Puppies

Size

This may be obvious, but you need to work out how

big, or how small, a dog is right for you. If you fancy

a giant breed, such as a Mastiff or a St. Bernard, you

need enough space in your home and in your car. You

should also take into account that large breeds will

be more expensive to feed. Small breeds, such as a

Pug or a Dachshund, are very adaptable and will take

to apartment life, which may be a consideration if

you live in a city.

Coat

For some people, grooming a dog is a pleasurable

occupation, for others it is simply a chore. No matter

how much you like the look of a breed, bear in mind

the workload involved in keeping the coat looking

good. A long-coated breed, such as the Afghan

Hound, will need daily grooming, whereas a short-

coated breed like a Labrador Retriever needs little

more than a weekly brush. Some breeds, such as the

Poodle and many of the terrier breeds, need regular

trips to the grooming parlor, which is an expense

to consider. If you want a longcoated breed, such as

a Shih Tzu, but you cannot cope with the grooming,

you can consider keeping your dog in pet trim, which

looks good and is easy to maintain.

Puppies