Are you planning on adding a dog to your family? If this is your first dog, you may be confused as to which breed is right for you and your family. Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities and it's important to find dog that will be a good fit for you and your family's living situation and lifestyle. Some people make the mistake of falling in love with a certain breed and rush out to bring one home before considering the many variables associated with that particular dog. Impulse dog buying is not the way to way to ensure a good fit for either dog or human. It's important to take the time to research dog breeds before bringing a new dog into your life.
What's the best way to research dog breeds? The easiest way to start is to read up on various dog breeds at your local library or some of the many online sites that give such information. When you're in your local bookstore, pick up copies of Dog World and Dog Fancy magazine. These publications are a wealth of information on dog breed characteristics. If your library has back issues, you may want to spend a few hours leafing through them. Dog Fancy magazine usually highlights a different dog breed and its characteristics in each issue.
When you research dog breeds, it's important to consider such variables as your level of experience as a dog owner. Some breeds are better for first time dog owners than others. For example, if you've never owned a dog, a Rotweiller may not be your best choice. Take into consideration how much room you have in your home. If you live in an apartment, a small quiet breed of dog may be preferable to a boisterous, bouncy Golden Retriever who needs a place to run. How much time do you have to devote to exercising and playing with your dog? Certain working dog breeds such as the German Shepherd and Border Collie need frequent, fast paced exercise. Do you have small children? A smaller dog that's tolerant of children such as a Bichon Frise might be a good choice.
Once you've done your reading and narrowed down your potential selection of dog breeds, visit some of the online forums devoted to dog breeds and question some of the dog owners about their experiences. You can glean a lot of useful information from actual dog owners that you won't find in books and magazines. Spend some time posting to the forums and get your questions answered.
When you research dog breeds, your last step should be to interact with the particular breed you're considering adopting. Visit your local dog park and watch the breed you're considering in action. Visit with the dog, with the owner's permission, and question them about their experiences. Does this particular breed resonate with you? Would he fit in with your family and lifestyle?
You're now ready to start looking into sources for the particular dog breed you want to adopt. Don't forget to consider dog rescue organizations and your local animal shelter as places to adopt your chosen dog. Not only will you get your chosen breed, but you'll be giving a dog a much deserved second chance.
