You’ve considered all the time, costs, & responsibilities of adding a new family member. Now it’s time to decide what kind of dog will suit you and your family.

First lets consider your lifestyle

• Small children and the elderly – If you have small children or elderly living in the home you should consider the size and energy level of your dog. Puppies are usually very active and large or rambunctious dogs could accidentally knock over or harm a small child or an adult who's unsteady on their feet.
• Home environment - If a neat, tidy home, free of animal hair is important you may decide on a dog that has minimal shedding.
• Other animals in the home – Consider the adjustment of the pets you already have. While your cat might love to have an animal friend to play with, a pet that has had exclusive access to your attentions may resent sharing you.
• Landscaping – Many dogs will be tempted to dig holes in your lawn, and dog urine can leave yellow patches.
• Time - Perhaps most important thing to keep in mind is that you’ll be making a commitment that will last the lifetime of your dog, perhaps 10, 15, or 20 years.

 What size dog fits your lifestyle?

You may think that a smaller dog would be happier than a larger one in an apartment or a condo without a yard but that isn’t necessarily true. All dogs need daily outdoor exercise, but some need more than others. For example, a tiny terrier can be extremely rambunctious and needs lots of outdoor activity while the massive Newfoundland prefers lounging around and taking leisurely walks.

Puppy or mature dog?

Puppies may be adorable, but they require more time and attention for housetraining and behavior training, which may include patiently tolerating “accidents” and a chewing phase. If you don’t have time to meet a puppy’s needs or prefer not to deal with training you may decide to adopt an older dog. Also, small children in your family may not have the patience or ability to manage a puppy’s enthusiasm.

There are over 150 different types of purebred dogs, and an even larger number of mixed breeds. A good start would be to hang around dog parks and talk to other dog owners.  IAMS has a really helpful Dog Bread Selector tool to help you find your perfect match.