From a rescue and shelter's point of view, a dog is a permanent family member.
Before you start looking for a dog for the family or just yourself, ask yourself one question, "On a daily basis, how much time am I going to be able to give to this animal?" If your answer is 2-3 hours that translates to "I get home and we'll watch TV together", then may I suggest getting a gold fish.
A dog has primal needs and one of them is walking. For a dog, this relieves tension, stress, anxiety, boredom, and allows some breeds to have a "purpose" while walking. It also helps dogs to be more social and puts them in the mainstream of their environment.
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If you are seriously thinking about adopting a dog, whether from a rescue or a shelter, think this through. Do you have the time for proper exercise with your dog? ... Do you have the finances if the dog develops medical problems? ... Do you have the finances to just take the dog for their annual vaccinations, altering and licensing? Is the breed I'm interested in the right type of energy level for both of us-dog and human? ... This adoption isn't about your needs only ... it will reflect in your dog's behavior.
