A breed apart.

• Author: Bulanda, Susan
• Position: Focus on Pets - Deciding which breed of dog to buy or adopt

THERE ARE MANY reasons why dogs are surrendered to shelters and breed rescues. Two main ones are impulse buying and the wrong dog for the wrong family. If you plan to buy a dog or adopt one, you must decide if a dog is right for you and which breed is best.

There are a number of considerations that go into deciding whether a dog will fit into your particular lifestyle. What do you plan to do during the next 15 years? Where will you live? Are you likely to make a job change that involves a move? Who lives in your family? How will they react to a dog? What do you anticipate your vacations plans will be? Will there be additions to your family (having children)? Am you considering getting more pets?

If you have decided that a dog is right for you, get a copy of a book about the different types of dogs. Next have each adult member of the family go through the book independently and make a list of 10 dogs he or she likes; then compare lists. Compile a family list of five dogs by picking the breeds that are common on each list, or everyone's first choice.

Next, consult a few dog trainers or behavior consultants (hut not a person who sells or rescues dogs, or the Internet) and ask them about the breeds on your list. Write down the pros and cons of the breeds you have chosen. Narrow your list down to one or two breeds.

Get the name of breeders. To do this, contact the United Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club, and find out if your state has a Federation of Dog Clubs (most do). Contact the Federation for a list of breeders/breed clubs. Compile a list of breed clubs in your area. Either from breed clubs or the Federation, compile a list of breeders.

Before you call any of the breeders, write the name, phone number, and any other relevant information about the breeder at the top of a sheet of paper. Next, call the breeders. Before you ask any questions and start taking taking notes, identify yourself and tell how you got their name. Explain that you would like to consider their breed of dog as your next pet and that you would like to ask them some questions about their dogs:

How long have they been breeding this breed of dog? The longer the better. If they just started, are they being mentored by an experienced person? Breeding is complicated and should not be done by someone who is inexperienced.

Do they breed more than one breed of dog? If so, what breeds? Good, dedicated breeders will concentrate on one or two breeds. It takes too much time to do it right and to manage more than one or two breeds.

Do they belong to a breed club? If not, be suspect. A breeder with goals...