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" Your kids have been begging\u2014begging!\u2014for a dog. And you&amp;#039;ve just agreed to get them one (admittedly, with a few reservations). So how do you pick the best one for your family? Our experts share the top things you should consider.   Temperament and Personality   &amp;quot;Often when you first meet a dog, he&amp;#039;s very freaked out. You don&amp;#039;t get to see him as he really is,&amp;quot; says Sam Stall, author of The Good, the Bad, and the Furry. &amp;quot;Your best bet is to ask the people who care for him what he&amp;#039;s like. Otherwise, you could have him a week before he shows his true colors.&amp;quot;   Shelters often ask dogs&amp;#039; former owners to explain why they gave them up. Many also conduct temperament evaluations. &amp;quot;It gives you a clear picture of what life with him will be like,&amp;quot; says Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for the Humane Society of the United States Companion Animals program.   Relaxed families may prefer laid-back bulldogs, while active families are best for high-energy huskies, retrievers and Dalmatians. Only the most attentive types should adopt border collies and sheepdogs. &amp;quot;They need lots of mental and physical stimulation,&amp;quot; says Stall. His favorite dogs for families are golden retrievers and beagles.   Age   &amp;quot;Having a puppy is like having a child,&amp;quot; says Stall. &amp;quot;You have to puppy-proof your house, toilet-train him and wash him all the time. Also, puppies cry at night and always want to be with you.&amp;quot;   It&amp;#039;s a better idea to choose a dog that&amp;#039;s at least 6 months old. At that age, they&amp;#039;re more likely to be housebroken and comfortable around people. And forget the myth that adult dogs can&amp;#039;t bond with new families, or be retrained if they had a previous owner. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s not difficult to teach a dog new tricks-at any age,&amp;quot; Shain insists.   Expenses   It&amp;#039;s easy to forget about the cost of dog ownership. Dogs cost upwards of $500 annually in food, grooming and vet bills. &amp;quot;Think through all the costs before you take the leap,&amp;quot; urges Shain. &amp;quot;Shop for toys and food, and research the price of physicals, vaccinations, and flea and heartworm treatments with vets. Too often, people just aren&amp;#039;t prepared for the financial burden.&amp;quot; Also, dogs can incur unexpected medical expenses.   If you decide your family can&amp;#039;t afford a dog right now, consider pet-sitting for a friend or serving as a temporary foster family for an animal shelter. That will help you determine if your kids are really ready for their own dog, and will give you time to save up for one. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/a2744/how-to-pick-the-perfect-pooch-941/?src=shelter_footer>