Dogs make awesome companions.
If you look after them properly, they can provide years of fun and enjoyment for your family and friends alike.
But with such a huge variety of breeds and cross breeds with different sizes, needs, and energy levels, choosing the right dog for your lifestyle can be a daunting task.
First and foremost, you have to be ready for owning a dog, and understand the costs involved in dog ownership - both monetary and in time.
Purchasing a large pet such as a dog should not be an impulse decision! When making your decision, one of the largest factors is the amount of space you have available in your home and yard to accommodate your dog.
A large dog generally requires a lot of space, and will go practically insane when constantly cooped up in a small space - not to mention it will probably start destroying your things! Another often overlooked factor is the size of the dogs tail.
Believe it or not, dogs need room to wag their tail to avoid common tail injuries or damage to household items.
A larger dog is also more expensive to cater for with food, supplies and medical treatment.
Small dogs, on the other hand, tend to be delicate and fragile and are injured easily through mishandling or getting stepped on.
This can often happen with small children.
You may initially think a small dog would be better around the kids, but your dog may not think the same way.
These smaller dogs can often have a greater sensitivity to temperature, meaning they need to be kept warm during the colder months.
Training is more common among small breeds to prevent the development of an attitude later in their lives.
In addition to their size, the living area a dog requires is largely determined by their energy level.
Usually this is determined by their breed, but this is not the only factor.
Regardless of the breed, exercise is a requirement for all dogs.
You need to be able to provide this - whether it be regular walks if you only have a small yard, or playing around with it in a larger yard.
Of course if your dog has naturally lower energy levels, you can get away with less.
Remember that most behaviour problems in dogs are due to an excess in energy and can often be aided with more exercise and attention.
If you have ever sat in a car with someone who owns a shedder and often drives it around, you know just how much hair they can drop.
Many short haired dogs have this problem, so be prepared for some extra cleaning if you let them in the house.
Longer haired dogs need more regular grooming, which can reduce shredding.
These are all things which you need to be aware of when choosing your dog breed.
If in doubt, ask someone in the know about the specific needs of a certain dog breed.
Never make an impulse purchase on a dog as you do not know what you are getting yourself in for, and you may run into some serious problems down the track.