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When the time comes to find a new dog, there are a few things you could do.  You could go to a pet store and buy that puppy in the window.  Sure that puppy is adorable and would be a great addition to your family, but where did he come from?  Was it born in a puppy mill or from a reputable breeder?  And the price tag, thousands of dollars for a puppy?  That’s crazy, and with the cost of spaying or neutering, shots, and food that puppy sure is going to be expensive.

So let’s talk about the best way to find a new dog to add to your family.  Before picking out a dog, make sure you do your research.  You are not going to go to a car dealership without doing your homework on what make and model car you are interested in, so why would you get a new pet without figuring out what kind you want.  Make sure you compare different dog breeds to find the best dog for your needs.  If you live in an apartment or house with a small back yard, make sure you don’t get a dog that requires a lot of space to run around and play.  Other important features to consider are  if you can deal with shedding, if you have other pets, if the dog gets along with children, and if anyone is allergic to dogs.

Now that you know what kind of dog best suits your personality and lifestyle, it’s time to begin your search.  Check with your local shelter or rescue agency to see what is available, and don’t be put off if it takes a while to find that perfect dog.  I know from personal experience my family looked for a few months, but once we found our new dog it was well worth the wait.

Another misconception is that some dogs are only available through breeders because they are in such high demand.  There is not a single breed that won’t have dogs that need to be adopted.  A lot of rescue agencies specialize in a particular breed or size of dog; so keep doing research and you will eventually find a dog that needs to be rescued.

Finally, make sure you take care of your dog.  Even though that large bag of dog food might be the best price and say it is for “puppies” or “adult dogs” you should still compare dog foods because there are a lot of differences between brands and nutritional value.  Also consider pet insurance because some breeds are more likely to have certain medical conditions as they grow older.  Vet bills can cost thousands of dollars, so insurance could be worthwhile depending on the breed of dog.

So remember to always adopt and do not buy from breeders or pet stores.  4 million cats and dogs are euthanized every year because of over population in shelters, so help save a shelter dog next time you get a pet.

If you want to do a quick comparison of different dog breeds and check out the dogs you already own, you can use this tool to compare the breeds here:

FindTheBest - Find, Compare, Decide Dog Breeds Reference. Compare, reviews & ratings.

 

Guest Writer, Kevin Sloan

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