So, you've thought about the kind of dog you want based on the way you and your family live. Now, how do you go about finding that dog? As you begin your search you'll find you have plenty of options. As when you shop for anything, though, some are sounder than others. Read on before making a too-hasty decision.

From a Breeder

If you've decided on a purebred puppy, consider buying your dog from a breeder. These folks are passionate about their breed!

You may think this is like asking a Chevrolet salesman if he himself would buy a Chevrolet. What do you think he's going to tell you? “Oh, no, I think you're much more a Honda type. Honda's down the road.” Not likely. But if you get a good breeder, she may indeed tell you just that.

Breeders will interview you, too, which will help you decide if the breed is truly right for you. A breeder may ask you how often you like to go hiking, say, or how often you travel. You may realize you're not the sportsperson you thought you were, or that your schedule is tighter than you thought. Then again, you may be relieved to hear that a breed you thought was too active actually doesn't need as much exercise as you thought, and the breeder has helped you figure out how to fit in a good workout for the dog without compromising your daily habits.

Another great thing about talking to breeders is that you will get a good sense of who you want to get your puppy (or older dog) from. The person who's especially helpful, or with whom you “click,” or whose dogs seem the most well-behaved and mellow of the lot you've spoken with — this is the person from whom you want to acquire your new family member. You should feel comfortable calling your breeder at any time during your dog's life to ask him about any kind of problems you're having. If your pup's chewing is getting out of control, if housetraining isn't working, or if your adult dog suddenly goes lame, it's nice to know there's someone you can call who not only knows the breed, but knows your dog personally.

A responsible breeder will tell you all about your potential puppy's or older dog's past — what the parents and siblings are like, whether there's working stock in the bloodlines, what kind of traits she's been breeding away from (or for), particular health problems to look out for, and much more. In fact, a breeder who doesn't want to inform you of all these things, particularly health records for breeds prone to hip dysplasia or other genetic conditions, is one to stay away from — she's probably got something to hide.

Be advised, though: there are plenty of breeders who don't ask the tough questions. There are many who don't have any scruples at all. That's why it's important to find a reputable breeder whom you can trust. Many breeders are willing to take the time to ask you the right questions. If they don't, you should wonder how much care they take in breeding their dogs.

From Purebred Rescue

Technically, a rescue dog is a purebred who has been rescued from a former home or from a pound or shelter and is currently homeless. Most AKC breed clubs sponsor purebred rescue groups. When a dog is dropped off at the shelter or taken into the dog pound, if that dog is believed to be purebred, the shelter calls the contact person for the local rescue group. If the rescue coordinator believes the dog is a purebred of the breed with which he is involved, that dog is taken from the pound and housed in a foster home until the rescue organization can find the dog a new, permanent home.

Rescue groups are typically run by breeders who are very concerned about dogs in general. They are networks of people who have extremely big hearts and only want to see the dogs find a good home. Much of the cost of fostering is picked up by the family that is sheltering the dog in their house, and the adoption fee you pay for the dog helps offset that cost.

It is natural to wonder if rescue dogs or others that have been abandoned have something wrong with them. After all, if they didn't, wouldn't they still be with their first family? The great thing about the fact that these dogs are fostered with “real” people is that they can be evaluated. The rescuers learn about the dogs' behaviors so they can explain to people what they might have to deal with. Many rescue dogs need some stability to help regain their confidence, and foster owners spend a lot of time working with such animals to ensure that they'll adjust to a new home.

The network of purebred rescue volunteers is extensive, and with the Internet it's easier than ever to investigate your options. Simply do a Webbased search for the breed you're interested in, plus “rescue,” and let the search begin.

From a Pet Shop

Once upon a time, buying a puppy from a pet shop was a common experience. Today it is becoming less common. The decline in pet shop sales has to do with the way they operate.

A responsible breeder ensures that his dogs are bred for a purpose, that they're properly raised and socialized, and that any health problems have been addressed. He takes care to breed two dogs who complement each other in order to produce the best possible dog, most emblematic of the breed standard or ideal. Responsible breeders ask you a lot of questions before they agree to sell you a puppy, and they try to match your personality with one of their puppies.

Pet shops claim to get their dogs from breeders, but pet shops need variety and volume. The breeders who sell to them tend to produce dogs with little or no concern about breed standards, temperament, or health problems. Pet shops know that puppies are most appealing when they're six to eight weeks old. That means that to get them to the store by that age they are usually separated from their mother and littermates at four to six weeks of age — far too early. These pups miss the critical developmental benefits of staying in their first family for as long as they should, and their new families pay the price in health and behavior problems later in life.

Does this mean good dogs don't come from pet shops? No. Some people who bought their dogs at pet stores have perfectly fine pets; others bought their dog at the mall, only to find out that the dog has a major health or behavioral problem.

Ask the people in the store a lot of questions. Where are the puppies from? How old were they when they came to the store? What kind of health guarantees does the store have? How long do you have to obtain a thorough veterinary health exam? How are the puppies kept — are the cages clean, do they have water, what are they fed, etc.? Use common sense. It may break your heart to leave the pleading puppies behind, but it may be best for you and your family.

If you do buy a puppy from a pet store, ask the staff a lot of questions about its background and whether the store provides any guarantees of the puppy's health. Take the puppy to a veterinarian right away for a first physical, and if the vet suspects any problems, speak with the store staff immediately.

From a Shelter

Almost every county in every state operates a local animal shelter where unwanted pets can be taken. Shelters typically house dogs and cats, though they may also take in rarer pets like iguanas, rabbits, ferrets, and birds. Dogs who end up there are often brought in by their current owners, though sometimes the dogs are found on the side of the road and are brought in by a concerned citizen who can't shelter the animal. Others are brought in by the local animal control department.

Sometimes the shelter is able to provide lots of information on a particular dog, and sometimes it has none. People who work in shelters are often the best judges of the dogs in their care and can tell you how they respond to certain situations and to other dogs.

In short, if you don't care about purebred vs. mixed breed, there are plenty of dogs that need good homes in these shelters. When you bring them home, they need a little extra loving and space before they can become confident, but they'll make it up to you with love and admiration. In many cases, they're a little older and are already housetrained, but you should still expect to go through an obedience course with your new dog at the very least.

From Other Sources

Relieving neighbors or friends of a puppy or dog is probably one of the least desirable ways to get a dog. Why? Maybe your neighbor has great fashion sense, knows all the newest, hottest bands, hangs out with cool people, has a great job — but what does she really know about dogs?

Often people have puppies to give away because their dog got pregnant. Sometimes they've bred her to another dog, and sometimes she's found a beau of her own. Sometimes they know who the other dog is, sometimes they don't.

In many cases, you really don't know what you're getting. And that's when you have to ask yourself a lot of questions. Is my friend really good to his dog? Did he read up on what to do with a pregnant dog? Did he go to their veterinarian for advice and regular care? Do I like my friend's dog? Have I spent enough time with that dog to know whether or not I like her?

Sometimes “friends” come up with dogs when they find a stray and try to find it a good home. This is more common than you think. Make sure to ask as many questions as you can. Try not to be moved by the sad story. You need to find yourself a pet that you can live with for a long time. Although many fine pets have been found this way, make sure to think about it before you bring one home. In short, a real friend won't try to sell you a dog you don't need. Think about the person who's trying to give you the dog, as well as about the dog itself.