If your dog had a choice it would eat straight out of the can or the bag their food comes in however in our more civilised world owners tend to opt for a bowl.
However, which one should you buy? Purchasing a new dog bowl for your pooch can be a bit of a nightmare as there are now so many different styles, shapes and materials to choose from.
Here are a few tips for choosing the correct bowl for your dog so that the whole experience is more enjoyable.

• Select a bowl that is the correct size and height for your dog.
  For example if you have a dog with long ears then select a bowl with slanted edges.
  Likewise if you have a tall dog, such as a Great Dane, then you may need to buy a bowl and stand so that it is more comfortable for your dog to eat his or her dinner.
  
• Choosing what the bowl is made from.
  This can also be dependent on your dog's personality for example, if you have a dog that runs around if his bowl (a popular trait amongst puppies) then buy a heavy weight bowl otherwise it could get very messy as your dog grows up!! If your dog is a bit hyperactive and has a habit of breaking a bowls then opt for a plastic or a metal version.
  Does your dog wolf his food down will perhaps go for a bowl that prevents this.
  
• Making sure the bowl does not slid.
  This can be done in one of two ways, either buying a bowl with a non-skid surface on the bottom or having a non-slip mat below the bowl.
  Let's face it even the best behaved dog can be a tad messy at times.
  
• The size of the bowl - again an important factor bearing in mind that the water bowl should be double the size of your dogs food bowl that way they will not run out if you're not about.
  

Once you have considered the above the next thing you need to think about is how it should look.
Do you want it to blend in with the surroundings or do you want a statement bowl, sometime that perhaps will bring a smile to your face.
Or do you want a style that will reflect your dogs personality if so you may want to consider having the bowl personalised.
Whatever option you choose make sure, for example that if the bowl is painted that the paints used are not toxic and can it be washed in a dishwasher, something many people opt for due to their busy lives.
You may also want to have your dogs name put of the bowl after all he or she is part of the family!