4 Tips on Choosing the Right Puppy for Your Family

Whether it is your family’s first dog, or your fourth, selecting a puppy can be a very difficult decision. There are a lot of things to consider.  You’ll need to figure out if you are going to adopt or buy from a breeder. You will also need to choose a breed, decide on the color, and select the gender.

As you are thinking about what kind of puppy you want, here are four important items to keep in mind.

• The energy level and temperament of the breed. How active is your family? If you go on runs or walks daily, then an active dog may be a good fit. But if you are gone a lot and won’t have time to provide the dog with a healthy amount of exercise, you may want to select a breed that is more sedentary in nature.
• The size of the dog. If you live in a small house or apartment and don’t have a lot of space, a smaller dog may be perfect for you. Larger dogs generally have more energy and need more room to play. The size of a dog can have a big impact on item #1, the energy level of the breed.
• Ease of training the breed. Some dogs are easier to train than others. Different breeds have different personalities. Some breeds are more stubborn and want to do their own thing, while others are very eager and willing to please, making them easier to train.
• How the dog handles children. If you have small children, this might be a very important factor for you. Some breeds are friendlier than others, and children don’t always know their own strength or that they shouldn’t pull on a dog’s tail. A dog with an easier temperament will often ignore these slight annoyances, while other breeds may get upset and scare the children.

Choosing a dog is an important decision for a family. They can be a great way to teach your children responsibility, respect, and love. As you are visiting puppies, keep these tips in mind. And remember, you never just go look at a puppy—you always seem to come home with an extra family member!