Choosing your dog
Its a tough decision, choosing a dog. If you want a dog purely for companionship then you should maybe check out a rescue centre, from there you can rehome a dog which has maybe been abandoned or the owner couldn't take care of it anymore. Here are a few sites for rescue centres in the UK:
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/
http://www.rspca.org.uk/home
http://bluecross.org.uk/
Just remember that if you do decide to rehome a dog be patient, some of these dogs have had a tough start in life.
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/
http://www.rspca.org.uk/home
http://bluecross.org.uk/
Just remember that if you do decide to rehome a dog be patient, some of these dogs have had a tough start in life.
Getting a dog from a breeder
Getting a dog from a rescue home is a great idea, but some people prefer getting a dog from a breeder. Breeders are people who breed dogs and sell them. Normally you get to go and see the puppy before you buy it. When you go check that the breeders house is clean and puppy proofed and make sure the breeder is handling the pups well. Make sure you do not get your dog from a puppy farm (also known as a puppy mill) because even though you think you are helping the dog come away from the horrible places you are actually giving the breeder more money to buy more dogs to breed again. A puppy farm is a place where people just breed about 50 dogs at a time non stop just for money, the dogs are alot of the time starving or even dead. There is something here in the UK (and in america although over there its called the american kennel club) called the kennel club. If a dog is registered with the kennel club it is most likely to be safe, and not from a puppy farm. If a breeder is an acclamied breeder it means they are very good. Here is a website to help you find a good breeder!:http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/findapuppy/Default.aspx
Cross-breeds
You could also consider getting a cross-breed (designer dog). This means that it is a cross between two dogs! For example you can get a Labrador cross poodle which is a labradoodle. It has the brains of a lab and the coat of a poodle, perfect for people who want a lab but have allergies!