard and don't do well unless they have a job to do or a way to burn off surplus energy.

Finally, don't forget to think about grooming needs. Some dog breeds only need a half hour or so of grooming a week, while others need to be groomed for an hour a day. If you have very little time, don't buy a Standard Poodle or a Maltese, unless you plan on taking your dog to a groom. Breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets are good choices for individuals who don't have time to do a lot of grooming.

Once you have made your mind up which breed of dog you want, you will need to think about the age of the dog. A lot of people go for a cuddly little puppy instead of an older dog. Although puppies have not developed any bad habits, it will be up to the new owner

to be sure that the puppy becomes housebroken and obedience trained. Older dogs are normally already housebroken and more often than not have some obedience training. Still, they can have behavioural problems or health problems that pressed the former owner to find them a new home.

Are you interested in buying a puppy? If so, you will need to find an honest dog breeder who has a litter of the breed you are interested in. A good breeder will often have a waiting list for puppies, so you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store instead. However, many pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have inherent health defects, bad temperaments, or other problem. It is usually safest to buy a puppy straight from the breeder.

If you are interested in an older dog, you should visit a local animal shelter or call a breed rescue. These groups assess the dogs' health and temperament before adopting them out.

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Lionel Estridge
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