Summarize the following:
Animal shelters often have tons of great dogs available for adoption. As long as you know what you're looking for in your new pet, you will probably be able to find a suitable dog at a shelter near you. Shelters also have many different breeds of dog available, so if you aren't set on a particular breed, this can be a good way to get acquainted with several different ones before deciding. The staff at animal shelters are often familiar with many different breeds of dog so they can probably help you decide which might be the best fit for you. Don't get discouraged if you don't find your new companion right away. You may have to look at a lot of shelters, and a lot of dogs, before you find the one that is the right fit for you. There are also rescues for just about every breed of dog. If you have a specific breed in mind, this may be a good option since all of their dogs will be the type of breed you're looking for. If you know what breed of dog you want, contacting local breeders may be a good option as well. As long as the breeder is responsible, you can likely find a puppy that is healthy and well cared for from a breeder. Keep in mind that this will probably be a much more expensive option than adopting from a shelter or rescue. On average, puppies obtained from a breeder cost anywhere from several hundred dollars up to several thousand. In addition, most breeders only sell puppies. If you're looking for an older dog, a breeder probably won't be the right option for you. Always ask to take a look around your breeder's premises before buying from them. You want to make sure your puppy was treated well and raised under good conditions before deciding to buy. Pet stores may also have a variety of dogs to choose from. While many will be puppies, they may have some older dogs as well. Pet stores, however, are becoming a less popular place to get a dog, with many people preferring to adopt from shelters or buy from a breeder. Many people believe most pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills where there is abuse and ill-treatment of dogs. Puppy mill dogs can also suffer from a number of health problems. Do your research and trust your gut. If you get a bad feeling from a pet store, it is best to keep looking. No matter where you get your dog, the staff or breeder should be able to give you some insight into its personality and temperament. Ask them things like how it gets along with the other dogs, with new people, and with children. For example, if your new dog will be around new people often, a shy dog may not be the right choice for you. A dog that is outgoing and friendly towards new people might be a better choice.
Look at shelters. Contact breeders. Visit pet stores. Ask about the dog's personality/temperament.