Acquiring a dog of any age is a large decision - and it should involve a carefully thought-out plan before the dog arrives into your household.

How do you choose the Perfect Dog?

This depends upon your lifestyle, your family life and your past experience of working with dogs.

Dogs are as individualistic as people. Some are social butterflies and happily interact with anyone; other dogs are reserved, only enjoying contact with selected individuals and tolerating the presence of other people.

I strongly recommend to anyone considering a new dog, whether from a breeder or from a shelter/rescue organization to do their homework first before getting a dog.

A few things to consider:

1. Research the breeder or adoption group.

*Does the breeder or adoption group offer to take the dog back at any time, if things do not work out?
*If purchasing from a breeder, what lines (working/conformation/sport competition) does the breeder use in his/her breeding program? If you are looking for a quiet canine companion, a puppy from working or competition lines may be more dog than you are capable of training.
*Does the adoption or rescue group temperament test their dogs?

2. Research breed and group characteristics.

Whether your future dog is purebred or All-American,learn what are the traits common to the breed and Breed Group.

3. Dogs are individuals.

Don't use beauty as the qualifier for selecting a 'good dog'. A stable temperament suitable to your life and family should be your primary consideration.

4. Buy Local.

Looking for a purebred? Contact local or the national breed club to find breeders within driving distance to your home.
Thinking of adopting a rescue? Do an internet search for shelters and rescues near you - then go and look at dogs.

The Internet can be a terrific source for information but when purchasing a live animal, I strongly recommend making the physical effort to actually go to visit and spend some time with the animal.

The chemistry between you and the dog should feel right; after all, you should be thinking long term relationship. You want to make sure that this dog matches with you emotionally, mentally and physically. The majority of people when thinking of adopting a rescue are considering a family companion, not a Master's thesis in Behavioral Modification.

5. If you are a first time dog owner or are unsure about what you should look for in a dog, seek out a qualified professional.

*What are your future goals for this dog; family companion, working, or competition?
*Do you know what traits are important to consider in your future prospect?
Puppy and adult dog temperament tests are not cast in stone, but they do reveal a great deal about the individual dog. Especially for families with children under the age of 12, a temperament evaluation should be considered a priority when selecting the dog or puppy.

Hopefully you have found this information helpful. If you have further questions, contact me for more information.

Educational Services offered

Puppy Owner Education
Bring a Rescue into your life
Puppy/Adult dog temperament evaluations
Working/Competition Dog evaluations
Managing Multi-dog household.