Things to learn & ask before getting a dog

[ ] Why do you want to get a dog? Are you looking for a companion? Or are you looking to breed?
[ ] If you are looking to breed, why? (Note: breeding, when done properly and in consideration of the health span of the dog, is not as profitable as it looks. In short, please do not breed solely for money.)
[ ] Would you consider helping a dog in a shelter?
[ ] Are you willing to provide the dog with the following on a daily basis: proper food, water, shelter, physical exercise, mental exercise, etc.?
[ ] Are you willing to get yourself trained on canine behavior? Humans and dogs communicate very, very differently.

[ ] Breed history and tendencies - this will allow you to check whether the dog will match your lifestyle and household, and will help you fulfill the dog’s needs. Each breed will have preferences in terms of exercise and training.
[ ] If you are getting from a shelter, do some research on the shelter. Even better, meet the dog multiple times before adopting.
[ ] If you are getting from a breeder, KYB. Know your breeder! Check our resources for some guidelines on this. Also, meet the breeder and the dog multiple times prior to adopting.

[ ] The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer by Karen Shaw Becker and Rodney Habib - on what it takes to maximize your dog’s life span and health span, through genetics, diet, environment, exercise, etc
[ ] Doggie Language: A Dog Lover's Guide To Understanding Your Best Friend by Lili Chin - on how to read the dog’s body language in order to understand its current state of mind