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Important Tip's
on choosing the RIGHT Dog Breed for you!
Did you know that
there are several hundred dog breeds? With that large number of
breeds to choose from, how do people manage to decide which breed is
right for them? Luckily, you can narrow down the choices and find
the right dog breed by following a few simple steps.
Before you even
decide for sure that you want a dog, you need to ask yourself and
anyone who lives with you a few questions. All too often people act
on impulse and just suddenly decide it would be nice to have a pet
in the house. Sometimes it works out just fine, but frequently there
are problems. Times to be especially careful are Christmas or
children’s birthdays. You see a cute puppy and can see / imagine
your kids and your dog playing happily together. Time for a little
realism:
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Do you know all
about the work it takes to raise a dog? For instance
housebreaking, obedience training, veterinary care, exercise
requirements?
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Have you stopped
to consider which dog breeds would work for your situation i.e.
young children, gone all day, small apartment?
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Can you afford to
take proper care of a dog? There are vaccinations, heartworm
prevention, flee control, grooming, boarding expenses if you
travel, food, and unexpected emergency care, and toys to keep
him from becoming bored
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Will you or a
family member have time to exercise the dog everyday?
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Are your children
responsible enough to make sure the dog doesn’t escape through
an open door carelessly left open?
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Will an adult be
present when other children visit, at least until you know your
dog’s disposition?
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If you decide on
a puppy will someone be available to take it outside every
couple of hours?
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Are you willing
to spend the time and if necessary the money to provide
excellent obedience training so that you’ll have a well-behaved
animal?
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Will you commit
to sharing your life with a dog for the rest of its life?
If you are able to
answer all these questions with a “yes” then it’s time to decide on
the breed that is just right for you. There are a number of factors
to think about, including the size of your family, the age of your
children, how much time someone is at home with the dog, an
allergies you or your companions may have. In other words, you
should do some serious thinking before you make your decision.
If you don’t already
know about various breeds, be sure to do some research before you
make your choice. You can talk with reputable breeders of the type
of dog you have an interest in. If you are well acquainted with a
veterinarian, he or she may be another good source. Go to the
library and surf the web to find out everything you can about the
breeds that appeal to you. Dog obedience trainers are also good
people to consult.
You also would be
wise to think about the personality and habits of your family. If
you are a busy group, friendly and outgoing, then you should look
for a dog breed that usually exhibits those qualities. If you are a
senior, disabled, or live in a small space, you should look for dog
that is small, quiet and gentle− preferably a cuddler.
We all know someone
who chose a dog because they had one like it when he or she was a
child or maybe your family of origin always picked a certain breed.
Then there are those who see a dog they must have because it’s cute.
Unless you know about his breed this could end up being a disastrous
choice for all concerned.
There are varying
opinions on whether to choose a purebred dog or a mixed breed. There
are pros and cons for both. If you opt for a purebred it will most
likely cost you quite a bit of money. If that doesn’t matter to you,
you still want to check out the breeder’s credentials as well as
knowing something about the puppy’s history. Try to at least meet
the mother dog. If she is cranky and high-strung, then the puppy may
be too, as they often mimic the behaviour of the mother. Be aware
too that dogs can be over bred to the point that they develop health
problems as they grow older. You must be able to trace his lineage
back several generations as well as be sure that the papers are
authentic.
Mixed breed dogs can
make wonderful pets, and in fact may be easier to get along with.
The problem of course is that you aren’t likely to have any
knowledge of his ancestry. That means you won’t know about health
issues or behavioural problems. If you can spend some time with the
dog before you adopt him, and also have a vet give him a thorough
examination. If you have children, try to see how the dog acts
around them if you can do it without getting their hopes up, only to
possibly be disappointed.
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