A pet is for life so you should be putting a lot of thought into what kind of pet will go along with your lifestyle, your temperament, your needs and the dog's needs as well.

       With regard to your lifestyle, if you work 8-5  who will let your dog out during the day? Will you come home at lunchtime and walk your dog? Will you have a doggie door installed at your house so the dog can let him or herself out to answer nature's call?  It is not easy organizing your life around your dog's needs but it must be done.

         If you get a dog that needs a lot of exercise you will need to schedule your day around that as well. And if you have a huge dog that needs a lot of space you may need to move to an acreage. You cannot have enough space in a 2 bedroom condo for a large dog to run around.

       You must consider what kind of temperament the dog has and whether it will match with yours.  A dog's temperament has a lot to do with how you will train and raise the dog but do consider temperament when you get the dog.

        You must also consider whether the dog is a barker or relatively quiet....A guard dog needs to bark to communicate with you and you must be astute in order to learn what the dog is saying to you. Not all dogs bark a lot but they all do communicate their needs.  You have to be committed to learning your dog's cues and language. 

       Dogs are wonderful for companionship and make great bed warmers. Having had two rescue dogs in my life, I know that rescuing a dog, getting a dog from the shelter or from a rescue organization means giving that dog a home for life. They settle in and they become family.