Thinking about bringing a four-legged friend into your life? Owning a dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience. But its not cheap, by any means.

According to research by Rover.com , new dog owners can expect to spend $1,487 in up-front expenses. After that, caring for Fido will cost an average of $153 per month, plus an extra $730 in annual expenses.

Of course, these are just averages. The specific breed you choose could be much more or less expensive to own. And aside from money , you want to be sure that your dog is a good fit for your home and family, too. So to figure out what type of breed would best suit your budget and lifestyle, consider the following questions.

Are you active or a couch potato?

When choosing a dog, you should make sure that your energy levels match. Breeds such as Dalmatians, Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Akitas and Border Collies, for instance, are among the most energetic. Lack of activity can lead to behavioral issues like aggression or destructive behavior, explained Lauren McDevitt, co-founder of the pet-finding site Good Dog . For this reason, its absolutely vital that anyone bringing a high-energy dog into their home is willing to make the physical and financial commitment to meeting their dogs needs.

If you have your sights set on a high-energy pooch but dont have the time or energy needed to keep him active, you might consider hiring a dog walker. However, dog walking services arent cheap. You can expect to pay $15 to $20 for a 20-minute walk, or $20 to $30 for a 30-minute walk. Some dog walkers might offer discounts to regular customers.

Keep in mind that not all dogs can handle a ton of exertion, though. For example, brachycephalic breeds (a fancy term for dogs with smushy faces) cant take too much exercise or heat because the shape of their faces makes breathing more difficult.