Which is the Breed for You?

Web sites like Selectapet, Pooch Picker and Dog Breed Selector aim to match you with a breed that fits your lifestyle. These questionnaires have their limitations, for example, it's often impossible to know what breeds are in their database and your perfect match may be a less common breed that will never come up.

And the questions are necessarily simplistic. If you live in a townhouse in the innercity, it's not going to let you have a working dog even though you might be able to provide hours of daily exercise in the huge city park across the street.

But it does raise the questions potential dog owners need to think through.

• Can the dog be kept secure in the yard?
• How long will it be alone each day?
• Will it have to get on with children or the elderly?
• Will it need grooming?
• How much exercise will it need?
• What will it's job be?

I want a dog that provides an element of protection, without my having to worry about it biting people or attacking other pets. I'm in the innercity, with a small but secure yard. I can work from home most days. My dog will have regular contact with a range of people from young to old, but won't have to live with them. It will get two or more hours of exercise each day, but I couldn't be bothered with anything other than an occasional quick brush.

It's job will be to be my companion - to participate in some sort of dog sport such as agility, obedience, tracking or herding; to lie on the sofa while I sit on the floor and read; to clean up food spills; to take up the space under my desk; to wake me at first light; to greet me enthusiastically when I get home.