Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family: A Veterinarian’s Tips for New Dog Owners

My family adopted a Golden Retriever named Sir Woodford Bibble (it’s a long story), and we could not be more excited to have introduced him into our home and hearts. Bringing home a new dog, especially a Golden Retriever, is an exciting milestone for any family, but choosing the right dog requires thoughtful planning. Although the adoption process was speedy, and the learning curve steep, this was a moment we had planned and waited for over the course of nearly a year.

As veterinarians, my wife and I know the many implications of pet ownership; from the many factors involved in selecting the right pet, to the costs of adoption and ongoing veterinary care, to the complications that can happen along the way. Understanding how to choose the right dog for your lifestyle, budget, and long-term expectations is one of the most important steps in responsible pet ownership. Throughout our training and careers, my wife and I have been privy to the ins and outs and ups and downs of pet ownership. Still, this decision was not an easy one for us, and I was struck by the realization that for most first-time dog owners, this is a journey they may embark upon without the guidance of a veterinarian.

If you are considering adopting a dog, researching dog breeds, or preparing to welcome a puppy into your home, partnering with a veterinarian early can help ensure a smoother transition for both you and your new companion.

Should You Talk to a Veterinarian Before Getting a Dog?

Many people don’t think to involve a veterinarian until after they’ve already chosen a dog and brought them home. That’s understandable, but it can be incredibly helpful to talk with a veterinarian earlier in the process, especially if you’re deciding between a puppy and an adult dog, comparing breeds, estimating costs, or trying to find a good fit for your family’s lifestyle.

Most people focus first on the fun parts: finding the dog, buying the leash and bowls, setting up the crate, and choosing food. But getting a veterinarian involved early can help you think through issues that matter long after the excitement of adoption day fades, like behavior, training, preventive care, breed-related health risks, and long-term costs. If I can relieve even a little of the stress that comes with bringing home a new pet or help one family avoid a mismatch between dog and household, then I’m glad to do my part.

Puppy vs. Adult Dog: What Age Is Best for Your Home?

I have seen many puppies in my career and can verify that it takes approximately 0.01 seconds to fall in love with one. I’m not a fan of scented candles, but if “puppy breath” were sold in stores, I’d be first in line. However, there are many variables to consider.

Puppies are a bit like wild children (another topic in which I’m well-versed). They’re adorable, especially when someone else is managing chaos. There’s no doubt puppies bring immense joy, but they also require tremendous patience, training, and time.

You may have heard that a puppy can hold its bladder for about one hour per month of age. I’m not sure that’s ever been scientifically validated, but it’s probably a fair estimate of how frequently you’ll be waking up in the early months if you plan to house-train properly. Then there’s the chewing on pillows, muddy paws on the couch, digging in the garden, and a dozen other behaviors that take time and consistency to correct.

Just as important as house-training is early socialization. The first few months of a puppy’s life are a critical period for learning how to safely and confidently interact with the world. Positive, appropriately managed exposure to people, other animals, sounds, surfaces, car rides, handling, and routine life experiences can have a major impact on future behavior. Early training should focus on consistency, reward-based methods, and building confidence, not punishment.

For many households, including our own, an adult dog may ultimately be a better fit. If you’re seeking quiet companionship and immediate loyalty, senior pets are often overlooked in shelters. Many have lived difficult lives and fully deserve the comfort of a loving home.

What Breed Is Best for Your Home?

Beyond age, breed deserves serious consideration. Most dog breeds were developed with a specific purpose in mind (do yourself a favor and don’t go too far down the rabbit hole researching the original purpose of Chihuahuas). As a result, certain behaviors are ingrained in their genetic makeup.

If you live in a city apartment and work long hours, as regal as a Weimaraner or Brittany Spaniel may be, those breeds are unlikely to thrive in that environment, though there are always exceptions.

When researching a breed, look beyond appearance. Consider energy level, exercise needs, grooming requirements, and temperament. If possible, spend time with the specific dog you’re considering before making a final decision. Breed tendencies can be helpful, but they are not guarantees. Individual personality, early life experiences, training, and environment all matter.

Some important questions to ask yourself include:

• What energy level am I looking for?
• How many hours per day will the dog be alone?
• Can I pay someone to exercise them regularly if needed?
• How much time can I consistently devote to training and care?
• Am I prepared to maintain that commitment for 10–15 years?
• Are there children in the household?
• Do I travel frequently?
• Will this dog have a “job” in our home?
• And perhaps most practically—how strong is my vacuum?

If you’re uncertain whether a particular dog is the right fit, consider a foster-to-adopt arrangement. Many shelters and rescues offer this option, allowing you to bring a dog into your home for a trial period before committing. This gives you invaluable insight into how the dog behaves in your actual living environment, how they interact with your family and any existing pets, and whether their energy level and temperament truly align with your lifestyle. It’s an excellent way to move beyond the “meet and greet” stage and make a more informed decision.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers a Dog Breed Selector tool that may help narrow your search if you’re unsure which breed best fits your lifestyle.

Where Should You Get Your Dog? Shelters, Rescues & Breeders

Once you’ve decided what type of dog best suits your lifestyle, the next major decision is whether to adopt or purchase. While much of what I’ve shared applies to most furry, feathered, or scaled companions, I’ll assume that if you’re reading this, you’ve landed on adopting a dog.

Sir Woodford Bibble (“Woody”) came to us through a local organization that raises and trains service dogs. In his case, behaviors such as barking at unexpected sounds and disliking his service vest led to his release from the program. For us, it was a joy to adopt Woody and an honor to donate his adoption fee to such a meaningful organization. But this is just one of many paths.

Today, there are shelters, breed-specific rescues, reputable breeders, online services, pet stores, and even social media posts to consider. With two boys under age three at the time, we had many variables to weigh.

