Everyone has an idea what type of dog breed they want to own. Often these ideas or "wish" dog breeds are not going to be a good match for your family, living situation or schedule. Thankfully there are so many different pure breed dogs and hybrid dogs or mixed bred dogs that most owners can, with a bit of research, end up choosing a dog breed that matches exactly what they want.

In order to determine what dog breed or dog breeds most closely align with the realities of your lifestyle, honestly answer the following questions. Choosing a dog breed from the answers you provide will then help you narrow down your searches and help you locate kennels or breeders in your area.

1. How much space do you have both inside and outside for your dog?

This is a critical question as you don't want a large or giant breed high energy dog if you have a small house or apartment, while you also don't want a dog that prefers being outdoors and active if you don't have a secure fenced yard where he or she can safely roam. Smaller dogs generally can adapt well to all space situations, and many of the larger breeds can too provided you are willing to provide significant exercise through long walks and runs throughout the day.

2. What size of a dog do you want?

All puppies are small and cute, but once they get older even tiny puppies can become huge dogs. There are some breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Great Pyrenees that can mature at significantly more than 80 pounds and measure over 30 inches at the shoulder. The opposite are the small and toy breeds that may not weigh over 8 pounds and measure under 9 inches at full maturity. Either size may be both appropriate and inappropriate, but larger dogs do eat more, require more space and typically require more outside time to exercise through walks and play activities.

3. What are the characteristics you want in a dog?

This is important as not all dogs will do the same things and have the same natural characteristics and traits. Many owners become frustrated when their Doberman Pinscher doesn't act like a Shih Tzu or their Rat Terrier chases everything instead of just staying calm like a Mastiff. If you want a busy, active dog look for an active, high energy breed such as a Collie, Terrier or working or hunting dog breed. If you are choosing a breed as a calm house pet don't look towards breeds that are known as active or high energy. Dogs can't change their inherited behavior traits any more than you can change your inherited characteristics, so don't get a breed and try to change this aspect of their make-up.

4. What dog breed or dog breeds are you most attracted to or interested in and why?

Sit down and honestly decide what attracts you or interests you in a particular breed. Look for the specifics, is it the dog breeds color, size, temperament, behaviors or their natural abilities? Do you have a preference for pure breed dogs, hybrid dogs or mixed bred dogs? Choosing a dog breed that is what you like but also meets your lifestyle, accommodation and overall time commitment needs is then possible.

5. How much time to you have to commit to your dog?

Some dog breeds are very time and attention intensive while others are more independent and able to thrive being left alone for longer periods of time. Of course all dogs need daily and regular quality time with owners, but some need much more than others to avoid developing separation anxieties and destructive types of behaviors. Grooming, training time and socialization time are all things to consider as well.

There are likely many more questions you can thing of to help you in choosing a dog breed that matches your lifestyle. Think about the dog breeds you are interested in and why, honestly answer the questions above and then do some research on the dog breed or dog breeds that highlight your selection criteria – you will be sure to find a match.