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There are many reasons for choosing to have a pet. You may wish to have the undivided personal attention of a pet for yourself, or wish to have some extra companionship for the family. In either case, there are many choices of animal available. One of the most popular choices is a pet dog, due to the many duties that it can perform around the home.

In both cases many breeds have been specifically bred for various duties, that it would be impossible to provide a true count. Today, there are now so many different breeds of dogs, that it is impossible to place an exact figure. At the last count, the official breeding organizations recognized well over 150 breeds, and over 200, if mixed breeds are taken into account.

Before you decide on which of the various dog breeds to make a new member of your family, you need to look carefully at all the different factors involved. Consider how that breed will fit in with your lifestyle with regard to the time you have available for play, grooming, feeding, and exercise. Do you have enough space for the size of dog you are considering? Large dogs often have a lot of energy and require a lot of space.

The different breeds of dogs have different physical and personality traits, and different needs and desires. Larger dogs may prefer to be taken for strenuous runs rather than leisurely walks. Dogs with long fur will usually require more grooming than dogs with short fur.

Do you wish a dog to be extremely friendly or do you wish it to have a more defensive personality? Different dog breeds have a different general response to strangers. A dog which barks whenever strangers approach may be of benefit in a rural location, but may not be so welcome in a more built up area.

When choosing a dog, another factor to consider is the age of dog you would prefer. Maybe you'd love the high energy, enthusiasm, and trainability of a puppy. Or perhaps you'd rather have a quieter, more mature pet. Whatever age you'd like, you can investigate the characteristics of different dog breeds at your local humane society or possibly dog breeding kennels. You'll be able to compare each breed to your own pet preferences to find the dog that's right for you.