The first step to picking out a dog is to understand your needs. Do you love hiking, running and being outdoors, or would you rather lie around on the couch? Should you get a puppy or an older dog? What breed of dog is going to mesh with your lifestyle? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered before you should even think about getting a dog.

The next step is deciding whether to buy a dog from a breeder or to rescue a dog from a shelter. I’m just going to come out and say that unless you are looking for a very specific breed, the local shelter or animal rescue group is the best place to find a dog. There are between 6 to 8 million animals dropped off at shelters every year and nearly half of those are euthanized.  So, not only do you get to bring home a family pet, but you get to save a life.  Plus, the fees for adopting are considerably less than the cost of purchasing a purebred dog (around $100 versus $800 to $2,000.)

Alright, so you’re at the shelter. Kennel after kennel is filled with wagging tails and happy, smiling doggie faces. Now, do you get a puppy or an adult dog? Everyone loves a fluffy, wiggly puppy with their propensity to give kisses and that cute puppy breath. On the other hand, they take a lot (A LOT) more work. Will you be home to let them out every few hours? Do you have time to watch their every move? It’s basically like having a baby…a baby that pees on the floor and chews up your stuff. Now, don’t get me wrong, if I could spend my day rolling on the ground with a litter of playful puppies, I totally would, but they do take more training and more attention.  That’s why adopting an adult dog is something I highly recommend, especially for first time dog owners. They generally come potty trained and are usually past their teething/chewing phase.

If you’ve decided to adopt an adult dog, the next step is finding the best one for you. Think about size first. Maybe it’s not an issue for you at all, but if you want to bring your dog hiking, stay away from tiny Chihuahuas, and if you live in a one bedroom apartment, a giant Newfoundland is probably not going to work.

Next, consider temperament. If you find a dog you think you may like, get in the kennel or ask to take it to a private play area. A good family dog will probably be interested in you and at least look in your direction if you call it in a friendly voice. Try giving the dog a hug and see how it reacts. A dog that is constantly pulling away from you may be really hyper or may not be used to being around people and could require additional training. Touch the dog all over to see if it seems skittish about anything. In general, shelters will check a dog’s health and temperament, but there is obviously a huge range for how a dog is going to act around people and other pets.

Now comes the hardest part…picking that one dog to bring home. Think about it carefully, talk it over with loved ones and then go for it! Fill out the adoption application, pay any fees, go out and buy some supplies and you’ll be ready to go! Good luck and have a great time with your new best friend!