First, avoid impulsive purchases.Often, we see that cute little puppy in the store and our emotions take over.Do your best to resist!Instead, wait a few days and research dog breeds.Dogs come in different breeds for a reason – they were bred to do certain jobs.Because of this, some dogs may not be the best choice for your situation.As an example, a Border Collie who is bred to work all day herding sheep is not a great choice for someone who lives in an apartment, has little time to give the dog exercise and is not willing to provide the dog with mental stimulation.And a Bassett Hound would not be an appropriate choice for a person who wants a jogging buddy!There are lots of good books on dog breeds.The American Kennel Club also is a good resource.Go to their web site at http://www.akc.org/breeds/complete_breed_list.cfm to browse through the characteristics of the breeds. The Humane Society of the United States also has good information on selecting a puppy - http://www.stoppuppymills.org/puppy_buying_tips.html. Of course, I will always recommend you look to your local animal shelter or rescue groups first before going to a breeder.There are always wonderful homeless dogs in these places.Contrary to some beliefs, many dogs who are surrendered to shelters do not have behavior problems.Many dogs are given up for reasons like divorce, moving, unable to afford to keep the dog, and child’s allergies to the dog.You are bound to find all ages and sizes of dogs to choose from.