By Adria L. Henderson

More puppies are adopted or purchased at the beginning of the school year than at any other time – except for Christmas. With the kids back in school and everyone on a set schedule it would seem the perfect time to get a new puppy.

But is it really the right time?

Families soon realize it takes a lot of time and energy to raise a pup. The kids really aren’t old enough to help out, they have more homework than anyone expected, and the school routine hasn’t really settled in yet. Unfortunately, by the end of “puppy-picking” season, many of these September pups are just not working out. The poor puppy ends up being moved to a new home or – yikes! – ends up at a pound or shelter.

Is your lifestyle really conducive to raising a dog? Are you away from home a lot? If you travel a lot, do you have someone responsible to care for your pet while you are away? Will having to clean up after a puppy before he’s housebroken disturb you? Do you have an area where a puppy can be kept confined and won’t get into trouble?

Is there someone responsible to take the puppy out at least four times a day for the first four months? Is a family member available and willing to take the puppy out in the middle of the night for the first few weeks?

Will fur-balls flying around the hardwoods, or piles of fur in the middle of your best chair, upset you? Are your children too young to handle a puppy responsibly? Do you have the extra time to spend taking your puppy to obedience class or to hire a private trainer?

Are you ready for a 10- to 15-year commitment to your pet?

These are many of the questions you have to ask yourself. But if you really think you’re ready for a pup, the next step is to pick the right dog to match your family’s lifestyle.

With hundreds of breeds to choose from, from miniature to giant size and every size in-between, and with personalities ranging from hyper to puddle-like, how do you pick the right dog for you?

The following four criteria can help choose the right breed for your family.

SIZE – Just as you wouldn’t expect a five-year old child to be able to handle a 250-pound mastiff, you also wouldn’t want to get a fragile breed like a Yorkshire Terrier with a rambunctious three-year old. If you have small children, the choices need to be narrowed considerably. Children have friends. Their friends come to the house to play. Try to avoid large breeds that would have to be confined every time children visit in fear that the dog will either knock them over, tear their clothes or bite them, even in play.

PERSONALITY and TEMPERAMENT – If you live in a secluded area and need or want the security of a watchdog, you can choose a breed that barks at every strange sound to alert you, but doesn’t exhibit any aggression. Of course, there are dogs that are aggressive by nature. These breeds should generally not be included in a family setting. Even-tempered breeds such as the Retrievers are better choices for families, especially those with children.

ACTIVITY LEVEL – For families who live in small apartments or condos, breeds that are more puddle-like, and require little exercise and room are better choices. Unless you are a runner and will be taking your dog on your jogging trips daily, the low-key,  breeds are  a better choice.

GROOMING and SHEDDING – Working families who don’t have the time for daily grooming and those with family members who are highly allergic should stay away from those breeds who coats shed often and require constant attention, unless you can afford trips to the groomer regularly. There are many breeds that require little or no grooming and some that do not shed and are hypoallergenic, such as Poodles and the Bichon Frise.

If you’re considering a purebred dog, the breeds are divided into seven groups; working sporting; non-sporting, herding, hounds, terrier and toys. The dogs in each group are generally similar in personality and temperament. Using the following as a guide, and the criteria as outlined above, (realizing that there are exceptions to every rule!) can help determine what breed is best for your family.

HOUNDS love people. They are barkers so if you live close to neighbors perhaps another breed is a better choice. Since they were bred to work in packs they usually get along with other dogs and people. Examples are the Basset Hound, Beagle and Dachshund.

TERRIERS are diggers, have high energy and are very focused on their tasks. Terribly independent by nature, they usually don’t get along well with other dogs and require owners who are disciplined and persistent. Examples are the Jack Russell, Miniature Schnauzer and Scottish Terrier.

WORKING DOGS are usually the larger breeds and, true to their names, work well for their people. They usually do well in a family setting. They have the most dominant personalities of the groups and require strict rules and discipline as puppies so their dominance doesn’t replace their place in the family pack. Because of size they may not be the best choice for families with small children. Examples are the Boxer, Rottweiller and Husky.

TOYS are not toys. They are the smallest of the groups and therefore the most fragile and usually don’t fair well with small children who don’t understand their frailty. Their personalities vary greatly so it’s impossible to generalize about temperament. They make the best companions for families with limited living space or no exercise room. They’re especially good breeds for seniors, as they can be carried and are wonderful, loyal companions. Examples are the Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier.

SPORTING BREEDS are sports. They crave attention and need lots of room to exercise. These dogs are best for families with lots of indoor and outdoor space and who enjoy high-energy, active lifestyles. These dogs make great family pets and are usually wonderful around kids. Disadvantage: they love to run and roam. Examples are the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever.

NON-SPORTING are the non-specific breeds. This group of dogs is made up of all those breeds that are no longer used for the purpose in which they were originally bred. Because of their diversity, it is impossible to categorize them as a group and each really needs to be considered individually. Breed books can give you a good idea. Examples are the Dalmatian, Bichon Frise and Chow Chow.

HERDING DOGS herd people as well as animals, usually by nipping at their ankles. They can sometimes be a nuisance, or a lifesaver, with groups of children who they instinctively want to keep in one place! They are bred to be trained and respond well to lots of exercise and discipline. Advantage: They tend to stick close to home and are available in large and small sizes. Examples are the Border Collie, German Shepherd and Welsh Corgi.

Of course adopting a dog from your pound or shelter is the best choice of all. The same rules apply when dogs are chosen from your local shelter, keeping in mind that in many cases the dog’s history and pedigree is not available and therefore, his future personality may be unknown.

Adria L. Henderson, owner of Safe at Home, a Newtown based Pet Sitting business, contributes Animal Lifestyles. You can contact us at (203)-426-5784, at PO Box 3008 Newtown, Ct.06470 or e-mail at petfocus@aol.com.