Depending on the type of cat or dog, most pets can be considered teenagers or young adults from the age of six months to 16 months. These puppies and kittens are still growing and developing through adolescence, but are beginning to show the direction that their individual personalities will likely take. They're still high-energy kids at this stage and will test your patience at every turn.

If you don't have the patience or energy for a young puppy or kitten, you should consider an adult dog or cat. Pets between the ages of one year and eighteen months can be ideal. They tend to learn more quickly, are more coordinated, have better control over their physical functions, and can have more predictable natures.

Before committing to any pet, be absolutely sure that you can meet his needs. Nothing is more heartbreaking than a dog abandoned at a shelter because the owner did not realize the time and effort it would take to be a responsible pet owner.

It takes time and effort to ensure that you choose the right dog for you. Do the homework necessary to find a compatible breed first, rather than subjecting the family and dog to the heartaches that result from incompatibility.

Previous Advice on Selecting a Puppy.