We know how easy it can be to fall in love with a dog who needs a home
You may love the look of a particular dog breed, or perhaps you've fallen for a shelter pup who's waiting for a family. Maybe you've always had a certain breed of dog in your life until now. However, before making a lifetime committment to a new pup, it's important to take the emotion out of your decision making and really consider the following things.
What size of dog is manageable today vs. what size will be manageable in ten years?
A puppy is cute and easy enough to transport; however, puppies grow up, and some little puppies grow into enormous adult dogs who can be difficult to handle physically. You may absolutely love an Alaskan Malamute or Saint Bernard, but maybe not if you're on the other end of the leash when they bolt, or if they get injured while you're out on a long walk.
While it may be a difficult question to ask yourself, do your best to make an honest evaluation of how big will be too big ten years into the future.
Regardless of the answer, smaller breeds and miniature versions of standard breeds can often make for more manageable pets, when you are making a match for life.
How busy is your lifestyle?
Active dogs like border collies would love to go for those long walks, but they'll also want a couple of additional hours of play time each day! Their exercise needs are extremely high, and will remain so, which has the potential to become too much down the road, if not already. There are plenty of dogs with fewer exercise requirements who would love to join you on the occasional long walk, if that aligns better with your own fitness goals.
If your lifestyle is less active in general, or has the potential to slow down considerably, you would do best to choose a more sedentary breed. This is especially true if you have any mobility concerns.
Some breeds really are better suited for a quiet home, so if you have regular visits from the children in your life, you might want to consider a breed with the temperament for their style of energy.