| You are finally entertaining the idea of adding a four | | | | purebred or a mixed breed pup. While choosing a |
| legged member to your family but every member of | | | | purebred seems to be the most predictable option |
| your family wants a different breed of dog. Deciding | | | | (as every purebred pup has their own breed |
| on a breed of dog may seem like a daunting task at | | | | personalities), going with the new "designer breeds" |
| first but here are a few tips to help you when | | | | may be as viable an option as a purebred because |
| making this very important decision. Remember | | | | they are purposely mixed and therefore their |
| patience is key! | | | | temperaments can be predicted almost as perfectly |
| The first step to narrow down your search is to find | | | | as a purebred's temperament. Understand though |
| out whether any member of the household is allergic | | | | that every dog has their own unique personality |
| to fur. If this is the case, then you will have to only | | | | regardless of breed, size or gender and it is wise to |
| entertain breeds with hair such as the yorkshire | | | | interact with your puppy before you purchase him or |
| terrier, maltese, poodle, wheaten terrier, bichon frise, | | | | her. |
| havanese etc. Dogs with hair do not produce as | | | | The fourth step is to determine whether you want |
| much dander as dogs with fur and therefore are less | | | | to buy a puppy or adopt a dog. Ultimately this isa |
| likely to stir up allergies. | | | | choice you will have to make on your own and it will |
| The second step is to understand why every | | | | be based on your own preference. However, the |
| member of the family wants the dog and what they | | | | key question is whether you want a puppy or an |
| would be capable of doing with the dog. Our four | | | | adult dog. If you have young kids, it may be wise to |
| legged friends can be watchdogs, playful companions, | | | | get a young puppy (under 1 year of age) due to the |
| exercise buddies or just simply lapdogs or lazy couch | | | | fact that a puppy is a lot more trainable at this age |
| potatoes (bulldogs anyone?). The main issue you | | | | and has not been exposed to any ill treatment or |
| need to address here is the exercise requirements. If | | | | abuse that would adversely affect the temperament |
| everyone wants a dog to roughhouse with or to | | | | of the puppy. The main concern here is the dog's |
| exercise/play with then you definitely want to steer | | | | personality. |
| towards a more agile and athletic pup. If no one | | | | Other factors that may contribute to a better result |
| wants the responsibility of taking the dog on long | | | | for you and your family are smaller concerns but yet |
| walks or actively entertaining the dog with quality | | | | will help make everyone happier with the new |
| play and exercise time then you want to turn your | | | | addition. These include how much shedding would be |
| focus to dogs that require very little physical | | | | tolerated and how large or small of a dog everyone |
| exercise. | | | | would be able to handle. |
| The third step is to decide whether you want a | | | | |