As much as I advocate people going to shelter's to find a dog to bring home, I do try and let them know the very basics and facts about those places.

Whilst kennels and shelter's are a good place to go to first when getting a dog, they can be very misleading. Too many people go along and as first time owners, usually take home the wrong dog for them. Sadly, this is becoming more and more common and with a bit of know how, it would seriously reduce the chances of you taking the dog back in a few months, only for it to be destroyed.

First bit of advice is to research as much as possible about the dog that will suit you. If you are a lazy bugger who doesn't ever want to walk, don't go and get a Border Collie, Greyhound or Labrador, the dog has far too much energy and whilst its great to think "but he'll get me fit" as a healthy option, a think many of us can agree that you'll get bored quickly and fancy lying in when he is barking for his daily walk.

Match the dog to your lifestyle, don't get a dog on the basis that you can match to his lifestyle. It will only work out badly for the dog.

Don't pick a dog on the way he looks. Sure, that border collie looks beautiful, who wouldn't want him? Well, how about you when he starts getting overexcited, nips your heels and constantly tries to herd your kids into the corner of the room showing his teeth?

Also never pick the runt in the corner who is so shy that he is hiding from you, chances are, he won't be any less shy when you take him home and he fear bites you and causes himself more mental anguish. The same reason why you shouldn't pick the cute, excited looking doggy barking at you through the cage, he isn't communicating with you. Don't pick the one who is getting all excited either by looking like he enjoys life and everything in it making a fuss for the same reason.

The best possible dog is the one who isn't shying away and the one who isn't over excited, get the one who comes to greet you calmfully, with a happy but non-excited look about him, the one that appreciates you coming over, but doesn't quite care if you do or you don't. That is the dog that is comfortable being a dog, who isn't scared of everything and yet, isn't overexcited by everything.

Seeing as most shelters and kennels have very little information about the dogs when they come in, I'd prefer to do my own analysis on a dog and I trust my information far better than I trust the shelter's information. For a start, I don't go in thinking every dog is great and would make a brilliant family pet, yet never seeing the dog with a family and doing nothing for the dog except tidying up its mess.

Use your noggin and you'll make the right choice as opposed to having to part ways because the dog is too much or not enough for your lifestyle. It's not fair.