* Question: How do I choose the pet that is right for my family?

First and foremost, never purchase your new pet on impulse. Bringing a sweet little fur ball home just because it was adorable is rarely the best way to find a new pet.

Rather, you should discuss the matter of pets with your entire family. Don’t forget to consider these points: daily feeding, personal attention, playtime, grooming, veterinary care and house training (if applicable). You may also want to ask each family member why they want a pet. Make sure your children understand that a pet is another family member, not just a toy, and the needs of the pet should be considered alongside other members of the family.

Next, review your lifestyle. Let’s say, for example, you have a downtown apartment and have a rigorous work schedule. In this case it may be best to consider a pet such as a bird, a cat or maybe even a fish. If your daily routine includes jogging or running, then a dog might be a good choice for you.

To get a better idea of the needs of a potential pet, consider talking to breeders and other pet owners. Another good resource is to attend local pet shows and talk to the judges. Go online to search for specific breeds to learn more about the pet you are considering. Of course, it’s always a good idea to consider the ages of your children when planning to purchase a new pet. Not only this, but consider the life expectancy of the pet for bonding purposes.

* Question: Is it best to get a pet at a pet store or an animal shelter?

It’s really a matter of individual choice. However, personally, I would say it is advisable to get pets from a shelter. The animals are well-cared for by the staff and are aware of an environment involving people. The shelter’s staff can help you find the pet that you want. The staff can tell you which dog enjoys long walks, which animal loves children and which cat likes to curl up on your lap. In addition, animals from a shelter have already undergone medical treatments such as immunizations, spaying and neutering.

If you plan on getting a pet from a pet store, be sure to get a briefing from the store owner regarding that animal’s behavior, especially with dogs, cats and other animals having a good amount of interactions with people.

* Question: How do I determine what type of dog is best for me?

Use the following as a guide for finding the perfect dog for you:

- Read pet guides to learn about a certain dog breed’s background, personality, tendencies and temperament. Browse the internet for more details of those family-friendly breeds of dogs.

- Find a vet to discuss details about the characteristics of the breed you are looking for. Ask questions to understand more about the dog’s breed.

- If you decide to purchase your puppy from the pet store, be sure to ask for the dog’s status — for example, the dog’s history, physical or behavioral problems as well as anomalies of the breed. If you do not want to use a pet store, you can also find dogs and other animals at your county’s animal shelter or through a private breeder.

- Lastly, ask for your friends’ assessments and experiences with various types of dogs they have owned.

As editor of Pet-HQ.com, Paige Harbold gives helpful tips on everything from How to Adopt a Pet to lless-known topics such as Pet Strollers.

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