Everyone loves puppies. They are fun and funny, cute and cuddly. But what happens when the fun wears off and you have to actually start dealing with the day-to-day chores of owning a puppy? Puppies are more than a gift or an impulse decision. They are a commitment; living beings that require love and care.

Once you’ve decided that you can handle the responsibility of a puppy, you should start investigating which breed would best suit your lifestyle. If you live in an apartment, it might be tempting to get a small dog, but know that smaller dogs are usually very energetic and require lots of exercise, which you might not be able to give them in an apartment. Large dogs are usually content to lie around all day and some large breeds don’t need as much exercise as smaller breeds.

There are many websites that can help you chose the right dog for you and your family. The American Kennel Club site (www.akc.org) has information about every kind of dog that is AKC recognized. You can also find lots of information about different dog breeds at www.dogbreedinfo.com, which is a database that helps potential pet owners decide what kind of dog might be right for them.

Puppy Breeders

It is important when getting a puppy from a breeder, that you receive full disclosure from the breeder. The mother of the puppies should be on hand so that you can see about what size your dog will be. Seeing both parents is even better. You should also be allowed to view the parents’ medical histories to see what kind of medical problems they may have had.