Another thing you should make sure of is whether you will be able to afford the dog you have chosen. Search for information about dogs regarding the conditions they must live in (there are apartment dogs and dogs that need a big yard), the amount of food they need and other kinds of special care. Make sure your budget allows you to properly take care of your dog and remember that big dogs usually mean big expenses and they also need a large living space. Depending on the breed, there are several health issues that dogs are prone to face. It is very important for you, as a responsible owner, to have detailed information about the problems your dog might face and the actions you must take in order to keep him away from these problems.
Training is also vital if you want your dog to develop a healthy character that carries the main features of his breed. Various pieces of information about dogs will tell you how you should act around your dog, whether you should be firm, delicate or rough. Inappropriate behavior in dogs is almost always the fault of the owners, but don't let that scare you. Read about the dog breed you have chosen and make sure you train your puppy from an early age, so that he develops into the companion you want.
Some dogs are good with children, some dogs are not, some dogs are hyperactive while others are lazy - these characteristics depend very much on the breed and it is not advisable to try and turn an aggressive watchdog into one that plays with strangers or a hyperactive dog into one that is patient with children. So, set your priorities first and, after that, search for accurate information about dogs and decide what breed is good for you; do not try to adapt the breed to your needs just because you like the appearance of a particular dog.
Buying a dog is like having a baby - there is a long learning process you must go through and there are some things that will change within your family once the new member has arrived. Knowledge plays a very important role here - information about dogs is vital for every owner.