As any dog owner will tell you, owning a canine friend takes up a lot of their time, patience and devotion which means if you're decided to get a dog, then you need to choose carefully so that your find a real soul mate and perfect canine counterpart to share some brilliant years with. However, the one thing you need to bear in mind is that although the look of a dog may be very tempting, it's their character and their breeding that counts!

Are You an Attention Seeker?

If you're the sort of person who loves being the centre of attention, you need to find a breed of dog that suits your personality to a tee. One of the nicest breeds around that boasts being eye-catching with loads of personality is theShar Pei. Another Chinese breed is the ChowChow which is one dog that will get you noticed that's for sure. However, the most eye-catching of the Chinese breeds in the Chinese Crested – these delightful hairless canines with tufts of silky fur on their heads, necks, tails and legs are just adorable creatures to have around.

Naturally, if you own a Chinese Crested you need to invest in certain items for them which includes sunscreen when the weather is hot because they are prone to sunburn and trendy coats to wear in the winter due to the fact they are hairless!

Do You Need a Constant Companion?

If you are thinking about getting a dog and would like a canine friend that will be your constant companion, there are many wonderful characters out there. However, one of the most endearing creatures is the minute Japanese Chin. These lovely dogs were originally bred to hunt with the larger of the breed being bigger than other spaniels but, the tiny Japanese Chins were always popular with Royals who adored to keep them as lap dogs!

You may be forgiven for thinking that because Chins are considered as a toy breed they are just lap dogs, but you'd be sorely mistaken. These little characters are clever beings that win your heart over in an instant. Chins adore being with their owners – all of the time – making them the ideal choice as a constant companion!

Are You The Life & Soul of a Party?

If you're the sort of person who is the life and soul of the party, then you need a canine friend to match your personality. You need a real “entertainer”, a dog that gets things going every time and there are plenty of breeds that do this extremely well. However, one breed that's exceptionally good at entertaining their owners is the Basenji !

Basenjis are highly intelligent and as a bonus they don't bark, instead they make a sound which is more like a delightful yodelling noise. First introduced to Crufts in 1937, this gorgeous African pooch is a real star in more ways than one. They are very cat-like in their behaviour and constantly wash themselves so they stay nice and clean. However, they do need masses of exercise to stay happy and healthy, but the one thing they are incredibly good at is entertaining their owners and keeping them on their toes!

Do You Need Lots of Love & Affection?

There are some wonderfully affectionate dogs on the planet so when it comes to finding one that really suits your personality, it can be a bit of a hard task. However, the Netherlands boasts one of the most loving and affectionate dogs around which is called the Keeshond.

Originally, Keeshonds were kept on barges on the river Rhine but this splendid canine was to become the mascot of the Patriots during the French Revolution. These hounds are extremely affectionate and will smother you with kisses whenever they can.

One very interesting fact about the Keeshond, is that they play a major role in helping people recover from any emotional trauma they have suffered and the breed was invaluable in 9/11 at helping people who had lived through the Trade Centre disaster!

Are You a True Athlete?

If you're the sort of person who loves the great outdoors and keeping fit, then you need to find a dog that will join in the fun! Again, there are many true athletes in the canine world, but one that tends to stand out from the crowd is the gorgeously sleek Hungarian hound called the Vizla !

The breed simply exudes elegance and glamour with their superb amber coloured eyes and lovely golden rust coats. They are truly more than just athletic, they are a triathlete being very adept at tracking, pointing and retrieving!

Are You a Really Picky Person?

If you are a bit of a picky person who likes things “just so”, then you need to find a dog that will match your personality to a tee which has to be in the form of a gorgeously regal Saluki !

These fleet-footed canines are truly magnificent and for centuries have been prized by the nomads of the desert. They are very cat-like in nature, loving to keep themselves immaculately clean – they are very picky about their appearance which means they are the perfect choice for people who love to have a spotlessly clean home!

Are You Looking For the Best Family Dog?

There are so many breeds that make wonderful family pets – from Labradors to Retrievers and many, many more. If you just cannot make up your mind, then consider a Bouvier des Flandres, the gentle shaggy giant that was originally bred in Belgium to herd cattle!

Not only is the Bouvier des Flandres a gorgeous family dog, they are very good at protecting the people they love too and are particularly gentle with children which puts them at the top of the list when it comes to family pets!

Conclusion

Naturally, all dogs are gorgeous creatures and can bring a smile to your face when you least expect them to. If you have made up your mind to offer a dog a good home, you might like to consider adopting one from a rescue centre. There are many breed shelters dotted around the country, which means if you have set your heart on a pedigree, you might find one in a shelter and what better way to start the New Year than to offer a needy dog a new and loving home!