For years, your kids have begging for a dog. You’ve been able to put them off with a cat, a hamster or even some fishes. But now, you can’t put it off any longer. You need to bring a canine member aboard.

While most dogs can make a wonderful, lifelong companion for your family, man’s best friend comes in all shapes, sizes, grooming needs and personalities. Before selecting the newest addition to your family, don’t forget to do some research to know what type of dog is compatible with your family and your lifestyle.

Here are some things you should keep in mind when choosing the right dog for you and your family.

Consider your daily routine

All dogs require proper grooming and care. When choosing your dog, you should consider the amount of time you can spend in taking care of your pet.

Remember, dogs need exercise to stay healthy. If you don’t have time to walk your dog on a daily basis, avoid breeds like Jack Russell terriers, border collies, Labrador retrievers and huskies. Also, some dogs needs to be groomed several times a month. If you can’t commit to that, you might want to get dogs with shorter coats.

Living situation

The type of dog you choose will greatly depend on your living situation. If you live in an apartment, it might be best to choose smaller breeds. Larger breeds like St. Bernards, German Shepherds and Labrador need a significant amount of space for them to play and exercise. These dogs are more suitable for people with big backyards or those who live near parks or open spaces.

Is the dog good with kids?

Since you have kids, it is important to choose a breed that gets along well with children. Believe it or not, some of the larger dogs can be the most gentle with kids. St. Bernards, collies, hound dogs, mastiffs and boxers are well suited for kids. Retrievers also make great family dogs. This is especially true if they are well exercised. On the other hand, small dogs like spaniels, terriers, pinschers, chow chow and poodles are not well regarded as pets if you have kids.