choosing the right puppy

Im sure that there is a few websites that you can go to, and fillout all your details and it comes back with a list of dog breeds that would suit your lifestyle. Petnet I think is one, do a search, Im sure that you will find some great information. Good Luck.

if you are only looking for a dog which eventually shall be considered as a member of the family, get hold of the small types of dogs. a docile puppy is what you will want to have. ask the pet shop for one that suits your requirements. small types are the ones which you can count on to be friendly. i think that it will be wise for you to wait for a little while until your baby is a toddler.

I will basically go by temperament, I want an active but not too timid dog...

I don't recommend my method, but all of my dogs, except for the time I bred Samoyeds, have been the result of someone having an unwanted puppy that needed a home. My Lily, the Springer Spaniel cross that currently rules my life, was abandoned at the home of an elderly cousin who couldn't keep her ten years ago. I also have a Lab that an acquaintance accepted without thinking about it beforehand, and she soon realized that her 14 hour work days seven days a week in combination with a growing puppy were not a good idea. Both dogs have worked out well here, though, and so have all the other dogs that came here needing a home.

Talk to someone who has worked with many breeds- and will be able to tell you the good/bad about them. Some breeders/pet stores will simply tell you everything you want to hear in order to sell you a puppy- not all are like that, but you may have a hard time figuring out who is telling the truth and who is just trying to sell a dog.

My friends like dogs and have so many collection of dogs, she recommends of choosing the kind of dog with small breads only..dogs that dont grow bigger like golden retriever..

It sounds like you have already given it some thought. Don't get too carried away by those puppy dog eyes and make sure you do get one that will fit in with your family or it will be hard to have to change later. I thought all dogs would 'play fetch' but they don't - although it might just be temperament rather than breed of dog. I always wanted a cocker spaniel and my husband agreed so we just looked for the closest breeder of those that had one ready when we wanted it. We were lucky really as he is wonderful. Twelve years old now. Good luck with whichever you choose. Remember dogs are for life not just for Christmas.

What I'd do is write down everything you are looking for in a dog. . size, exercise requirements, coat length, etc. Make a little list. Then go to http://www.akc.org and look at all the breed descriptions to narrow it down to a couple breeds you are interested in. Then visit each breed's breed club or rescue site for more information about actually buying a puppy. If your young children are going to be very rough on a puppy, maybe consider rescuing an older dog. A lot of times puppies that are mishandled can grow up to be a little snippy. An older dog may tolerate rough hands a little better.

Hello, I am a fellow dog lover and have been thinking of this same question! Yes a puppy is going to be cute and pull at your heart strings, but how do you know which one is the right fit for your family? I would think about the size of the dog and know what it's potential weight/size will be when fully grown. Also think about shedding, amount the dog will eat / eliminate. These are all things to consider when choosing a dog. Best of all, you can go to an animal shelter once you've decided on the kind of puppy you want, and save his life! I hope this helps. There are lots of sites out there that give specific info on each breed.