Owning a pet has many benefits. The key to a healthy and satisfying relationship is choosing the right pet for you and your family. It’s easy to fall in love with a cute puppy or kitten, but there are responsibilities and unforeseen challenges in pet ownership.

Once you’ve decided on the type of pet, take the time to select a specific pet based on temperament and personality. Here are some pointers:

Dogs

From a breeder: Observe how the puppies react when you are first introduced to the litter and how they react to each other. You don’t necessarily want the first puppy that comes over to investigate, it could prove too assertive later. Avoid any that cower or shy away from any interaction. A little hesitation is okay, as long as the puppy is confident enough to eventually come over and interact with you. Sit on the floor with the puppies. Don’t choose a puppy that is pushy, or the runt. Make sure you are comfortable with your choice. Spend a few minutes alone with the puppy before making your final decision.

From a shelter: Puppies usually are adopted quickly—you may have to check back regularly to find exactly what you want. If you adopt an older dog, more than four months old, you’ll have a better idea how big the dog will get and its energy level. Spend some minutes alone with any dog that interests you and make sure the dog relaxes with you.

Cats

From a breeder: Make sure a kitten was with its mother and the litter until at least seven weeks old; preferably 12 weeks. A kitten needs companionship in the early weeks to learn. See how a kitten reacts with other kittens and with you. Choose one that is neither too timid nor overly playful.

From a shelter: A shelter environment can make it difficult to assess a cat’s true temperament. If possible, remove the cat from its cage and spend at least 15 minutes with it in a room where you can interact. Kneel down a few feet away and call the cat several times. Don’t make eye contact for more than a few seconds; this can threaten the cat. Avoid a cat that won’t approach you or make eye contact, or one that acts defensively and hisses and growls. Ideally, you want it to approach you slowly, sniff your hand, and then rub its body against your hand.