I don't know about you, but I have certainly been struck with "puppy love". Looking into dancing eyes that say "Take me home and love me forever" and I have to admit that I have made the mistake of purchasing the wrong puppy.

What? How could that be? Don't get me wrong. There was nothing wrong with the dog, he was a great little guy. However, the wrong dog for that particular time in our life and my family's life style.

So here are a few things to consider when choosing a puppy that will fit your personal life style.

What is your life style? Are you active and enjoy the outdoors? Do you like to camp, hunt, hike, bike? Do you enjoy long walks? Large breeds, herding and working breeds all require regular exercise to maintain healthy joints, weight and spirits. They love their exercise and a lack of activity can cause them to age prematurely, even suffer depression

Are you single, a couple or a family? There are various breeds that attach to one principal master, Poodles and Chihuahuas for example. But other breeds like Collies and Retrievers adapt well to the whole family.

Do you work full time? Will the puppy be left unattended? If you do have to leave your puppy alone, it is a good idea to consider having a pair of puppy pals. They will keep each other company. Research the breed that you are interested in. Some breeds are better alone than others. I have a Golden Retriever who is very sensitive and suffers from separation anxiety is he is left alone for an unusually long period of time.

Do you like to travel? Do you travel often? Would you like to take you puppy with you? If this is a priority for you then you want to consider the airline travel restrictions of travelers with pets. Each airline carrier is different but most stipulate that the pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of you and is limited in size to 23"long x 13" wide x 9" high. They limit acceptable pets to cats and dogs under 20 lbs.

Traveling with pets from cargo is offered on a limited basis with most airlines. Due to the limited number of temperature controlled cargo hulls, scheduling can be very challenging. For the safety of your pet the window of opportunity to fly safely with your pet is restricted to the following:

Heat Restrictions: Pets may not be accepted when the current or fore-casted temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cold Restrictions: Pets may not be accepted when the current ground temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

American Airlines does not allow cabin pets to travel to Hawaii. So if you are a frequent traveller then you may want to keep these guidelines in mind.

A list of comprehensive questions can go on and on. But here is a final tip to help you identify the personality of your puppy regardless of the breed you choose.

When choosing a puppy, turn the puppy on his back and hold him in place with one hand for a minute. The submissive/passive puppy will not struggle to right himself. The moderate pup will struggle for a moment and then relax but the dominate alpha dog will continue to struggle until you release him.

The choices are endless for puppies that will love you forever, but take your time and make your selection based on your personal lifestyle. Try to avoid being mesmerized by those beautiful puppy eyes. You will both ultimately be so much happier.