Finding the “right” dog means matching the dog to your needs and lifestyle. There is no one breed of dog that is right for everyone; all dogs pose their own challenges and rewards. Matching those to the desires and tolerances of a certain person just takes a little planning and research.

Step 1: Are You Ready For a Dog?
While dog ownership is within the reach of most people who desire it, go down this checklist and make sure you can provide your dog with all these necessities:

• Reason: Friend, companion, playmate, competition partner - these are all good reasons to get a dog. "Because it's cute" is not.
• Room: Dogs need room to play and exercise, even if it's a public park. Active dogs need lots of room. And while large dogs can live in an apartment, the two of you might feel cramped.
• Time: Expect to devote several hours a day to playing with, training, caring for and monitoring a new puppy or dog. And be ready to spend time every day for up to the next 15 years with your dog.
• Money: It doesn't need to be a lot, but you'll have to budget money every month for food, supplies and care. And the one-time "startup costs" for a new puppy can add up.
• Patience: Dogs need to learn, and they're going to make mistakes. It will take a lot of repetition and praise - not anger and scolding.
• Environment: Your home will have to be equipped and prepared. That means getting supplies ahead of time and dog-proofing your home.
• Responsibility: Puppies and dogs need regular interaction and care. You or someone in your family will have to take personal responsibility for your pet's well-being.

Step 2: Choosing a Breed
When you choose a dog, you'll have to decide what traits and qualities are most important to you. If you’re getting a puppy, remember to think long-term - all puppies are cute, but as adult dogs they can be very different.

Learn what breeds most closely match your desires, lifestyle and tolerances. A few considerations:

• Make sure the breed you’re interested in fits the reason you’re getting a dog. A short-nosed toy breed isn’t a good running partner, and a high-energy hunting breed isn’t a good pet if you don’t go outside much.
• Consider purebred or mixed breed. Purebred dogs are a known entity - most dogs of a given breed have similar qualities. Mixed breeds can have desirable qualities from many breeds and often are more affordable.
• Learning rate, dominance level, energy level and grooming needs all impact the amount of time you'll need to spend with your dog.
• Think about how the dog will interact with other people in the house, not just yourself.

Of course, everyone is looking for something different. The best general advice is to think of a dog's traits in terms of how they will affect your life.

Step 3: Adopting Your Dog
For many people, getting a dog means finding one through networks of friends or buying from pet stores or breeders. But you should also consider a local animal shelter or rescue group when you begin your search.
These organizations:

• Are dedicated to preserving and protecting the welfare of animals.
• Have both purebred and mixed-breed dogs.
• Offer hands-on help to new owners.
• Benefit the whole community.