Excerpt from Selecting the Best Dog Breed for Your Family Rebecca Sparling First, you need to ask yourself why you’re interested in owning a dog. Figuring out how a dog fits into your lifestyle is the first step in selecting the correct breed. Many people interested in adopting a dog are looking for companionship. Mixed-breed dogs are often excellent companions. Smaller breeds like the bichon frisé and the beagle are among the most affectionate dogs. Other people adopt dogs for security reasons. Though many dogs are protective of their owners, some breeds are better at sounding an alarm than others. German shepherds, rottweilers, and doberman pinschers are natural guardians. Their barks will alert you when something out of the ordinary occurs. After reading this article Jim went out and bought a doberman pinscher. Jim PROBABLY wants a dog A) primarily to guard his home. B) as a friendly and loving companion. C) that could win famous dog show awards. D) that will be friendly with little children.