How to Choose the Right Breed for you.

Choosing the right dog should never be a spur-of-the-moment decision. A lot of thought, consideration and exploration should be undertaken before a new dog is brought into a home. Owning a dog is a lifestyle choice that needs thorough study with an eye towards the care, obligation and responsibility entailed for the life of that pet.

Choosing the purebred dog that's right for you requires some work. There is no substitute for making a careful study of each breed's characteristics and narrowing down the field until you are left with the one that best suits your temperament, lifestyle, accommodations and taste...

Before you buy any puppy, be sure you fully understand what the future holds in store.

Will the adult dog be large and/or require extensive grooming?

Is it likely to need lots of outdoor exercise?

Don't forget to ask yourself whether its temperament will be appropriate for your family, especially the younger members...

When you have narrowed the field on what breed you are interested in buying, go to a dog show, buy dog books, consult approved dog clubs and search out legitimate kennels. Talk to breeders and other experts. Learn as much as possible about the breed. Before you go further, be sure you are able to take care of the breed you have in mind. Be sure you have the time, interest and ability to meet its requirements and needs for its lifetime. And be sure that the puppy (and ultimate grown-up dog) is going to be accepted by the rest of your family as a part of the family unit.

A fundamental decision you need to make is which sex you plan to buy. Males are typically larger than females . . . A bitch that has not been spayed will come into season approximately twice a year, at which time you must take measures to isolate her from males and prevent staining in your home. If you do not expect to breed or exhibit your dog at shows, we recommend having it spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. These procedures do not change a dog's personality, but they can help preserve its health and curb the pet population.

Whether you purchase a male or a female is a personal decision: one may be more difficult to housetrain than the other; one too quiet and demur. It depends on your time, activities and interests, as well as what pup you fall in love with. Sometimes you need to let intuition be your guide.