Now that you’ve decided that a dog definitely needs to take a place in your future, some preparations need to be made. Too often dog owners do not check the details and make irresponsible decisions by selecting a dog that is not right for them. Consequently, a time that should be happy and joyous ends up being a sad and stressful experience for the owner, as well as for the dog. As a result of these poor choices, many of these dogs often end up in a shelter simply for doing what they were bred to do.

There is a huge selection of dogs to choose from, and not only do they vary in color and size, there are also a multitude of temperaments. Fortunately, with dog ownership on the rise, the resources available to enable you to make a responsible decision are available in abundance. Bookstores have various books on dog breeds that offer a wealth of information. There is usually a picture of each breed and a short description as well. The description will often list the negative qualities as well as the positive ones. For example, some terriers, not all of course, are prone to digging. They were bred to hunt vermin, which involves digging. If you are someone who is adamant about having a spotless lawn and garden, perhaps some of these terriers are not right for you.

There are several websites that also offer information related to individual breeds. Some sites even have a questionnaire for you to fill out to help you narrow down your search for a dog that fits your lifestyle. The usual questions like size and color are easy to answer, but there are more detailed areas that specifically ask things like “how much time do you want to spend grooming?” or “how much time do you have to exercise?” or “Is shedding a concern?” These are important issues that need to be addressed honestly. Are you looking for a dog that you can worry about ongoing grooming with indefinitely, or are you someone who barely has enough time to comb their hair? Are you someone who walks two or three miles a day and would like a partner for these walks, or are you someone who may or may not walk once a week and would like a calmer dog? Are you an impeccable housekeeper who is bothered by the slightest bit of dust, or are you one of those who is not opposed to sweeping up dog hair when necessary? If you take the time to answer questions like these, you are more likely to create a good match between you and your dog. People will spend days and sometimes weeks researching and shopping before making a throwaway purchase. Yet these same people will impulsively buy a puppy “because he’s cute,” not realizing a single fact regarding his heritage. This pup is likely to last for many years, yet the purchase is often made without checking any of the details.

Once you decide what type of dog is right for you, you’ll need to find a responsible breeder. Feel free to ask the breeder questions about any concerns you may have. Discuss the normal traits of that breed, ask for references, and get the details on any warranties. A responsible breeder is more than happy to discuss any of his concerns because he wants to be sure that one of his dogs is the right dog for you.

Perhaps your lifestyle is more conducive to an adult dog than a puppy. This is something that only you can decide. There are many nice dogs and sometimes puppies too in the different rescue groups. You should check out these places. These organizations are often full of very nice animals, and your adoption could save another life. Many of these dogs are there through no fault of their own. His owners realized too late that he wasn’t a good match, simply because they didn’t take the time to “detail the dog.”