Puppy Love: Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family

We've had our dog for about three months now. Though we didn't go through all the potty training, and whining and whimpering that comes with a puppy, being a "teen" dog, we are still getting some of the "destructive" phase.
There isn't much that Turbine won't chew. 

My husband and I put a lot of thought into what kind of dog we wanted for our family. Being a previous dog owner, I knew what to expect from raising a puppy, and had a pretty good idea on what kind of dog I wanted.
My husband, however, needed to figure it out still. In our quest for the perfect family dog:  one that was good for kids and cats, we surfed the web, looking for any information we could find.  Here's what to consider:

Know what you want and expect from a dog, and research dog breeds to find one that closest fits your ideal.
First look at you:  Do you want a dog that will go on long-distance runs with you? Or a dog that will sit on your lap at the end of the day?  How big is your home? Do you have a yard and what size? Are you in an apartment or rental? There are good and bad breeds for such lifestyles. Also make sure you are familiar with how your landlord feels about pets and whether there are fees involved in owning a pet. What is your lifestyle like? Are you home a lot or always on the go? Do you have small children? Are you prepared for the time and frustration involved in training a puppy? It is much like having a new baby, requiring attention all hours of the day for the first 4-6 months.  Have a family meeting to discuss all the responsibility involved. Make sure everyone is on board to help with whatever necessary to make the pet a part of your family.

When looking at the different breeds, check into the details such as:  how much exercise will the animal require? How much grooming? How much food? Are there allergies or health risks related to the breed that will require special medication or diet? Most breeds have a specific temperament. The gender of the dog also affects this.

Be familiar with the costs involved. We knew there were adoption fees, and the general needs such as food, bed and toys.  But there may also be shots and spaying/neutering, licensing, training classes, leashes, crates, and dog runs necessary to make a healthy home for your pet.  Plan on making a fairly large investment into your pet initially, and then extra expense such as treats, bones and toys in the future. The pet business is a big business. There is lots to choose from and buy to pamper your pooch. Not everything out there is essential, but do make life a little easier for you and your pet.

Talk to other people when looking at breeds and see what kind of issues they may have had, and how everyone adjusted.  Especially if they have children. They also may be able to connect you with breeders, shelters or owners who've had litters.  You may want to check into a rescue dog, or shelters.
Some sites I found useful in our hunt were:
About.com: dogs
Petfinder.com
Petplace.com

If you want a shelter dog the Kansas Humane Society has their dogs with pictures posted live on their website. If you haven't seen the new facility it is worth the trip over to check it out, and maybe visit with a couple of breeds to see which you feel is right for you.

Doing the right research for the right dog is worth the time and energy it takes.  The right dog will become a member of your family that will be around, hopefully, for a long time.