How to Pick a Puppy:
The most important element to remember when picking a puppy depends on your own lifestyle, schedule, and ability to care for a dog. The “puppy love” state of getting a dog, is the most captivating, and is an emotional decision. It reminds you of when you were a child, and held your first puppy. However, it should also be a very fun, enjoyable part of dog ownership, if you make the right choice. It should never be a spontaneous decision to get a dog; it requires some good soul searching questions, like what breed to chose, or type of dog. In addition, it should never be based on looks, but more in-depth research on what type of dog suits you as a person. Are you patient, with training an animal, such as dog, or what is your history in pet ownership, in your family when you were a child? A friend of mine, decided to buy a pet from a pet store, which turned out to be a disaster. The dog was a poodle, and was purposefully left untrimmed around the mouth. Although my friend had asked the pet shop owner to trim the puppy’s mouth, before the date it was to be picked up, the owner never did the trimming. The puppy was taken to the vet, and it was found that the pup had an overbite, which was being hidden from the buyer in not trimming the fur. This store was operating a devious and illegal business, for hiding this defect was against the law but it doesn’t surprise me, as the dog also had more serious health issues.
Buying a pet from a pet store also perpetuates the puppy mills where they come from, that breed dogs in a very inhumane way for profits. Many dogs are usually sick, mistreated and their moms become puppy machines, which is unhealthy for any dog.
Hobby breeders are usually home based businesses, where they can provide you with a look at the parents of your future dog, which is a great asset, to determine any illness or behavioral problems. At this stage, if you ask many questions, about the background of the dog, history of illnesses, vet records, and vaccine schedules, it can save heartache later.Choosing a Puppy:
The problem is most people do not take into account how the dog will adapt to you but also, how you will adapt to the dog. Go to Kennels, Trainers, and Breeders as well as Dog Shows in your area. Find out the most you can about the breed you want to chose, for example are they easy dogs to train. Alternatively, do they require a lot of outdoor exercise, running, and lots of walking? Do take your time and read up through magazines, books, and how to care for a dog books.
It is best not to get a puppy at Christmas, or other occasion for someone as a gift, because you feel they should own a dog. You must discuss this with the person at length, before making decisions for them, and their ability to care for a dog. Puppies are not toys for Christmas.
Breeds: Firstly, you must decide on the breed of a dog, as each breed has its own benefits and downfalls. If you were an energetic person, you would normally pick a breed that is energetic as well to fit into your lifestyle. Certain breeds have inherent diseases or “congenital conditions”. This means that the certain breed can or will develop a particular susceptibility to a disease in its lifetime. It means there is a “genetic disposition” of that breed towards an illness.
Examples of these are hip dysphasia, heart defects, kidney disease, or liver disease. Here is where you should also consider and consult a pet insurance company that can give you a quote on that breed, to get an idea of what it can cost for dog care. Thus, we are outlining the need here for knowing what you are buying in a particular breed. You can look up the statistics of all breeds at the OFA site, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, where they list all the different types of illness and who ranks highest.
The website is at http://www.offa.org/stats.htmlPuppy Testing:
There is such a thing as a Puppy Test; this is where you run through a serious of tests to determine the puppy’s personality, or temperament. Is this puppy the dominate one of the litter? The one basic test is to put the puppy on its back for 30 seconds, without speaking to it. An easy going puppy will lie still and start to relax, without struggling to get up. If it struggles to get free without stopping, or stiffens up, or freezes with a rapid heart rate, it is probably a willful dog, or if it bites you, it will be a dominant dog, which translates to a lifetime of you being on a leash and it takes you for a walk.
One good site for puppy testing information is at: www.volhard.com which was invented by Wendy Volhard, which is an excellent source of dog information on puppy testing. If your breeder is unfamiliar with puppy testing or tells you they have been tested, be wary. You should be allowed to test the puppy you chose at least for some of the tests, but also observe the puppy and how it plays with its littermates.
