#2. Know Your Breeds
There are 178 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, scads more that are established but not recognized, and literally uncountable numbers of mutts. Think about your lifestyle, resources, and experience level with being a pet owner before choosing a breed.
Obviously, small kids paired with enormous, energetic, and aggressive dogs don’t mix. Are you more of a homebody? A more sedentary breed like an English bulldog might be a good fit. Consider yourself laid-back? Peruse the breed description for the word “dominant” and then steer clear. For some breeds, there can only be one alpha dog, and if you’re not ready to shoulder that role, you can bet Baxter over there will be.
