The decision to getting a dog should be thought out first. Getting a dog can be a happy occasion that bring joy to a persons life, if they get the right dog suited for them.

The first thing is to look at different dog breeds. There are over 400 different dog breeds in the US. The best choice, leading to the most suitable relationship between pet and owner is the one that matches the personality and lifestyle of the owner. You want a dog you can have fun with and one that you will enjoy. If you choose a dog with a temperament that matches your personality and lifestyle, you will have great fun with the dog and the dog will have great fun with you.

With all the many breed choices possible, an impulsive decision can easily result in your owning a breed that doesn't fit your personality and lifestyle. Also with so many choices it may be hard to select one. One way is by appearance. This may come about in two ways. You may have seen a dog in a book or on the street that caught your eye. If you succeed in matching a dogs temperamental characterists to your lifestyle, you are less likely to experience behavior problems and chaos that usually arise out of a mis-match. Also consider how different breeds interact with family members and/or familiar people with other strange dogs. Would you prefer an active dog or a non-active dog?

A good way to start the selection process is to begin with a range of possibilities and reduce them down to the ideal match. Start first with physical characteristics. There are 4 physical characteristics that are the most important to consider in choosing a dog to fit your lifestyle. Coat quality, height, weight, and strength.

Coat Quality: Coat shedding and grooming: Some dogs shed excessively all year round. Some shed moderately... some shed seasonally and others shed very little. The amount of shedding should be considered when selecting a dog.

Dog Height and Strength: A dogs potential size and strength is another physical characteristic that can affect your lifestyle. Dog heights can range from 5" to 36" measured at the shoulders. Adult female dogs are usually 1 to 2 inches shorter than their male counter part.

Dog Weight: A dogs weight can range from 4 pounds to over 100 pounds. Adult females are only slightly lighter in the tiny and miniature breeds, about 5 pounds lighter in the small to medium sized breeds, 10 pounds lighter in the large and very large breeds, and as much as 15 to 20 pounds lighter in the enormous breeds.