|
DOGS
Exam
Vaccines
Cats
Pocket Pets
Resources
Our Staff
Contact Information
Directions |
Choosing A Dog
There are many things to consider when
choosing a breed of dog. This page should give you a good idea of
what to think about when deciding which breed, if any, is right for
you. You can see our
Resources page
for links to other pages for descriptions of the various breeds of dogs.
When
considering dog ownership, the most important aspect to remember is your
original selection of your new puppy. The decisions you make before
bringing a dog into your home will make all the difference in the world.
What decisions need
to be made? There are many choices when it comes to owning a dog,
and each must be given a great deal of thought to ensure the proper fit
for you and your new puppy. Here are the most important decisions
that need to be made:
-
Should you own a dog at all? It
takes a certain kind of person to be a dog lover. There are a lot
of responsibilities when taking care of such a dependent animal.
Dogs must be fed everyday, have clean water at all times, have
vaccines and other medical treatment, heartworm prevention, flea and
tick control, baths, and current licensing.
You must consider if your lifestyle allows for this kind of commitment,
responsibility and love. If you have an active lifestyle, will
you include your dog? There are many dogs that require just as
much exercise as we do. Otherwise, if you are less active, there
is a smaller number of breeds for you to choose from. Do you
travel often or work long hours? Who will take care of your
dog when you are away from home? Boarding facilities can be
expensive, even for short visits. There are daycare centers now
available, but they too are costly. Are you able to keep your
cool if your puppy breaks the rules? If you tend to have short
temper, you may not be able to properly train your puppy because you
might let your emotions control the situation.
-
Do you
want a purebred or mixed-breed dog?
All dogs are of the same species, but there are hundreds of breeds that
are all very different. Purebred dogs have been bred for a
specific look, personality, ability or other trait that makes them
unique from other dogs. Mixed-breed dogs are those that are not
usually bred for any specific reason, but have an even more unique
quality--they are one-of-a-kind.
If you are looking
for a specific kind of dog, one that meets certain criteria, then a
purebred dog may be for you.
By knowing the
characteristics and abilities of a breed, then you can make a reasonable
guess as to what kind of dog your new puppy will become. Purebred
dogs are often expensive to purchase because they are measured to a
perfect standard for the individual breed. If there is a
negative side to purebred dogs, it is that your dog may carry hereditary
conditions that are common to the breed, which may require costly
medical bills, time and patience to treat.
If you aren't
looking for a dog that meets strict guidelines, and want to adopt or
rescue a puppy instead of paying for one, then a mixed-breed dog is
right for you. There are many advantages to having a dog that
combines traits from one or more breeds. Often, owners of
mixed-breed dogs are happy to find their dog has all the good
characteristics of the breeds they are made of, and not the bad ones.
Also, knowing you have saved a puppy, or an adult dog, from a shelter
is a rewarding feeling.
-
Should
you choose a male or female?
There are no real advantages to owning a male dog rather than a female,
especially if you are not planning on showing or breeding your dog.
In that case, the best option for you and your dog is to have it
spayed or neutered. In the case of females, this will reduce
the risk of certain types of cancer, prevent uterine infections, and be
easier on you than her bi-annual heat cycle. When it comes to male
dogs, neutering will help prevent certain cancers, cut down on unwanted
behaviors, and hopefully discourage roaming.
If you are planning
on showing or breeding your purebred dog, then you will have to weigh
the pros and cons of each sex. In the show ring, it doesn't
matter if your dog is male or female, as long as it follows breed
standards. From there, it just depends if you are more capable
of handling female-only issues rather than male ones. When it
comes to breeding, and you own a female, are you willing to be the
'grandparents' of a litter of puppies until they are old enough to be
sold?
-
Do
you want a large or small dog?
This decision can be very easy for some people, especially those living
in small apartments. If you don't have the room for a large dog,
then you've eliminated the majority of breeds. If, however, you
have plenty of room for a large dog, do you have the time, money and
energy to take care of it?
Generally, the
larger the dog, the more YOU will have to invest in its well-being. Large dogs require more food (and in turn, create more waste), larger
doses of heartworm prevention and flea/tick control, and often, more
exercise. On the other hand, small dogs often need more
medical treatment (especially dental cleanings), grooming (since many
have long hair coats) and sometimes more exercise than you'd expect.
The selection of a breed and the selection
of an individual puppy are very personal and involve a great deal of
consideration. Purebred dogs are best purchased only after great
care and consideration and then only from breeders who can be met face to
face and whose dogs also can be met and known. It is not
recommended that you purchase a pure-bred dog without ever meeting it or
its parents. As for mixed-breed dogs, they make great pets for
many reasons, and a adopting from a shelter can make the process easier
and more worthwhile. If you're getting a mixed-breed dog, it is
equally important that you meet the puppy and its parents before making
any decisions.
|
