If you’ve just made the decision to have a dog, congratulations! It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make in your life, second only to having a baby and getting married! Plus, you can always count on your dog to be far more loyal than partners and kids could be!

Before you go buying, dog beds and other dog toys, first decide what kind of dog you are looking for. Size is a crucial factor. If you want something small that you can carry with you wherever you go and snuggle against, a smaller dog breed would work fine for you. If you’re single however, and want to use your dog as an exercise and jogging partner, a working dog would be the perfect choice. Don’t get a working dog if you don’t have the time to exercise him, though.

Take your lifestyle into consideration. If you’re single, are your ready for all the responsibilities that come with having a new puppy at home? Toilet training, walking and exercising besides regular feeds- a dog can make huge demands on your time.

If you have a family, you’ll need a dog that’s family friendly. Aggressive breeds like Rottweilers are a bad idea, because even if they are fully trained and made to adapt to a family, they tend not to be that comfortable around kids and their noisy games, as other breeds. Choose a dog that’s naturally inclined to kids. Most family dog breeds like Labradors and Golden retrievers fit into this category.

Can you handle the expenses of rearing your dog? Dogs are expensive, and some dogs that need special diets and extra grooming can cut into your budget. Are you ready to fork out cash for vet bills, toys, food, and dog beds? A large dog will need a special elevated dog feeder. An orthopedic dog bed will cost more, but will provide better support for a dog’s spine. Are you ready for all the additional bills that will come in once you have dog in the house?

Finally, do you have enough space for an additional member in your family? If you live in an apartment building, check the building’s rules for pet laws. A house with a yard is best for a dog to bound about.

Now that you’ve decided that a dog is the best choice for you, it’s time to go out and make that choice.

This author lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband and 5 month old daughter and is an expert contributing author for a luxury
dog feeders boutique offering variety of dog beds and orthopedic dog beds.
This author and DogBedSupplies are also dedicated to providing valuable and informative articles on pet health, dog training, crate training, puppy breeds and more.