Sometimes we do not choose the pet that enters our lives, rather, they choose us.  They show up at a door on a cold winter's evening, or we spot them wandering down a busy highway.  Other times, we decide that we must have a dog in our lives and we go in search of one.  It is best in those times to do some planning in advance, lest you arrive back at your tiny apartment with a 150 pound Irish Wolfhound puppy in tow! 

Sit down and take a good hard look at your life and be honest.  Are you a couch potato whose idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon is to curl up with a good book?  Or are you the adventurous type who climbs mountains for fun?  In either case there is a dog for you, but you may be very unhappy if you choose the wrong one.  Taking in a dog is a long-term commitment and the shelters are full of unfortunate animals whose owners did not make the right choice.   Think before you adopt! 

Narrowing the Field:

	Size:   Do you like big dogs, small dogs, medium dogs?  Do you want a hiking companion or a lap dog?  Do you have a large yard or time to exercise a large dog?   Do you have young children who may be too rough for a small dog?  Do you have other pets?
	Coat:   Do you have the time to brush a long coated dog?  Are there allergies in the family?  Can you afford the grooming costs associated with breeds such as poodles and some terriers?  Does the sight of dog hair on your carpet send you screaming?
	Temperament:   Have you had a dog before?  Are you a laid back person that a dominant dog might bully?  Of course every dog is an individual, but try to match yourself with a complimentary temperament.
	Trainability:   Are you hoping to do obedience work with your new pal?  Are you the type that likes a perfectly obedient pet?  Trainability has little to do with intelligence.  Different breeds were developed to perform different functions and therefore handle the tradition methods of training differently.  For example, Border Collies were developed to work extremely closely with their owner--taking subtle clues and watching his every move.  They are, therefore, generally easy to train...all of their breeding was concentrated on their being able to take a series of commands.  Beagles on the other hand, where bred to run in the field, independent of their owner, in pursuit of their prey.  They are somewhat harder to train--more headstrong, as they were bred to work independently.  This in no way suggests that Beagles are less intelligent, they just work in a different way.
	Health:   Are you prepared to take on the expense of vet bills?  All dogs will need their vaccinations, neutering, worming and exams.  Some breeds are more prone to health problems than others.  Investigate the breed you are considering and talk about any potential health problems with a reputable breeder.

Where to Find Your Dog:

	Animal Shelters:  By going to an animal shelter you will be saving the life of your dog.  There are many wonderful pets available at shelters everywhere, but be careful not to choose the first dog you see!  This is the hardest part about going to a shelter--it is too easy to think with your heart!  Try to decide what type of dog you are looking for before getting to the shelter...it may be helpful to call in advance, so that if they do not have the right type of dog you can avoid going in.  Most shelters keep a list of potential homes and their requirements.  Try to spend a little time with your potential new pet outside of the cage in a quiet area.  It is difficult to observe even the best dog under the stressful conditions of a kennel.  Ask the shelter personnel for any history that they have on the dog and of any health history that they might have.
	Breeders:   If you have your heart set on a specific breed, research breeders in your area.  If it is a breed that is less common, you may have to do a little travelling, but it is well worth it to find the right long-term companion!  A good breeder is going to be screening you, be wary if they don't.  "Backyard Breeders" are just trying to make a sale and will sell to just about anyone--if they are in it for the cash, they probably didn't spend much time concerned about the genetics, socialization or health of your pup.  Just saying the the pup has "papers" means next to nothing--look to see that they have a pedigree chart showing the pup's lineage, vet records for both parents and the pups, a clean area, and well socialized dogs.
	Pet Stores: These poor animals come from puppy mills.  Born under horrific conditions, they are then shipped all over the country to be sold to the unsuspecting public.  They are often unhealthy, poorly socialized, poor specimens of the breed.   They are also overpriced.  Even knowledgeable dog people can find it hard to resist these little guys when they go into a pet store, but by buying your dog there you are only serving to aid in the proliferation of these inhumane animal farms.  Even if you beat the odds and got a healthy dog from them, you have still made it easy for puppy mills to thrive.  Do not purchase your pup from a pet store!!
	Rescue Groups:  Rescue groups can be a terrific resource in your search for a dog.   They are composed of volunteers dedicated to the welfare of the breed and they can be a great source of information.  They will normally screen the potential adopter as they want to be sure that the rescued dog is going to the right home and one in which he will live out his days.  The dogs will be required to be neutered.  The groups are honest about the positive and negatives of the prospective dog and will do all they can to ensure a good match.

Some Helpful Links

Thanks to these sites for their great Dog Graphics!: