When you decide to get a dog I’d encourage you to think about what breed would be a good fit for your home. Depending on your home size, yard size and activity level decide what size dog will be a good fit with you and your family. Then if you have a shelter or pound near you I’d go down look at the dogs they have to offer and meet a few of them. Ask questions of the staff on how the dog behaves in the kennel and around other dogs and people. See if they have any special needs. If they’re a small dog and you live in a cold climate area, ask if the dog would be ok wearing dog sweaters. Ask questions in regards to the standards that need to be met to adopt from the shelter in question. If in the end you do not find your four legged family member in the shelter look to breeders. I highly recommend going to the breeder’s location and seeing how their animals are treated and housed. If it does not look and feel right then it probably isn’t. Once you find a breeder you feel you can trust and you like the quality of their dogs and practices then get ready to pick your pup.