Hi, I’m Kelly.

	Whether you think a Chihuahua, like this one, or a Great Dane is right breed for you, it’s important to find out about different breeds recognized by the AKC.

I wanted a puppy for as long as I can remember. When I asked my mom, her answer was always the same. “You can have a dog when you’re responsible enough to help take care of a dog.”

“What does ‘responsible’ mean?” I asked.

“It means you understand how to take care of a dog by giving him fresh water and food every day and that you will go for a walk or play with your dog every day,” she said. “Being a responsible dog owner means you have to give your dog lots of care and attention, not just when he’s a puppy, but every day for the entire life of your dog.”

Last summer, I had finally shown mom that I could be responsible to have a dog. I started taking the mail in every day and helping with chores around our home without being asked. Finally mom said the magic words. “Kelly, I’m proud of how responsible you’ve become and think you’re ready to have a dog.”

I was so happy. I wanted my dog that very afternoon! And that’s when I learned my first lesson about being a responsible dog owner: It is important to learn about different kinds or breeds of dogs to find the right dog for your family.

That afternoon, we started our search for the perfect best friend. We turned on the computer and went to www.akc.org, the American Kennel Club website.

	Being a responsible dog owner means you have to give your dog care and attention every day for the entire life of your dog.

Wow. I couldn’t believe how many different breeds of dogs there are -- more than 150, and lots I’d never even heard of! Each breed is different, from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane that’s bigger than I. Being different isn’t just about how the breeds look. Each breed has unique temperaments or personalities.

I read a lot and talked about the traits we wanted in a dog.

My family likes to be outside and around the water, whether it’s a lake, pond, ocean or pool. We decided a medium-sized, outgoing, friendly, active, intelligent, playful (but gentle) dog who loves the water would make a great match for our family. I also wanted a dog that could play fetch. We narrowed down our choices to different breeds in the Sporting Group of dogs. We decided on a Lab, or Labrador Retriever.

The next step was finding a responsible breeder to get our puppy from. Click here for Part II.