First, how much available space do you have for your dog? Do you live in an apartment? If so, you should rule out the larger dog breeds. Look for smaller dog breeds such as Terriers or maybe a Miniature Schnauzer.

Children are another consideration. Small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas are very small and delicate and can easily be hurt by young children. But in the same turn you don’t want a large breed dog that will end up knocking over your child and bumping into him. If this is the case, a medium dog breed would be your best option such as a Fox Terrier, Lhasa Apso or maybe even a Labrador.

Next how much exercise will your dog be able to receive? Do you have a fenced in yard that will allow your dog to get his own exercise? Some dog breeds require more exercise then others while other breeds are mild and calm and don’t require much to be happy and healthy.

And we can’t forget your dog’s grooming needs. There are some breeds that only require a half hour of grooming per week, while other breeds need grooming daily. If you don’t have the want or the time to spend grooming a dog daily, steer clear of breeds such as the Maltese. While Boston Terriers make a good choice with little grooming needs.

When you narrow down which dog breed you think will make a good fit for you and your family age is the next concern. Do you want a puppy or do you want a dog that is a couple years old and past the training stage but still young? The options are endless there are literally hundreds of different dog breeds of all different sizes, ages, colors and temperament. Take the time to do a little research so you know what you will be getting yourself into with your new loveable pet.