A new dog can bring you years of enjoyment and companionship. But if you and your dog are not well-suited to each other's personality and lifestyle, the experience may not be very enjoyable for either of you.

Before you bring home that new puppy, consider the needs and expenses involved in responsible pet ownership. Make sure you have the time to feed, groom, exercise and properly train your dog. In addition to high quality food, dogs need veterinary care, grooming, and perhaps boarding and other supplies. If you have other pets or small children at home, consider how a new dog will fit into your household.

When deciding what type of dog is right for you, some factors to consider include:

Haircoat--Longer hair is beautiful but needs frequent brushing and may need periodic trimming. Dogs with heavy undercoats are most comfortable in colder weather, but shed more heavily than short-coated dogs in spring and fall. Short-coated dogs require less coat care, but may not handle cold weather as well.

Activity--Smaller breeds of dogs can be more active than larger breeds. Some herding and sporting breeds need a lot of exercise and may become frustrated or even destructive if they do not receive it.

Male or female--Female dogs are often easier to train and calmer than male dogs, but individual dogs and breeds can vary.

A good source of information about specific dog breeds is your veterinarian. He or she can be invaluable in guiding your decision. Talk to breeders and others who own breeds that interest you. Pick up books on various breeds at your library.

If you're picking a puppy from a litter, first make sure that you like the looks and personalities of both parents. Watch the behavior of the whole litter. Try to avoid the most aggressive pup and the one that is most shy. Handle several puppies. A good-natured pup will quickly relax in your arms as you gently restrain it. The pup should be curious and interested in its surroundings, and readily come to people rather than running away.

When you are ready to purchase a dog, buy from a reputable source that provides a health guarantee. Dogs from shelters and pounds also need homes and can be excellent pets, but remember that some dogs are taken to shelters because of behavioral problems. You might not be able to train such dogs out of the undesirable behavior. Ask the shelter staff about the history of any dog you are thinking of adopting before you make a decision.

Remember, if you do your research carefully and avoid buying any animal on impulse, you and your new pet will likely be a perfect match!

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