[TrishB]

Wonderful Post!! :D

In my previous career within the veterinary industry, I offered "Breed Selection Consultations". I would have them fill out a questionairre and sit and chat with the family (the whole family).

I would explain the importance of understanding the breed that they got, and the type of lifestyles they lead (honestly).

Someone who was a couch potato wanted a Siberian Husky - WRONG! Unless they wanted to lose their prized couch of course!! ;)

A super-outdoorsey couple wanted a little bichon. NOT!! Unless they wanted to take the dog to the groomers every Monday to take out the burrs and muck the dog had in it's coat.

It isn't fair to believe that just because it's 'cute' that it will fit into your family.

Here are some questions people should answer before getting ANY breed of dog. Your answers will tell you if the breed you are interested in will fit into your lifestyle.

1) Do you want a small ( >20lbs), medium (20 > 45lbs) or large breed (45lbs<80lbs) Giant (80lbs <)?

2) Do you like grooming?

3) How active are you on a regular basis (weekdays would be best - weekends are misleading)?

4) Would you want to take the dog with you where ever you go?

5) What is your #1 reason for wanting a dog?

6) Are there children in your household? Please include ages.

7) Will the dog be exposed to many people on a regular basis?

8) What other experiences have you had with dogs (ownership)? What about the other members of your household?

9) Are you prepared for the expense of having a dog? The first year of a puppy's life is the most expensive.

10) Are there other animals in the household?

11) What are some things that you DON'T like about other people's dogs?

12) Are you ready to commit time and effort to finding the dog?

13) Have you ever trained a puppy or a full grown dog before?

14) Are there specific activities you'd like to have your dog involved in? (frisbee, fly ball, hiking, swimming, etc.)

15) Where would the dog live? In the house? Apartment? Only in the yard?

16) If you have a preference for a particular breed, have you done any research?

17) Are you prepared to take your puppy to obedience training? Are you aware that this may continue well into adulthood?

The dog breeds of today have been bred to be a certain way for years, some hundreds, some thousands of years! It isn't fair to ask them to be anything than what they are. Be honest with yourself - for both your dogs and your own sake.