Selection Quiz for Choosing a Dog
 This selection quiz for choosing a dog is designed to help you determine what your lifestyle is like, so that you can narrow down the vast number of breeds available to a manageable group of likely candidates. This quiz is designed to be printed out and then taken.
Because this quiz is designed to help you carefully think through what is important to you and your family so that you can make the right choices when narrowing down the breeds that you consider as dog choices, it is designed to be printed out and taken when you can devote some time and perhaps share the questions with your family.
After you take the quiz, you will find the answers and some suggestions about the next steps to take in your quest to find your perfect dog.
The goal here is to find the right kind of dog for your family based on what you and your family are already doing, so that the transition of bringing a dog into your life will be pleasant and fun.
This selection quiz for choosing a dog will help you consider the requirements that different dogs need and what you are willing and able to commit to beforehand, so that you can search with this information in mind.
Please take the selection quiz for choosing a dog, and be extremely honest with yourself in the process. You might discover something that you were not aware of as you are taking the questionnaire. Steering an answer toward what you think is the right dog for you now will only do you and your future companion a disservice in the long run.
Print out this quiz, and complete the selection quiz for choosing a dog fully by circling your answers, and then click on the link at the bottom of the page to find out what your answers indicate. Here is an easier format to use for printing.
GREAT! Let's get started.
Selection Quiz for Choosing A Dog:
Help discover the right type of dog to fit with your family's lifestyle!
Why do you want a dog? (check all that apply):
* For my children
* Companionship
* Security
* Jogging buddy
* To show in the Dog Show circuit
* To socialize with other dog lovers
* Something else not listed:
What is your lifestyle like? (check all that apply):
* I work full-time
* I am home a good deal of the time
* I am a neat freak
* I am OK with some clutter
* I don’t care what my house looks like!
* I am very active, and would like an active dog
* I would like a companion, but would rather have a calm, quiet dog
* I would enjoy a dog that likes outdoor activity, but is quiet indoors
How do you want your dog to relate to you and others?
(Check the best answer):
* Dog must be good with children
* I want a dog that loves everyone!
* I want a dog that loves the entire family, and is friendly with our acquaintances
* I want a dog that loves the entire family, and is tolerant of others
* I want a dog that loves our family, but doesn’t warm up quickly to others
* I want more of a “one-person” dog, who will gravitate towards me, but will still enjoy my family and accept others
What is your living environment like?(check one):
* I have a mid-sized to large house and a fenced yard
* I have a mid-sized to large house, and access to daily outdoor space
* I have a small house or apartment with access to daily outdoor exercise space
* I have a small house or apartment, and do not have easy access to outdoor exercise space
Can your finances support caring for a dog? (check one):
* Finances are not a problem
* I will need to budget, but have carefully considered all of the costs
* My finances fluctuate, so it will be hard to budget. What do I need besides food anyway?
* Finances are tight. I am not sure what the total costs might be.
How committed can you be to your dog? (check one):
* I am interested and able to work with my dog every day, training, grooming and exercising him/her
* My time is limited, but I am dedicated to spending some time each day training, exercising and/or grooming him/her
* I am not sure how much time I can dedicate to my dog for training, exercising and grooming, but have some time each week. I can take them out for daily walks, though
* How much time do I need to devote to my dog? Isn’t taking them out to go to the bathroom enough?
Other considerations:
* Does your family like to travel? Would you like to take your dog with you or board your dog while you are away?
* Have you checked with your landlord or association about their rules regarding dogs?
* Is anyone in your family allergic?
* What is the age of the youngest child that will be around your dog on a regular basis?
* Have you thought about how future lifestyle changes might affect your ability to care for your new dog? (babies, job schedule changes, impending move, etc.)
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