Senior Caroline Thompson, dog whisperer, offers list of qualities for perfect puppy

Dogs. They are our entertainers, manual laborers, shoulders to cry on and most importantly our best friends. That is why it is absolutely crucial to choose the perfect pooch. Fortunately, my family has mastered the art of finding that destined dog, and if you consider these tips, you too will have the furry little creature you always dreamed of. When purchasing a canine always consider:

Appearance. No, you’re not being shallow. The first question you ask yourself should always be, “Will this dog look good in my yard?” Then, make sure he appears somewhat tough. Dogs should guard the family and you don’t want the big dogs picking on him. So little yippers are out, sorry.

Name. When examining your dog, pick a name and try it out. I suggest picking a gender neutral name just in case that adorable boy turns out to be a girl. Hey, it happens. Our golden retriever Reagan still sleeps with the pink bed we originally bought her…oops, I mean him.

Gender. You’re either a boy or girl family. My family is obviously a male dog kind of family. Even when we try to get a girl we somehow end up with a boy. (You would think that asking to see only the female puppies at a farm would guarantee a girl. I guess Reagan tricked us all). So, how do you know which gender is right for you? Well, do you like a weird, rowdy and even obnoxious personality? Get a boy.

Durability. Who wants to lug a dog to the vet’s clinic week after week? No, you want your dog to withstand anything. Our old laborador retriever Scout ate bags of chocolate, squirrels and chunks of wooden fence and was completely fine. That could have been messy had he been a terrier.

Independence. The last thing you need is to be constantly answering to your dog. Scout was independent enough to let himself in when he felt like it by ripping down the screen door. When he wanted outside of the yard, he broke a large hole in our fence. Reagan entertains himself by catching his tail. No, not chasing but actually catching it and continuing to circle with the object in his mouth that he may or may not be aware is attached to his body.

Work ethic. Animals were put on this planet for us, so put them to work! Reagan retrieves the newspaper every day. And good ol’ Scout was always great for pulling you along on rollerblades (though, I would avoid this if you happen to have squirrels or other distractions in your neighborhood). And don’t forget: all dogs make great vacuum cleaners!

Snug-ability. People often make the mistake of thinking that big dogs can’t snuggle and sit on your lap. WRONG! Scout regularly slept with me during a thunderstorm (after letting himself in as discussed earlier). Having a 150-pound dog on top of you is like your very own heater. Reagan, our full-grown golden retriever, is quite the snuggler himself and enjoys being propped up on my hip like an oversized baby.

Confidence. Your dog needs to be comfortable in his fur. Reagan came home from the groomer’s one day and proudly showed off his baby blue bows attached to his ears. This Christmas, Santa brought him lavender booties to wear in the snow, which he also struts proudly. Those things along with his pink bed make for a dog that is certainly sure of himself.

And finally, friendliness. The goal here is to have that “neighborhood dog.” You know, like “My Dog Skip.” Just be aware that for some odd reason neighbors seem to be a little more intimidated by a 150 pound tank of furry muscle running towards them rather than an adorable, little terrier. But don’t let this stop your big dog from getting to know the locals. Scout often enjoyed doughnuts from construction workers on our street and the weekly front seat ride from a Leawood mom who “found the big, sweet animal wandering alone and just had to pick him up.”

So, there you have it: all the qualities that will lead to that perfect puppy. And you thought buying a dog had to do with price, health and other minor details…