City dog -- an oxymoron? I used to think so. Then I moved to a city with a dog.

I was surprised to learn that city dogs live very comfortably in small apartments (and so do their owners). City dogs introduce you to your neighbors and force you to get out and explore your neighborhood.

After living with dogs in apartments and talking to dozens of owners in my urban dog parks, I have come up with the following 5 reality checks.

(1) Size of the dog vs. size of your apartment

Size is not important (unless your landlord or condo board has rules).

How big is too big? I have met 70-pound couch potatoes and 9-pound balls of energy. Small dogs can be noisier and can shed more than big dogs -- sometimes!

Of course, in a 500-square-foot apartment, you may feel crowded if you invite a Great Dane to share your space. But some people who do.

(2) Exercise Needs

City dog -- an oxymoron? I used to think so. Then I moved to a city with a dog.

I was surprised to learn that city dogs live very comfortably in small apartments (and so do their owners). City dogs introduce you to your neighbors and force you to get out and explore your neighborhood.

After living with dogs in apartments and talking to dozens of owners in my urban dog parks, I have come up with the following 5 reality checks.

(1) Size of the dog vs. size of your apartment

Size is not important (unless your landlord or condo board has rules).

How big is too big? I have met 70-pound couch potatoes and 9-pound balls of energy. Small dogs can be noisier and can shed more than big dogs -- sometimes!

Of course, in a 500-square-foot apartment, you may feel crowded if you invite a Great Dane to share your space. But some people who do.

(2) Exercise Needs

If you suffer from allergies, you are not alone. Even though most people suffer from some type of allergy, whether it is food, plant, or pet, they can usually find a way to enjoy their lives, which in many cases, includes having a few pets. Depending on the severity of your allergies, you will be able to bring a dog into your home as long as you take the time to find the breed that is right for you.

City dog -- an oxymoron? I used to think so. Then I moved to a city with a dog.

I was surprised to learn that city dogs live very comfortably in small apartments (and so do their owners). City dogs introduce you to your neighbors and force you to get out and explore your neighborhood.

After living with dogs in apartments and talking to dozens of owners in my urban dog parks, I have come up with the following 5 reality checks.

(1) Size of the dog vs. size of your apartment

Size is not important (unless your landlord or condo board has rules).

How big is too big? I have met 70-pound couch potatoes and 9-pound balls of energy. Small dogs can be noisier and can shed more than big dogs -- sometimes!

Of course, in a 500-square-foot apartment, you may feel crowded if you invite a Great Dane to share your space. But some people who do.

(2) Exercise Needs

Once you have decided that you want to adopt a dog, the next step will obviously be to decide where you are going to buy it from. While pet shops are the most common and easily available points of purchase, the discerning buyer will rather go in search of a breeder. In fact, choosing the right breeder precedes choosing the right pup. The reputable breeder knows his or her pups better than anyone and can best match a pup's personality and abilities with an owner's personality and expectations.

So how do you set about finding the right breeder, the one who will be able to fix you up with a puppy who is healthy and in sync with your personality. Well, the first thing you should do is start enquiring from other pet owners in your area. A satisfied dog owner is your best guarantee to the quality of a breeder. Ask around and you are sure to be able to obtain the name of one or more reputable breeders.