Are you looking for unconditional love, someone to give you affection, and someone who always wants to play? If you are then you are probably looking for your next pet. A dog makes one of the best pets you can have, as they love to play, shower attention on their owners, and of course love you. When you are choosing your dog you have to be aware of certain issues. There are dog breeds that have certain medical conditions and there are others that are more working dogs than playmates. The following is going to be a few tips on what you need to consider before purchasing your dog.

If you already have a dog breed in mind you may wish to do a little more research before you go pick them up. A lot of animal shelters carry both mutts and dog breeds depending on where they got them. You also have a choice between pet shops and breeders to find the correct dog for you. Every breed is going to have characteristics that may make him or her the best pet or may make you think a little harder. It is very important that you know exactly the type of dog you wish to have before purchasing one.

You need to consider the dog breed's temperament. Some dogs are very social and love to be around strangers, children, and other dogs. Other dog breeds tend to be a little less friendly and need a little training before they will be the best pets. A few suggestions for the friendliest dogs include: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Maltese, Yorkie, Beagle, Basset Hound, Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.

Grooming and dog care are also very important when you are considering a dog. Dogs like the Old English Sheepdog, Akita, Huskies, and German Shepherd are a few dogs that need to have extra care when grooming. All pets need to have water, appropriate food, and time with their owners, however these dogs have special grooming needs. The Old English Sheepdog is just one of the dogs that suffers from medical issues as does the Golden Retriever. When choosing a dog you need to understand the attention and care they will need to make sure you are compatible.

There are different training techniques for the many breeds of dogs. Some dogs require a lot of stimuli during training so they will not become board. Other dogs are extremely patient and very intelligent making training a little easier. German shepherds for example take repetitive training as well as consistency, however they are very intelligent animals. A Affenpinscher may require a bit more attention as they tend to be a little more hyper. They often take a firm hand, and a lot of activity during training to keep them interested.

Depending on the size of dog you are wishing to purchase you need to know if you have a large enough yard, will keep them in the house during the day, or if your flat is large enough. German shepherds, Old English sheepdogs, and huskies require a lot of room to move around a home and have a medium sized yard. They require quite a bit of exercise. On the other hand small dogs such as Yorkies need a smaller yard, home, and exercise to be happy. Of course the more room you have for a pet the better you and the dog will be.

Dogs are wonderful creatures and often you will already know your favorite dog breed long before you enter the pet shop, animal shelter, or speak with a dog breeder. There are of course many details about the dog you will need to know such as care, health, temperament, and characteristics.