How Do I Find the Right Dog ?

How do I find the right dog ? That was the first question I had when I began researching what breed might fit into my lifestyle. If you are even thinking about getting a dog, that should be your first question also. Deciding on what breed is the right fit for you is the first step in gathering all your information. The more research you do, the better off you will be. You really can't research enough. There are many factors to consider when deciding on what breed is best for you. The most important being temperament. Since the dog will be living with you for a long time, you need to make sure that his personality will agree with yours. For instance, do you want a dog that is friendly towards everyone he meets, or more loyal to family and less friendly to strangers? Do you spend a lot of time away from home ? Then a companion dog might not be the breed for you, as they tend to be extremely dedicated to their family, and they want to be near them all the time. Some companion breeds are more needy than others. Some are Velcro dogs that will follow you from room to room ! Not everyone wants a clingy dog. In that case, you need to consider a dog that is more independent, and one that doesn't mind being left alone. Do you want a dog that requires a lot of exercise, or a lap dog that needs very little ? Other issues to consider are size. Most puppies are so cute when they are small, some people don't think about how big or small it may be when it is full grown. If you live in a small apartment, then a Great Dane might not be the right dog for you. A smaller dog might be more suited for an apartment lifestyle.

Grooming is very important. If you don't have time to comb out a long haired dog every night, then it's best to go with a short haired dog. If you have allergies, then consider a dog that sheds very little.

Make a checklist of characteristics you are looking for, and then begin researching breeds.The best place to begin your research, is by visiting http://dogtime.com/

Dogtime.com is a website that helps find the right breed for you. They have a wealth of information on one site, that will help match you with the right breed. You can go to to breed center and read about every breed. They even have several quizzes you can take . The first quiz they have is "Am I ready for a dog ?"

Dogtime.com also has a one-of-a-kind matchmaking service, where you take this quiz, and they tell you which breed best suits you. I had my friend who is "not a dog person" take it, and they told her she was best suited for a goldfish ! It works ! They also feature information about your new puppy and then life with your dog, as well as the older dog.

Your fist stop however, should be the Breed Center at dogtime.com. This is where you can learn about all the breed groups: companion, herding, hounds, hybrid,mixed, sporting, terriers and working dogs.

You can also search breeds by characteristics, for example easy to groom, heat tolerance, tendency to bark or howl, etc. After you have decided what breed best suits you, they even help you find a dog in your area.

Dogtime.com has the Dunbar Training Center where you can learn effective, reward-based training techniques with Ian and Kelly Dunbar, two of the world's leading behavior and training experts. They teach you how to have a well behaved trained dog, beginning with House training 101. Then they move on to how to raise a friendly dog, teaching your dog to be alone, how to prevent your dog from chewing and finally training for basic obedience.

The mission of DogTime is to keep dogs out of shelters, and giving either new or even experienced owners all the information they would ever need about their dog. Dogtime.com has all the information you are looking for, all in one place, and the perfect place to start research for the right dog for you.