Instructions
Check out the American Kennel Club's descriptions of all the dog breeds and varieties. The website AKC.org has a complete list of breeds and varieties it recognizes, with descriptions of size, personality, temperament, grooming requirements, compatibility with children, trainability, exercise requirements, health concerns, life expectancy and grooming requirements.
Use internet-based breed selector programs. Several sites are available, including one sponsored by Animal Planet, that will ask you a variety of questions to best determine your requirements. Once you answer the questions, the selector will give you a few choices of breeds that will be most compatible with your your lifestyle.
Narrow the field to a few breeds that meet your requirements. Are you a couch potato? You probably won't want a border collie or other breed that requires a job to do and tons of exercise. Hate hair on your furniture? A Newfoundland, which weigh 150 pounds and sheds by the bagful, probably is not for you. Are you a first-time dog owner? You probably don't want a rottweiler or other breed that requires a strong, experienced owner. Do you have kids? Many small breeds are fear-biters and don't mix well with small children. Don't pick a dog by the way it looks. Personality, trainability, temperament, living requirements and suitability to your lifestyle are much more important.
Visit breeders. Once you've found a breed that you feel might suit your needs and fit with your lifestyle, visit local breeders -- the AKC lists them -- to see their dogs. Ask to interact with their adult dogs and see how they behave with you and the rest of your family. Don't rush to see puppies. You also can find breeders at conformation, agility and other dog shows.
Visit local animal shelters. Use your research to determine compatible breed types, thensee if the shelter to has a dog available that meets your requirements. It's a good idea to have education about breed temperaments, even when selecting a mixed breed dog. Most will display the temperament of the dominant breed in the dog's background.
Contact breed rescue organizations. If you have decided on a specific breed, you often can find purebred rescue dogs with them. Most breed rescues are run by reputable breeders and lovers of that particular breed, and so they can be very helpful in guiding you to a dog that will be most compatible with you and your family.
How to Choose a Dog Breed to Suit Your Family
Choosing the right breed of dog to bring into your family is as important as making the decision to get a dog in the first place. The American Kennel Club currently recognizes 167 breeds, each with its own distinct temperament, personality, activity level, grooming requirements, health concerns and other considerations. Knowing the basics about a particular breed can help you determine if it is likely to fit into your lifestyle. Adding a dog to your household is a huge commitment, so researching different dogs to find those most compatible with your family is critical to a successful dog/human relationship.