Dogs seek out people and take obvious pleasure in their company. They often fulfill a childlike role and are dependent in their owners for most of their life. This dependency works both ways and your dog becomes part of your family. It makes sense to try to match your lifestyle and preferences to the temperament and needs of the dog.
You may be looking for a dog with behavioral characteristics such as the ability to guard, herd, retrieve, or just sit on your lap. Other questions youll need to ask yourself are what age? size? sex? pure breed or not. For most pet parents, the age is considered first.
What age of dog? Of course, a puppy is delightful, especially if youve got children in the house, but there may be reasons why an older dog is better. If youre looking for a good companion right from the start, a young adult dog may be best. A puppy requires someone around all day to properly house train and to develop a good relationship. If you choose an older dog, make sure it is house-trained, a dog that has been kenneled for a long time may not be.
Size is the next important consideration. Large breeds are both expensive to buy and to feed, they need a lot...