She's pretty amazing. I was nervous about getting a dog, but she's just so super, despite some initial issues when we brought her home. She's just blossomed here. Here she is in a much more "typical for her" now pose.

As a former Humane Society volunteer here in AZ, I can say pit bulls and Chihuahuas tend to be the most common in shelters here, and as a very happy owner of one of each, you really can't go wrong with either one, with caveats. First, you need the space and the money: dogs are living creatures who need care like us.…

Great article with real honesty about breeds. Most breeds are the result of years of selection of certain behaviors, and it can take a lot of training to get them to behave otherwise (and they still might not at times). The cute little white puppy in the video preview (American Eskimo) grows into this, and is really…

Always look at a shelter first unless you absolutely need a dog with a pedigree (perhaps for breeding purposes yourself, in which case you're either a horrible person for wanting to do this as an amateur, or you're an expert who should thoroughly know what they're doing and thus not the person this article is written…

A reason to share doggie photos? Don't mind if I do: This is Pax! (image uploader is being a dick).
We got Pax from a shelter in Queens a little over a year ago. He's pretty awesome, super trainable as long as you have food and the most nervous dog I've ever met. Indefinitely Wild over at Gizmodo had a similar article,…

Almost forgot to mention something crucial!

I'm sure other breeds have it, but we rescued our Beagle from a Beagle rescue organization. It's Houston Beagle Rescue and they're awesome. All their dogs are fostered and you can go online to look at pictures and read blurbs about each dog's personality. Their fees are very reasonable and they work to not just make…

I'd like to emphasize HAVE AN EMERGENCY FUND. Between our Frenchie and our Bug (pug/boston mix), we've easily spent $3000 in emergency care in the past 5 years.

All I'll say is that if you decide to get a dog, get a rescue dog. We rescued Jack when he was about 1 year old. Luckily he wasn't abused, but very neglected by his previous family. We've had him for a little over a year now and he's got it good now... and he knows it too. Not sure how they know, but they do.

Getting a puppy is awesome. Remember they quickly turn into dogs.

Also remember that if you really want a specific breed, breeders aren't your only option. Lots of purebred dogs end up in shelters too, or check with breed specific rescues. Also most dogs are in shelters because of problems with the owners not problems with the dog.

Another way to "test drive" a dog in your house is to foster through DogsonDeployment.org Military members who are single and deployed often have to surrender their beloved pets because there is no place for them to go. Our family watched a wonderful Shepherd-Corgi mix and gave us a taste of what life with a dog…

Truly consider ALL the expenses. Wanna go to grandma's at Thanksgiving or Christmas, and there's no place for the dog? It's going to cost you. Here in D/FW, a good bonded & insured pet sitter will cost you at least $20-25 per visit. You love your puppy, so you're gonna want at least 2, maybe 3 visits a day, and…

Hey, I love puppies as much as the next guy, but they are not for the inexperienced dog owner. If you want a dog but can't commit 100% of your time, I'd recommend an older shelter dog that is even tempered. Just like I'd only buy a brand new car in some very certain circumstances, I'd only get a puppy if it was…

Great article. That first decision of whether you want a dog is super important. I know of many, MANY, people who get a puppy without taking every single thing into consideration. Not only that, but they got the puppy from some backyard breeder and, of course, the poor pup is plagued with illnesses that is then a…

It can be a little more risky, but if rescuing a dog is important to you, do it! If you're a first time owner, you just might want to consider easing into adopting a rescue by signing up to foster one first. By fostering, you're giving a rescued dog a home temporarily until it goes to its forever home. This gives you…

Also, don't forget that you can both get the breed that you want AND get a shelter dog. It's usually a longer process, but for many first-time dog owners the extra wait is probably good - you can spend the time buying all the equipment your dog will need and preparing your house for your new companion.

1. Golden Retriever > all if you have kids. But I have one so Im biased. German Shepherds and Labs also excellent choices. I also have a lab so again, bias.

Before and After of the dog we rescued. Here's somewhat of a backstory from my wife:

Lil' Rosie Perez get's nothin but the best