How to Choose the Right Dog as Your Family Pet

Miniature Pinchers are not the most loving dogs, according to the small card placed in front of the tiny creature sleeping soundly in the pet store. My min-pin, however, is most comfortable sitting in my lap curled in a ball while I rub his ears. Dogs are like humans, no two are alike and generalized pet descriptions are there to provide guidance when choosing a family dog. Before placing faith in a description card, do a little research and hands-on study to find the best pet for your family.

Talk to a veterinarian. A veterinarian is trained in the care of most pets, including dogs. Before buying my miniature pincher, I talked with a local veterinarian about breed-specific habits, care and health problems. I asked him to describe the best min-pin her ever encountered and the worst so I could be prepared for one, the other or a combination of both.

Visit a local pet shelter. Local pet shelters may have not have the specific dog you are looking to add to the family, but chances are the shelter workers and volunteers have encountered the breed. I visited with several miniature breeds and asked plenty of questions about caring for miniatures. Min-pins are not related to the Doberman pincher, but they are closely related to the dachshund and terrier families. I made sure to spend time with both dachshunds and terriers to learn more about the family from which my dog originated.

Adopt a pet to learn more. If the shelter has the breed you want to add to the family, ask to temporarily adopt the pet. Spending two to three weeks with the breed will give you a much better idea of how well the breed fits into the family. If the local shelter does not have your breed, research breed-specific shelters or pet organizations in the area to schedule a play date with a specific breed.

Picture the puppy as an adult. I have always wanted to own a Great Dane puppy, but Great Danes stay puppies for a short while. Full-grown Great Danes can weigh in excess of 160 pounds and require lots of running space. I did not have a fenced in yard so choosing a large, active breed was out of the question. Min-pins require very little outdoor exercise and hate cold weather - just like me. Full-grown min-pins weigh about 12 to 15 pounds, perfect for any size home or apartment.

Is money a deciding factor? Some dog breeds require grooming, special food or potentially expensive health care. The Great Dane, for instance, tends to have intestinal and joint problems that could result in very expensive vet bills. Smaller breeds tend to have fewer health problems and a min-pin is one of the healthiest. We chose to spend more money upfront for a healthier dog breed coming from a certified lineage with few health problems as a trade off for expensive healthcare down the road.

Just because the pet store attendant has fantastic sales pitch does not mean that cute puppy is perfect for your family. Some dogs live 15 to 20 years or more, with only the first year spent as a puppy. Take the time to learn about every aspect of a dog breed before making the final decision.