For many, the idea of adopting or 'rescuing' a dog carries with it a certain image. Some people mistakenly look at dog adoption as if it's buying cheap, discounted or broken goods. But, according to an initiative between national dog adoption website DogsBlog.com and Butcher's Pet Care, a UK family company that prides itself in having fed generations of family dog, with tasty recipes that are free from any artificial colours flavours or preservatives; nothing could be further from the truth.

As more and more dogs find themselves, through no fault of their own, inside the British dog shelter system, the image of the 'rescue dog' is in need of an update.

No longer are shelters the preserve of the 'problem dog', but they are packed with dogs of all types, from all manner of backgrounds. Here's the eight top tip in our ten part series guiding you through everything you need to know – here we walk about the importance of grooming and being prepared.

Your main priority when preparing to become a dog owner is research. You'll need to know as much about the dogs you're considering as possible. Their likely dietary requirements, their energy level, the potential medical problems and their likely personality are all key things to understand. Did you know that Greyhounds don't require any more exercise than your average large breed? How many fewer Greyhounds do you think would be in shelters if people knew this? There are lots of myths about dogs that are so easily busted when you do a little research.

Learning about dogs is fascinating, especially when you approach it from the viewpoint of a potential owner. Discover their history to understand what makes them tick. Everything about your new dog has historical significance – from the length of the coat to the games he or she will want to play. Embrace this rich history and discover as much as you can about your new dog. Do so before you go to visit potential pets, as it's very hard to be pragmatic after spending an hour with a friendly puppy.

The really great thing about adopting a dog from a shelter is, you will receive brilliant, informative advice from the people who know 'your' dog best, the shelter staff. Always be prepared to listen to their guidance on whether a particular dog is likely to suit your lifestyle.

There are an estimated 100k dogs in adoption centres around Britain. Sometimes dogs arrive in rescue centres through natural causes such as owners passing away. Very often though dogs are simply abandoned for no other reason that poor decisions on behalf of hasty owners. Please, please, please take on board all of the information about what it takes to maintain a dog in a happy home. Dogs really are a lifelong commitment and they deserve the security of a stable home environment. You CAN get a superb, lifelong companion from a rescue…but be absolutely certain you are ready for the challenge. If you are, you will enjoy a relationship like no other!

National Dog Adoption Month is running this September, be part of something special – bring joy, adopt a dog. Visit www.dogsblog.com to find the dog of your dreams.