No matter where you go to get a dog or puppy you should give a few simple tests to see if they have a personality you like. Make sure to do these when they are the only animal in the room.

1. When entering the meet and greet area the dog should approach you but not be so rambunctious as to bowl you over. He should also not cower or be standoffish.
2. Crouch beside the dog and gently stroke him from head to back. He should cuddle or squirm a little.
3. Clap your hands and see if he will come to you. Walk away and see if he follows.
4. Throw a ball for him. He should at least investigate it. If he brings it to you he may be trained to play fetch or very willing to interact. If he takes off with it, he may be more independent.

The following test can be applied to puppies at about 8 weeks of age in conjunction with the previous tests.

1. Gently hold the puppy upside down on his back. He should look at you and wiggle a little. He shouldn't fight you or bite at you.
2. Hold him under his belly a foot off the ground. He should struggle a little, but not forcefully.
3. Don't pick the most outgoing, the bully or the shyest/quietest one. Choose the middle ground.

Try to go in during the week when it is quieter. This will give you more quiet time with the animals and with the people who have been handling them while they have been at the shelter. Shelter workers are great people to talk to, they work closely with the animals that are up for adoption and will be knowledgeable about the various personalities. Give yourself plenty of time to look around; don't go in 30 minutes before closing. Don't be afraid to go back several times to find just the right one for you.

If you have a specific idea of a kind of dog you might like, terrier mix, lab mix, small, giant, whatever fits the bill, ask to be put on a list so you can be called if something fitting that description becomes available. Enjoy meet and greet time. You should be relaxed and comfortable with your choice. Your gut feeling may be the best tool you have.

If you have your heart set on a particular breed or breed mix this is a great way to go. some of these organizations can be located on the Internet. Some of the screening process can be done on-line and you may be able to find pictures and descriptions of adoptable animals. Other breed groups will need to be contacted by phone.

Rescue dogs are often screened for personality and temperament. They are usually put in a foster home for a period of time to help determine what kind of living situation might best suit them For example if they are good with kids, cats, or are couch potatoes.

Don't forget to interview the Rescue Organization itself. Ask what personality tests it gives, how it places animals, and what its success rate is. A good Rescue Organization will interview you and your family to see if their breed is a good match for you. Once that is determined, there may be home visits by the Rescue. This may be followed by meet and greets with the animals. This is all done so that they can find the perfect placement for these animals that have already been traumatized by abandonment before.

If possible visit a few different breeders even if they don't have the breed you are looking for. This will give you a good baseline of what a breeding kennel should be like when looking at your favored breed. After contacting the breeder make sure to visit them and meet the puppies. It is preferable for the parents to be on the premises and that you meet them. Doing this can give you a reasonable idea to both size and temperament of the adult dog and future of you puppy.

Don't be offended if the breeder asks a lot of probing questions. A good breeder will be interviewing you as much or more than you are them. They want to make sure you're a responsible person and that the pup will be a good match for you and your family. Do the tests mentioned above. Ask about certifications for eyes and hip dysplasia (especially in large breeds) if the breed has tendency for them. Ask about the general health of the parents, have they had previous litters and have those pups had any health problems? Ask for references from previous buyers. Researching the breed ahead of time can give you a good idea of what other questions to ask.

You should visit more than once. The puppies' environment should always be clean. They should have good records for the animals. The pups should be examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated and wormed prior to sale. The pup should have been wormed at least every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age and have at least their first vaccines at 6 weeks of age. If older than 8 weeks of age, the pup should also have 8 week and possibly 12 week vaccinations. The pup should not be released until it is at least 6 weeks of age and some states, such as Maine, the pup can not be released until it is 8 weeks of age.

Take the breeder's advice about which dog you should take. They have a good idea about the individual personalities of the pups. Don't take the kids the first couple of times you visit. Their wishes may distract you from the best choice. Take the kids on subsequent visit after you have narrowed down the choices to a couple of pups. This will let you cull out the one's you know will not work and give the kids a sense of ownership in the pup.

We advise against buying from a pet shop. You will not be able to meet the parents of the potential pet and getting an accurate medical history of the parents will be difficult at best. Often these dogs are more expensive, less healthy, and very difficult to train due to a lack of proper socialization. Buyers for some pet shops are often purchasing the dogs from puppy mills. There are great alternatives in the form of animal shelters, breed rescue organizations and breeders.