If you've decided to adopt a dog into your family, one of the most important decisions that you make will be selecting the right dog for you. There are a great many factors to consider when choosing a dog for your family. The decision will ultimately depend upon your living situation, the people and other animals in your home, your budget, your desires in a pet and many other factors as well. In order to make sure that you end up with a perfect match in a dog, it's important to very carefully consider all of these decision points.
The Home Environment
One of the first things that you should think about when you're beginning to consider adding a dog to your household is the environment in your home. If you have children, and/or other pets, you may wish to look for a dog that is going to get along well with those animals. The breed of dog that you select will have an impact in this regard; some dogs are more likely to be friendly with animals and children, while others will have aggression issues and may try to chase or attack your pets. The age and background of the dog that you select is important as well, as puppies are more easy to acclimate to a home with other animals in it.
Your Budget and Goals
Some dogs are available for you to purchase or adopt for a very low price. If you opt to select a dog from the pound, the humane society, or elsewhere, you may be able to acquire your pet for a low fee or even for free. If you're interested in a pure breed dog, however, you'll need to be prepared to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in meeting with a breeder and reserving a particular animal.
While selecting your pet, it's important to make sure that you'll have the budget for your pet's:
- vaccines
- food
- supplies
- toys
This may influence your decision of which dog to purchase.
Other Environmental Factors
Other factors that might have an impact on your decision of a pet include the amount of space that you have in your home; a smaller home may be uncomfortable for a larger dog. If you are looking for a pet to be able to play and be active outside with you, certain breeds are more predisposed to these behaviors. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a pet to help protect your property, more aggressive and guard-trained dogs are perhaps better for your needs.
Before you select a pet, it's important to look to all of the different options in your area. Consult with a vet or with friends who have dogs as well. There may be individual dogs or breeds that you have yet to think of and which may be perfect for your desires.