There's much fun in the Behny household these days as parents Josh and Melissa of Fishers, Ind., raise their 1-year-old son, Finian. And many of the clan's humorous moments arise when Finn plays with the family dog, Guinness. "The hard part is making sure the dog doesn't run the baby over when they're going after the same ball," Josh Behny says. "Also, we have to keep the baby from eating the dog food or dumping the water bowl over his head."

According to the Humane Society of the United States, pet-friendly families like the Behnys have become increasingly common. Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist for the Humane Society, reports that there are 77.6 million cats and 65 million dogs who have become man, woman and child's best friend. "There are many families who own multiple pets and who know the breeds they have well," she says. "Many parents have realized the importance of knowing if their animals are bred to be around children."

Here are 4 things to help you prepare and select a pet for your family:

Research is the first step for parents to decide if their family is ready for a new pet. Peterson, a former dog trainer, suggests doing homework before pet shopping. "If you have a beautiful garden, you might not want a terrier because they are bred to dig and hunt out small rodents," she says. "It's very important to look beyond the physical appearance of an animal and be educated about what it is bred to be."

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