Many people want a puppy companion, but don’t have the time it takes to tend to them properly, particularly yo groom them. In that case, a Boston terrier or beagle is a good choice, a Bichon or Peke would be a bad choice.

If you don’t want a puppy that will shed a lot, or if you or someone in your house has allergies to pet dander, a long-haired dog is probably out of the question as well. The puppy for you will have short or smooth body hair that only sheds on occasion, which will leave your home cleaner, or might be one of the terriers that needs to be ‘stripped’, sort of like being plucked, because they have hair, not fur, which is quite wiry.

There are several hypoallergenic breeds of dog, like the Bichon, certain terriers, and other breeds with low shed volume, like cocker spaniels. Again, these dogs all have varying degrees of grooming required.

Learning to do it yourself is a great way to bond with your pet. Taking them for regular groomings can be an expensive proposition, especially when added onto the cost of overall good care for your pet.

If you want a long-haired breed of puppy, be prepared to vacuum often, maybe even every day in order to keep the hair under control.

Breeds like Weimaraner, Greyhound, Great Dane, Pug, and Dachshund have coats that are sleek and resist constant shedding, and are probably the best choice for someone who wants a short haired breed of dog. Obviously, some of these breeds are much larger than others!