The question parents clinch when they hear finally popped out of your child’s mouth: "Mommy, can we have a dog?" Your mind is probably imagining the disaster your house could become knowing how crazy things are already. At the same time you are probably having trouble saying no to your son or daughter. Nevertheless circumstances do not always allow you to add a furry friend to your family. Sometimes the responsibilities of owning a pet are just something you cannot manage at the moment. Because owning a pet is not as easy as movies make it seem. A dog, for example, needs to be walked, exercised, taken to the vet for shots and checks, it sheds, it needs a sitter for when you go away on trips and many other special needs which need lots of planning.

Before you even choose a pet you should investigate the temperament and behavior of the dog you want to adopt. Television and movie dogs act based on their training, whereas family dogs act based on the breed’s natural characters.

Labs, for example, are extremely sporty and active and they need a matching family who can keep up with their bouncy personalities. If you and your family are big fans of camping and hunting then this is the dog for you. Another high energy dog is the Dalmatian. They were originally bred to run along with carriage horses, which makes them very agile and have a lot of stamina. Thus, they require an owner who is ready for a run. The Husky, however, is the most energetic dog around. Coming from a long history of racing, these dogs literally cannot stay still. They are also very stubborn and may require some training classes as puppies, just to make sure that they grow up well behaved. The Chihuahua, on the other hand are more mellow, although they can be quite hyper at times. They generally crave attention and are quite territorial, which could make them unsuited companions for families with small children.

The list can go on, but the bottom line is that each dog breed comes with its own personality that needs to be evaluated before deciding to jump into owning a particular one. So, besides the general concerns over grooming, doctors’ appointments and daily care, a family needs to consider the personality match.

However, there is a mid way solution to this simple, yet very complicated question your kids ask. Instead of getting a real dog, get them a life like plush dog. It is as cute as the real one, without the added benefit of shedding, barking and vet expenses. Plush dogs are a great gift and fun to have around. Plus, your kids can first get used to taking care of a plush pet before taking on the responsibility of a real one. You can train "them" into taking care of the plush dog by assigning specific meal times, play times and such, so that they learn the responsibilities attached to owning a pet. They need to create space for the plush dog in their room, forcing them to keep everything in order so that the dog can have a place to "run" and "play" while they are away to school. They are the perfect substitute until the family is ready to welcome a real furry friend.