Once you have decided to get a dog, the obvious question that follows is what kind to purchase? Some people will adopt the first cute mutt available. Others prefer to do some investigating of the 116 different pure breeds and make a careful choice in terms of personal taste, needs, and desires.

Both ways can result in a satisfactory choice, however, the latter has a distinct advantage. When you select a pure bred puppy, you can be fairly certain of what the full grown dog will be like in appearance, size, personality, etc. With a mixed breed, you never can tell.

When trying to select a breed, it might be helpful to go to an American Kennel Club sanctioned all-breed dog show. At such a show, you will have the opportunity to both observe some of the best specimens of each breed and note how the various breeds behave in a stress situation a real bonus if temperament and personality are important to you.

Male or Female Dog?
Generally, a female dog (bitch) is a more affectionate pet. She is often better with children, doesn't tend to wander and is more sedate than the male. She is quieter and cleaner and more easily house broken. Since the female squats to urinate, there is less damage to gardens and furniture. The female comes into season twice a year unless she is spayed (altered). Thus, should your bitch be of breeding quality, you have an opportunity to expand your hobby. The heat period does present added considerations, so if breeding is not desirable, a female may be spayed. A spayed female is really quite perfect for a family pet.

A male (dog) is the more aggressive specimen and should be selected if you want a dog for protective purposes. Males love to roam and are livelier. They lift a leg to urinate, which results in urine burns on bushes, trees, and buildings. They are often more difficult to housebreak and have more frequent "accidents" in the house.

Young males can be problems "sexually." They will often mount and pump on furniture legs, people's legs, and make an embarrassing nuisance of themselves. With training, this form of unacceptable behavior can be stopped. Males do like to roam often in search of a female in heat or just for fun. Since other males are also looking for that female in heat, dog fights may result, thus male dogs are involved in more fights than females. However, the male usually develops into the larger and more impressive animal and, if showing is a main consideration, this must be kept in mind.

Puppy or Grown?
If you are getting a family pet, you naturally want it to build its affection, loyalties, and behavior patterns to please you. Training a puppy is no simple chore, but it is easier than retraining a dog with habits which are unsuitable to you. Your best bet is to get a puppy from eight weeks to six months of age. However, if it is completely impossible for you to be available to train a puppy, and it comes down to choosing between a mature dog or none at all, then try to remember to investigate these points:
Why is this dog being sold?

Is there a health or personality problem? Never be misled into feeling that you can correct a bad situation which the first owner couldn't handle. Naturally, there are circumstances which sometimes make it necessary for a very fine, well-trained and well-adjusted dog to be given away or sold; someone else's misfortune might be your good luck. Before you grab a mature dog, have it checked by your vet, and be sure it is housebroken, as it is quite difficult to housebreak a grown dog.

When acquiring a mature dog, you can tell exactly what you are getting. Beware of either aggressive or timid dogs. These undesirable features are often indicative of neglected animals with little human contact and are very difficult to alter.
Again, your best bet is a puppy.

Large or Small Dog?
The size the dog attains when fully grown is an important consideration. What function will it serve and what accommodations are available? If your dog is to be a true house pet, confined to an apartment or home with a small yard, a toy or small terrier is quite appropriate. The larger breeds and sporting breeds need space in which to run. Unless you can provide such space, don't penalize your dog and yourself by subjecting him to an unsuitable environment.

Small dogs are most appropriate for apartments, small homes, and small yards. They cost very little to feed and, normally, have a longer life span than large dogs. However, if you are getting a dog and have small children you should be aware of the fact that small dogs are fearful of children and rightfully so. They will not tolerate being abused and their response will be either escape or defense. While a larger dog who feels less endangered by the antics of little children will be more tolerant and playful.

A large dog is best suited to living in its own quarters rather than in your home. A friendly wave of the tail by a Saint Bernard can knock over that favorite jar on your coffee table. Now please understand, there are many large dogs living happily in their masters' homes. But, hopefully, they are exceedingly well trained and the mistress of the house is happy with this arrangement.

