Congratulations on making the exciting decision to bring a puppy or dog into your home. Whether your new addition will be your first dog or another in a long line of family pets, we’re here to guide you along the process of picking the best dog for your individual personality and lifestyle.
Getting a dog from a breeder isn’t your only option when bringing home a new pet. You can also find a purebred or rescued dog through the AKC Rescue Network, as well as older dogs in rescues.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Here are just a few questions to ask yourself when determining which dog is the best fit for your lifestyle. Keep in mind that a prospective breeder may ask you these questions when deciding if your home is right for one of their puppies, so it may be helpful to jot your answers down.
Are you an active person or more laid-back? (These are some of the best dogs for active people.) Do you have children or plan to have children? (These are some of the best dogs for kids.) Do you have the income to pay for vet visits (unexpected ones in addition to regular examinations and shots), pet insurance (if you choose to buy it), dog food, supplies, and more? How much time do you have to socialize and train a new puppy? How long are you away from home each day? How often do you take business trips and vacations, and what are your plans for the dog during these times?
Consider Your Expectations
Now, think about what you’re looking for in a dog.
Do you prefer large dogs or small dogs? Contrary to popular belief, your living situation doesn’t necessarily have to dictate this answer. Even apartment dwellers can easily share their home with some larger dog breeds. As long as the dog’s exercise needs are met (through long walks, trips to the dog run, and activity sessions), the dog’s living area doesn’t necessarily have to be a certain size. How much time can you commit to grooming a dog (and how concerned are you about shedding)? Also, do you have allergies? Are you looking for a dog for a specific activity (such as hiking, agility, or running)? ©Dogs – stock.adobe.com
Once you’ve answered these and the above questions, you should be able to narrow down your choices significantly. For instance, if you are looking for a dog that matches your very active lifestyle and are interested in trying agility, you might select a Border Collie. If you prefer a smaller breed but have the same interests, you might instead go for a Papillon. And if you want a family-friendly dog that needs moderate exercise and little grooming (but you don’t mind shedding), you may want a Labrador Retriever. Use the AKC’s “Find a Match” feature for help selecting a breed.
Learn About the Breed
After you get an idea of what breed of dog you may be looking for, learn everything you can about that type of dog. By purchasing a puppy from a responsible breeder, you’ll have a bit of predictability in temperament, size, and grooming needs. Although each dog is different, this information can be valuable in making the best determination if a breed is right for your lifestyle and needs. Here are just a few ways you can learn about individual breeds:
On the American Kennel Club website. By reading the breed pages for each breed, you can learn about a dog’s history, personality, grooming and exercise needs, and more. Follow the AKC on Facebook to see featured breeds of the day and learn more about each breed from the people who know and love them best. Through the breed clubs. Each breed has an AKC-affiliated club, made up of breeders and fanciers who have years of experience in a particular dog breed. Many clubs offer information on the dog breed’s personality on their website. But if you need more information, club members’ contact information is easily available, and members are always willing to answer questions about the breed they are so passionate about. The AKC breed pages will also have links to the breed’s club page. At a dog show. Watching a dog show on television will provide you with a wealth of information on a dog, but it’s even better if you can make it out to one in person. Visit the AKC’s events page to find upcoming dog shows in your area. To learn about a specific breed, go to a Conformation show, but if you are looking for a breed in a particular sport (like Agility), watching a competition might give you a good idea of what to look for. Just remember that no matter what type of show you’re watching, it’s best to wait until the competitors have finished in the ring before asking them for advice, and never pet a show dog without asking first. At an AKC Meet the Breeds event. Throughout the year, cities host AKC Meet the Breeds events, with over 100 dog breeds in attendance. At these shows, you can meet, pet, and play with dogs of all kinds of breeds. You can also ask questions of breed experts and breeders, regarding the dog’s temperament, grooming, etc. You might even connect with the breeder of your future dog! In the AKC New Complete Dog Book. Nearly all of the 200 AKC-recognized breeds have a dedicated section in this 992-page hardcover book. “The New Complete Dog Book: Official Breed Standards and Profiles for Over 200 Breeds” is coined “American Kennel Club’s Bible of Dogs,” complete with full-color photos, information on grooming and exercise, breed histories, and more.
Picking a Purebred Puppy
If you’re in the market for a purebred puppy, you’ve come to the right place! You likely have a breed in mind already, but there are so many breeds recognized by the AKC, so you might want to expand your search either way. Every dog is different, so it’s necessary to do your research and pinpoint your own expectations so that you and your puppy can have a lifetime of success.
Find the Right Breeder
If you’re confident you’re ready for a new puppy, have selected the right breed for you, and did all of your research, the next step is finding a responsible breeder to sell you a puppy. You should be able to visit the puppies before they are ready to come home (at 8 to 12 weeks of age) and meet at least one of the parents, either in person or virtually.
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You can start by visiting AKC Marketplace, which will allow you to search for trusted, responsible breeders near you and help you connect with someone who might have your future dog!
Ask Your Breeder Questions
Once you’ve found your breeder, talk openly with them about your expectations for a dog. Your breeder will have experience in predicting a dog’s temperament and can help you pick the best one from the litter for your needs. Also, the breeder will give you advice on socializing and training your puppy, as well as their exercise needs, to ensure that your grown dog is exactly what you had hoped for in a family pet.
Picking a Rescue or Older Dog
One of the biggest benefits of responsibly bred dogs is that they are predictable. While many families, especially those with children, prefer to purchase a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder who has health- and temperament-tested their dogs, some prospective dog owners may decide an older dog is the best fit. When picking an older dog, it’s still important to consider your lifestyle and your expectations of a pet as outlined above, then discussing these factors with the dog’s organization.
The first step in deciding if you want to rescue a dog is to consider your circumstances. What kind of dog are you looking for? Will your dog be around children? How much time/money do you have to dedicate to training and medical expenses?
Finding the Right Rescue Group
If you’re looking for a purebred rescued dog, the AKC Rescue Network is the largest network of dog rescues in the United States. Many AKC breed clubs rescue dogs of the breed and devote time and resources to doing so.
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Many breed clubs, like the Bulldog Club of America, handle breed rescue directly, while other clubs, like the Golden Retriever Club of America, provide resources such as coordination, online listings, fundraising, and grants to dozens of local breed rescue organizations. Be cautious of rescue organizations charging high “adoption fees” or selling rescued dogs over the Internet.
Learn About the Dog
Mixed-breed dogs can be less predictable in terms of temperament, but by spending time visiting with the dog or speaking with the organization’s employees or those fostering the dog, you can get a better sense of how well the dog will fit into your home.
