There are over 400 recognized breeds of dogs in the world today according to various breed registries. With so many choices, how can you possibly choose just one breed that's right for you? Actually, there are some specific things you should take into consideration when you think about getting a dog. Asking yourself some of these questions can help you narrow down your choices and choose a breed that is best suited for you and your lifestyle.

Will Your Dog Live Indoors Or Outdoors?

This basic question can narrow down your choices considerably. Some dogs are too small and delicate to live outside and are better off being house dogs. Other dogs, such as some of the livestock guardian breeds, have thick, heavy coats and more independent personalities and they prefer to live outside. So do some of the breeds used for mushing and pulling sleds. In between are many breeds that are happy to live indoors part of the time, as long as they get plenty of exercise outside. So, deciding where your dog will live and how much exercise he will be getting is a very good way to help you focus on some of the breeds you may wish to consider.

How Much Exercise Will Your Dog Get?

If you are someone who doesn't have a lot of time to spend, then it's best to choose a smaller breed dog who doesn't require as much exercise. If however you have a large yard and your dog will have lots of room, you can consider a larger breed dog who may need the space to run although some larger breed dogs can make very good apartment dogs. They don't need as much exercise as you might think. For instance, many people say that Greyhounds make excellent dogs for people who live in apartments as long as you can take them for a run at the dog park a couple of times per week. At home they love to lie around and just sleep and relax. The same is true of a giant breed like the Mastiff. They are homebodies who like to be at home relaxing with you.

How Much Grooming Are You Willing To Do?

Grooming needs vary from breed to breed but it is known that longhaired dogs usually require more grooming than shorthaired dogs. There are exceptions, however. In some cases shorthaired dogs will shed more than some longhaired dogs which means you have to brush them and vacuum quite a bit more in order to keep dog hair from covering everything in your home.

For instance, Labradors, Pugs, Beagles, and just a few of the shorthaired dogs which are known for their shedding. So, even though they have short hair which is easy to care for, they will keep you busy with cleaning instead. Most longhaired dogs will need to be brushed a couple of times per week. If you get a wirehaired dog such as a Schnauzer or one of the Terrier breeds, you can learn how to groom the dog yourself but most dog owners will take their dog to a professional groomer every six to eight weeks.

Some other items which dog owners should be aware of other than their dogs hair is their nails, teeth and ears. Teeth should be brushed daily or a minimum of once a week and nails and ears should be done weekly as well depending on the breed.

Large Or Small Breed?

Do you have a size preference for your dog? It's really a matter of personal preference whether you like a larger or smaller breed dog.

It will usually cost more to feed and care for a larger breed dog as they will eat more. Their veterinary care will also cost more because vets charge by size for many of their procedures. Even their toys can cost more. The downside is most larger breed dogs can have a shorter lifespan than smaller breed dogs. People who prefer larger breed dogs typically accept any drawbacks because of their love for their dog.

Smaller breed dogs can have different health problems from larger breed dogs and some of them have more delicate health. It can also cost more to buy extra things for a small dog such as clothes or accessories. Small dogs often need you to do things for them that large dogs can typically do for themselves. Once again it all comes down to a matter of personal preference.

Allergies Or Special Considerations

If you have someone in your family who has allergies, or if you have other special considerations, you will need to do some research to find a breed that will fit those needs. There are many great breeds that love children, such as Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. These breeds make wonderful family dogs, but there are so many others as well. Whatever you or your family needs, there is probably a breed out there that will suit you.

If you are looking for a breed that is hypoallergenic, keep in mind that all dogs do shed regardless of if they are hypoalllergenic or not.