As many people as there are in the world, there are likely to be as many reasons why they want to own a dog. When polling dog owners about the criteria they used for choosing Buster or Lola, the top five were:

• Loyalty

• Companionship/Unconditional Love

• Protection

• Love the breed

• Intelligence

If you are a new dog owner or considering adopting one and are not sure what breed to get or how to go about picking a dog, if those criteria are equally important to you, here are some tips to help you find the perfect dog for you.

Loyalty

Dogs are pack animals. Whether their pack solely consists of other canines or they're fortunate enough to live amongst humans, they live in a pack. Unless a dog was abused or trained to be an attack dog (red zone cases), dogs are by nature loyal. Indeed some dogs are one-owner animals, but most will be loyal to all members of your pack. From your pint-sized 3-year old to your spouse and you, once you establish yourselves as Lola's pack leaders, she will be loyal to all of you. Waiver, be wishy washy or try and humanize her, she'll love you, but not respect you as much as you need her to.

Companionship/Unconditional Love

If you have ever lived with a cat and know the feeling of being ignored or felt your Queen Sheba's love was conditional, you weren't imagining things. Her love is conditional based upon her needs at the moment and the fact that she most certainly was royalty in a past life. Apart from the fact that you can't entice Sheba to play fetch, go on a walk – on leash or off, when you want to pet her she is suddenly unavailable. Cats and dogs are just wired differently. Cats are by nature used to being adored and fawned over, while dogs live to serve. This is not breed specific but rather this is dog vs. cat specific. Any dog you get, assuming you train him or her and make exercise a part of your daily lives, will offer you unconditional love and companionship.

Protection

Indeed some dogs are better for this than others. While it's true that you can train a Golden Retriever, the world's friendliest dog, to be a vicious killing machine (not sure why anyone would want to, but it's possible), generally speaking, they're not the breed of choice for protection. Oftentimes owners of Goldens joke that if a burglar were in their home and Sam is the only one at home, provided you promise to pet her, play a few rounds of fetch with her, she'll show you where all the silver, jewelry and most expensive electronics are. For a treat, she'll give you the combination to the safe.

If protecting your home is something you'd like to add to Buster's job description, consider a German Shepherd, a Rottweiller, a Doberman Pinscher or a Chihuahua. The last is said to be the most protective of them all; even if it is all just a figment of his imagination.

Love the Breed

For some people there is only one breed that will work. Based on previous experience, owners know what works for them and what breeds don't. Even if you have never owned a dog, surely your neighbors, your friends, your sister, brother or cousins do. You have formed opinions about what you like in a breed and what you're not all together pleased with. Maybe the hypoallergenic fur of a poodle, the disposition of a Labrador, the protective qualities of a German Shepherd or the look of a Coonhound are reasons why you won't consider another breed.

Intelligence

If you want to own a dog who is as much intelligent as she is protective, beautiful, sweet, and willing to play ultimate Frisbee with you, here are some breeds you'll want to consider. These are the top ten most intelligent breeds.

1. Border Collie

2. Poodle

3. German Shepherd

4. Golden Retriever

5. Doberman Pinscher

6. Shetland Sheepdog

7. Labrador Retriever

8. The Papillion

9. Rottweiller

10. Australian Cattle Dog

Now this is not to imply that your beloved Saluki, Greyhound, English Bulldog or Heinz 57 mutt that you picked up from the pound isn't intelligent. All dogs are intelligent in their own way. Some, because of what they were bred to do just have a few more brain cells than others. But make no mistake, all dogs possess intelligence, this list just represents the most intelligent breeds.

Hopefully based on the all information you can pick out the best dog for you. The bottom line is this: all dogs deserve a chance to go home with you. And all will be grateful you brought him or her home and shower you with affection to show you just how much.