So, you've finally decided to add a new member to your family, a dog! Now the question that's kept thrown back and forth is what kind of dog are we going to get? In other words, the dog's breed!

Before you jump into deciding what type of breed you're fond of there are certain aspects you will need to give some consideration to, such as …

Well, to start with there are around 150 different breeds of dogs and when choosing one for you, try to consider the purpose of the dog you're getting. Are you getting a dog for companionship or as a guard? There could be a variety of reasons why we need a dog and the dog you select should serve that purpose.

How large or small should the dog be? Larger breeds can cost more overall for food, medicine etc however dog trainers claim are easier to train than smaller dogs. Of course, the dog's age, intelligence level, financial worth etc will play a major role in the selection.

When considering the breed, you should consider how active your life styles is as certain breeds of dogs could require a more active life style than your own and vice versa. This could also mean the space you have in your home. For example, can you accommodate a large active dog in your house or a small active dog? If you have enough space in your garden or back yard for the dog to play and be active then almost any type of dog would suite however what you must remember is almost 90% of the dogs are house dogs hence will spend most amount of time in your home so consider how you can accommodate them.

Grooming a dog is an essential part of taking care of your pet and different breeds require different levels and time for grooming. For example, if the dog you're choosing have longer hair coats then more grooming is needed, especially if the dog will play in the grass or bushes around. This could be time consuming for you so it's important to consider the amount of time and effort you can put for your pet.

Some of the other factors to consider are the age of the dog, whether you prefer a puppy or a more matured dog? would you like a purebred or mixed-breed dog? If you've grown up with dogs of purebred, your inclination would be to go for the same, however there is a variety of choices and pros and cons in both to consider before settling in to your new companion – as it is for life!