Consider living space: Small apartment or house? Enough room for a large dog? Backyard for exercise? Large breeds face physical ailments, while small breeds are vulnerable to accidents and cold.
Consider your schedule: Puppy training time? Exercise for high-energy dogs? Independent, senior dog for alone time? Find the right match for your lifestyle.
Find a dog that matches your activity level. Active lifestyle? High-energy dog. Prefer leisurely strolls? Low-energy dog. Choose a dog whose needs align with yours.
Choose a compatible dog breed based on traits. AKC recognizes 7 breed groups. Hypoallergenic poodles for allergies. Mixed breeds offer ideal traits. Beware health issues in purebred bulldogs and pugs.
Dog's personality changes with age. Adults are housetrained, calmer. Older dogs have known history, less gamble. Consider compatibility with children.
Breeder: known story. Shelter: unclear history. Past affects personality. Bad history doesn't exclude a perfect dog, but effort is needed.