Long or Short-Haired Dog?
The amount of time and energy you have to devote to your dog's grooming will influence this decision. A long-haired dog needs daily, time consuming grooming. If the environment subjects him to thorns, burrs, thistle and twigs, then your job becomes a more difficult one. Your dog should be appropriate to your life style. For example, a short-legged, longhaired dog would be quite a chore to take care of in a woodsy type setting. Shedding can also be a house keeping problem. Be sure the one who has to keep house has a "say" in this decision.
The climate you live in should also be considered. In a cold climate a short-haired dog might need special apparel. In a very warm climate a heavy, long-haired dog might suffer from the heat.

Cost?
The initial purchase price is only a small fraction of the total cost of dog ownership. Therefore, it would seem to make good sense to get the very best dog you can afford. Over the lifetime of your dog, the $25, $50, or even $100 difference between the breed you really want and perhaps a "cheaper" one won't really make a difference. So get the dog you truly want and feel is right for you. The pleasure you receive from owning the dog you have set your heart on will make it all worthwhile.

The other cost factors to keep in mind are food, grooming, and health. Quantity and quality will give you some idea of the feeding cost. Some owners spend a fortune feeding their tiny dogs choice bits of meat. Some farm dogs get only scraps which cost nothing. Some breeds require special grooming and unless you learn to do this yourself, these regular visits to the canine beauty parlors can be quite an expensive item in your dog budget. Certain breeds are more prone to health problems and thus veterinarian bills can be quite high.

When the dog is first purchased, you'll need to know what point of immunization has been reached. Shots and other procedures which may still have to be handled such as spaying, cropping the ears, and docking the tail should be figured into the cost of the dog.

In calculating your expenses, don't forget you'll need some equipment, and many communities require yearly licenses and yearly rabies shots.

Function and Purpose?
To avoid eventual disappointment, be certain that you have thought out this question carefully and honestly. One dog cannot fulfill an infinite number of roles. Decide the main and most important function you wish your dog to serve and, then, perhaps if you are lucky, you can select a breed that also satisfies some of your minor requirements. For example, you could find a lovable pet that is a good watch dog; a beautiful dog can also be a fine companion and a good sporting dog can often help build responsibility in a boy. However, don't expect one dog to be tops in all areas.

Personality and Characteristics
To a fairly great extent, the personality and characteristics of a pure bred dog can be predicted, so select one that meets your needs. If you desire quiet and peace, you will be quite irritated by a high strung, active, energetic dog. Choose one that enjoys curling up by his master's feet, and one who doesn't bark at each falling leaf. If you want a dog who will run and frisk with you for hours, you will have to pick accordingly. There are breeds that tend to be identified as being more masculine or feminine you may want to consider this in your decision as well. Do you want a friendly companion or a watch dog? Do you want a beautiful dog or an affectionate one? Analyze yourself and choose wisely.

Purchase or Accept as a Gift?
Except for special circumstances, a dog of real quality is rarely given away. So, unless you fully know the situation, always be suspicious of a "gift" puppy or full grown dog. It would be most unusual for someone to be giving away exactly the type and breed of dog which you had carefully chosen. The opposite case is more likely. A dog is being offered it isn't exactly what you wanted but you decide to take it anyway. It can work out. However, more often than not, you are not completely happy, and, deep down, acknowledge that you made a mistake. You may have ended up with a problem dog: who can't be trained, or is deaf, nearly blind, bites children, has serious digestive disturbances, or is a roamer. In other words, your best bet is to purchase the breed and quality you've decided on and avoid so-called gifts.

Pet Quality or Top Quality?
When you are buying a pure bred dog, there will often be an opportunity to purchase a "pet." What this implies is that the breeder feels this animal is an inferior specimen in some way, or does not conform to the breed standards. Perhaps it is small, or the hind legs are cow hocked, or its coat isn't of the proper color or many other reasons. What the breeder is saying is that this dog would probably make a fine house pet but that it should not be bred or shown. So, if you are quite certain that you have no aspirations in the show or breeding line, then do consider getting a pet. A saving of perhaps 25 per cent can be realized by doing this. Often when first purchasing a pure bred dog, one really doesn't know if one will want to show or breed. Once you purchase a dog of pet quality, this decision has already been made for you. Therefore, give careful consideration to the quality you want, and, unless your budget is very tight or your plans are definite, don't settle for anything but the best. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean the highest price it means the best quality. Shop around a little!