Shelters and Rescues

I find it difficult to recommend any option above adoption from a local shelter. Shelter staff dedicate themselves to placing animals in loving homes, and adopting from a shelter can literally save a life.

If you’re searching for a specific breed, consider a breed-specific rescue group. These organizations are often excellent resources. Even if they don’t have the right dog immediately, new dogs frequently enter their care each month.

Reputable Breeders

If you are not only in search of a specific breed but also feel like you’re up for the task of a puppy, contacting a reputable breeder may be your best bet. Sadly, almost anyone can call themselves a breeder, and producing a litter is not the same as breeding responsibly. As a veterinarian, I’ve met breeders who are deeply knowledgeable, thoughtful, and committed to the health and temperament of their dogs. I’ve also seen the heartbreak that can follow the purchase of a poorly bred puppy. If you go this route, do your homework. Ask about health testing, temperament, early socialization, and where and how the puppies are raised.

The Humane Society of the United States offers several helpful tips for identifying a responsible breeder.

Other Considerations

I find it difficult to recommend purchasing a dog from a pet store. Many such puppies originate from large-scale commercial breeding operations, often referred to as puppy mills. These dogs may come with significant health challenges due to poor early conditions. I have personally treated many severely ill pet store puppies—often within 48 hours of adoption—and, despite the best efforts of multiple veterinary specialists, some cases ended in heartbreak.

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Dog?

One of the biggest stressors many families underestimate is the true cost of pet ownership. While an adoption fee may be modest and include spay/neuter surgery, deworming, vaccines, and an introductory veterinary visit, lifetime costs add up.

Depending on breed, size, and medical needs, estimates for lifetime dog ownership range widely. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal says the upfront cost of owning a dog range from $1,150 to $4,420 with the ongoing cost ranging from $1,390 to $5,295 year.

I know those numbers can sound overwhelming. Years ago, I might have said the same thing. But when our previous Golden Retriever was diagnosed with lymphoma, I didn’t hesitate to pursue treatment. His chemotherapy gave us many additional months of happy memories, something I would never trade. Over two years, his treatment costs approached $18,000.

Fortunately, approximately 90% of that care was covered by insurance.

That experience leads me to one of my strongest recommendations: consider pet insurance early, before pre-existing conditions enter the picture. Premiums vary widely depending on your dog’s breed, age, location, deductible, reimbursement level, and policy type, but the right plan can provide tremendous peace of mind. Alternatively, setting aside funds in a dedicated emergency savings account may also be wise. Young dogs, in particular, have an uncanny ability to find trouble, whether it’s needing $5,000-$10,000 in emergency intestinal surgery after swallowing a toy, or requiring treatment for an unexpected illness.

Before Your Dog Comes Home: A Few Practical Steps

Before bringing your new dog home, think through the basics: where they’ll sleep, how you’ll manage potty training, what they might chew, who will supervise them, and how you’ll safely introduce them to children and other pets. Make sure toxic foods, medications, cords, small toys, and trash are out of reach. A little planning upfront can prevent a surprising number of first-week disasters.

What Should I Feed My New Dog? Nutrition Guidelines

Few topics spark more debate than pet nutrition. Should your 12-pound Bichon eat raw rabbit like its ancestors? Are large pet food companies producing “junk” food? You are bombarded with strong opinions and aggressive marketing from every direction.

It’s important to remember that board-certified veterinary nutritionists dedicate their careers to understanding evidence-based canine and feline nutrition. If you want reliable guidance, look to veterinary schools, board-certified veterinary nutritionists, and evidence-based resources such as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) nutrition guidance rather than online trends or marketing buzzwords. Terms like “premium,” “natural,” or “holistic” may sound reassuring, but they do not necessarily tell you whether a diet is well formulated, appropriately tested, or right for your individual dog.

How to Choose a Veterinarian for Your New Dog

Choosing a veterinary hospital is not unlike selecting a pediatrician. You are placing trust in a team who will guide you through routine wellness visits and unexpected emergencies alike.

Friends and neighbors may have strong opinions, but relatively few people are equipped to evaluate medical quality objectively. Ultimately, part of this decision comes down to instinct and alignment. Does the veterinarian share your philosophy about pet care? Are they transparent about their experience and limitations?

Your dog’s first veterinary visit should do more than confirm that they’re cute and alive. It’s a chance to build a preventive care plan tailored to that pet, including vaccines, parasite prevention, nutrition, dental care, behavior, spay/neuter planning when relevant, and discussion of breed- or age-related risks.

There is tremendous value in seasoned veterinarians with decades of experience. At the same time, never underestimate the passion and up-to-date knowledge of a newer graduate.

When visiting a practice—whether with or without your pet—observe the following:

• Is the facility clean?
• Is the staff courteous and professional?
• What emergency resources are available?

Accreditations such as American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation or Fear Free certification can also offer reassurance.

Partnering With Your Veterinarian

The veterinary-client-patient relationship is a partnership. Veterinarians enter this profession out of deep compassion for animals, but even in stressful situations, it’s important to remember that your veterinary team is there to help you.

You may notice I haven’t listed cost as the primary deciding factor when choosing a veterinarian. Veterinary medicine has advanced dramatically. Today’s pets have access to MRI, radiation therapy, endoscopy, internal medicine specialists, 24-hour emergency care, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology, and more. The technology, training, and staffing required to provide this level of care contribute to rising costs, but they also allow our pets to live longer, healthier lives.

Few experiences compare to the mix of joy and nervous excitement that comes with bringing a new family member home. It begins the moment you lock eyes and know it was meant to be. It continues as you introduce them to your home, your routines, your friends, and anyone willing to listen.

My hope is that this guidance helps you choose and care for your new dog in a way that brings you many healthy, happy years together.

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