Small Dog Breeds: Yorkies, Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, are these types of dogs. Most people pick smaller dogs, for their size, and cuteness factor, easier to pick up after, and transportable.
Medium Size Breeds: This is the in between size of dog, like a Spaniel, Collie, or a Chow. Larger Breeds: Labs, Golden Retrievers, Setters and Sheepdogs are examples of the larger breeds.
There should also be a test for people who decide to get a dog, in that many are beyond capable of the responsibility it takes to own a dog. That is why many dogs end up in shelters, and abandoned, which is heartless and inhumane. If you are not sure about it, do not get a dog.
A dog is not like a cat, as you cannot leave them alone for hours on end, and expect them to be happy. So many people do not realize that is not a good idea to leave a dog at home, alone while they go to work. It is not a good life for a dog, and if the dog develops behavior problems, it would come as no surprise.In addition, you do not get a dog for a few years and then get rid of it, it is a long-term commitment, to keep the dog for the rest of its life, and that should be the realization of owning a dog, it is for Life.
Teri Salvador
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This is so true. So many people buy puppies without knowing anything about them. And, buying from a pet store is not always wise. A pet is like anything else, you really need to research well and see what kind of pet will fit in with your family and budget.
Thanks for the great article!
I was going to get a dog this weekend and a friend sent me your article, which could not have been more perfect timing, thanks for the information, I am going to do the puppy test before I buy.
What great information. My family has had several dogs throughout my life and many were just given to us. My husband and I currently have a dog that I got from my brother, as he was leaving to serve in the armed forces. He is a wonderful dog, we have had him now for over 3 years and he even gets along with our cats. He is part American Eskimo and part Jack Russell.
You are right about the responsibilities in the care for a dog is much different than a cat. I find it much easier to care for our cats, especially when we plan trips away from home. We have to find someone who can take care of our dog while we are gone.
I also didn’t realize what went on at Pet stores, thank your for sharing that information.
Sharon
Sharon your comments are so true that many dogs are adopted through friends and family and I think that is a wonderful way to get a dog. I do agree that cats are easier in that you can go away for a few days, and not worry -but you cannot do that with a dog.
Many pet shops are notorious for buying dogs from puppy mills, and supporting this inhumane industry. I also pray your brother reunites with the dog, and you are again one big happy family. Thank you again for your comments.
I completely agree about a pet being a commitment for LIFE. When you get a pet, you are agreeing to love and care for them until their death or yours. To me, they are a very important part of the family. I’m aghast at the number of people who get a pet, only to turn them over to someone else after a certain amount of time. It is heartless and cruel. If you can’t be sure you can take on the responsibility, both personally and financially, you should not get a pet.
I have numerous cats and love them to pieces. All my cats were either rescued from heartless owners or obtained from the Humane Society. Although I LOVE dogs, I’m clear, that with my personality and time commitments, I can’t have one. I do not have the patience or hours in the day to take care of them the way they need to be. Cats are more independent and have suited me well, requiring less attention. I had one, my best friend, for 20 years.
So, rather than follow my heart and just get a dog because they are so cute and lovable, I’ve held off since I know I’m not capable of giving them what they need. I want all animals to be happy, well loved and getting the attention the deserve.
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Thank you for your comments Do and if more people realized the amount of time it takes to care for a dog, there would be fewer of them given up to animal shelters. I am so pleased to hear about your cats that you have rescued I applaude you for that!! You are very wise and thoughtful about getting a dog, with a busy schedule it is difficult, and ultimately not fair to the dog. Thanks again.
Wonderful article and very straight forward. I am a hobby breeder myself and have raised several litters of Great Danes. Although I have a love for ALL dogs, the Great Danes have been one my favorite, along with being a challenge to raise. I am one to get to know the family first before I let a puppy go to their future parents. Danes are not meant for everyone and most people just see a cute little puppy. In six months though, they have a GIANT PUPPY! =) As you said in the article, “you can’t just leave them alone for hours like you can a cat!” Enjoyed the article and I know this will be very helpful to others who are looking to purchase or adopt a new puppy.
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