There are lots of resources out there to help you pick the right dog breed for you. After you've made that choice, though, comes an even more important decision. How do you pick the right individual dog?

Sure, Golden Retrievers are loyal, amicable and popular, but how do you know the one you're picking isn't the mutant exception to the rule that will turn your life into a nightmare?

Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you pick not just the right dog breed, but the right dog.

Don't Order a Dog from a Far Off Breeder

I can't emphasize this enough. Many people settle on a certain breed of dog, then just search online for breeders. Typically, the breeder with the cutest puppy pictures wins. Too often, a new puppy is chosen simply because a certain breeder had one available. You may get to see some pictures, and a subjective (and usually biased towards the positive) description of the puppy's personality. And hey, it may work out.

Or, it could turn out like our neighbors' new dog. They spent over $1000 on a Newfoundland puppy from a world-renowned breeder that was 1200 miles away. They were lucky to even get a puppy as soon as they did, such was the demand for this breeder's dogs. Six months later, the Newfie was taking over their house. This was an active couple with kids and a huge house. It didn't matter. By the time a year rolled around, they were desperately trying to give the dog away.

Takeaway: Getting to spend actual time with the actual dog before you make the purchase is the most important thing in choosing a new dog, regardless of breed.

Don't Diss Shelter Dogs

Many people have this romanticized notion of having a regal, purebred dog with perfect bloodlines. Too often, this is more about making a statement than finding a great dog.

Much of the time, purebred dogs are more disease prone, oftentimes less friendly and maybe even less intelligent than the simple mutt. Why? Overbreeding. Many breeders are more concerned about profit than making sure dogs are bred ethically. Purebreds are often the result of inbreeding between limited genetic stock. Without variations in genetic lineage, genetic weaknesses get reinforced instead of getting weeded out naturally.

Turns out, nature knows better than breeders. It may not always produce the most elegant dogs, but they're less prone to physical and personality disorders than a given dog show winner.

Takeaway: You can save money and have better odds with a shelter dog.

Spend Time With the Dog First

This is a corollary to the first point above. Not only should you not buy a dog from a far off breeder, you should spend actual time with the specific dog before making the choice, regardless of where you get the dog. This allows you to get a feel for the dog's personality.

You wouldn't marry someone you've never met before, would you? You could be with this dog for 10+ years. Shouldn't you take the time to get to know your potential family member first?

Is she active or docile?

Either way, the dog has to match your lifestyle. If you sit at home all day, you don't want to pick a hyper-active pet. If you are always going places and expect your dog to be with you, be sure your dog can keep up.

Does he seem friendly towards kids?

This has always been crucial for me. I have 6 kids (yes, intentionally). We have always brought some of the younger ones with us when meeting a new pet. It is crucial to gauge a pet's reaction to unpredictable kiddos, as this speaks volumes about the prospective pooch's good will and patience. To be sure, you want to keep your kids from being abusive, but it helps tremendously that a dog is the forgiving type.

How does she interact with other dogs?

If you're buying a puppy, it's a good idea to observe how she plays with other dogs in the litter. Does she play on the same level as the others? Or does she have to dominate all other dogs? Or does she shy away and avoid interaction? If you already have a dog (or even a cat), it's also wise to bring the pet with seniority along to see how they get along.

Is the dog's crate area trashed?

It's amazing the difference you can see in personality just by observing how a dog treats his surroundings. Often, the dog's crate area is a microcosm of what your house may look like once the pup comes home. Of course, puppies are typically chewers until a certain age. However, if the dog seems to tear things up more than those around him, it could mean trouble.

Also, keep in mind that this observation isn't always possible. You may have just arrived after a thorough cleaning, so if all kennels look like they've never even been lived in, don't rely on this observation.

Takeaway: Time spent together before the adoption is better than time spent wishing you had gotten a different dog.

Pay Attention to the Dog's Social Needs Level

This varies tremendously even within breeds. This is also a tough one to judge in typical dog adoption venues. Pet stores are overrun with tapping and poking customers, often pushing even the most socially-desirous dogs at the back of the cage. Dog breeders' dogs are by necessity not in the same home environment that they would be in after adoption. Shelter dogs are often just plain neglected, so even reclusive dogs are often eager to see human affection.

Nevertheless, it's important to try to gauge if the dog is a good match with the level of attention you (or your family) can give. Is the potential pup not happy until someone is petting him all the time? Or does the dog care less as to what's going on around him? Be sure you evaluate how well the social interaction needs of you and your new dog match up.

Takeaway: It's not easy, but pay attention to how needy the dog seems, and be sure you can deliver.

Pick a Dog, Not a Breed

In the end, it comes down to the individual dog, not the breed. Sure, dog breeds get all the attention because they're so vibrantly different.

You're going to be spending years with an individual dog's personality and quirks, not some perfect photo from the AKC's database.