There are few things more appealing than a young puppy. Gangly, awkward and
comical, they work their ways into the hearts of young and old alike, bringing
joy and love. This is true for almost any pup.
Picking the puppy that is right for you will often require some forethought.
Avoid impulse buying or adoptions. These can often lead to disappointment and
even resentment towards the pet. If you see a “puppy in the window,” think about
the purchase and do research into the breed before you lay out your hard earned
cash.
As far as “free” puppies go, they seldom are. Make inquires about the diet that
has been fed, any vaccinations or worm medications given and be sure to check
for ANY hair loss, skin thickening or redness. These can be indications of
sarcoptic (contagious to humans) or demodex mange.
Make a list while thinking about what you want in a dog.
1.
If you like peace and quiet, a hyper Pomeranian or Boston Terrier, would
not fit in. Do you live in an apartment? If so, a Great Dane, St. Bernard, or
Mastiff would not be the dog for you.
2.
Perhaps you are athletic and enjoy long walks, jogging or hiking up
mountain trails. You would get along great with a Labrador or some other active
breed.
3. Will you want a lap dog or one to rough house with? Dachshunds, toy and
miniature Poodles, Bichons, Maltese, Chihuahuas and certain small breeds of
terriers are all too happy to lay around in a lap or on your feet all day. For
an exuberant playmate, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Collies, Dobermans, Fox and
Rat Terriers and Boxers are all excellent choices.
4. Do you have other dogs? Some breeds get along with anything while others will
fight almost any new dog that comes in. Female Welsh Corgis are often bad about
not accepting other female dogs. Other breeds were originally bred to fight
other dogs, bulls or large game. Investigate the history of possible breeds
before purchasing one and bringing it in with your established pet. You may also
want to investigate your present pet’s origins for the same reasons. It must be
remembered that whenever a new dog is introduced into the household a pecking
order will be set up. Usually the older, established dog will be Alpha and the
newer dog will allow him or herself to be ruled. These will likely change as the
new puppy gets older and hormones kick in.
5.Think about medical conditions. Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? If so,
you would probably want to avoid long- haired, double coated breeds such as St.
Bernards and Collies that shed a large portion of the year. If you have asthma,
there is a long-standing belief by many people that Chihuahuas don’t cause as
many flare-ups. Poodles are also credited with a lower incidence of asthma
related complications because of their low shedding rate.
6. Is the dog for an elderly person? If so, a small dog can be a blessing. It
will give the elderly a small pet that can be held and caressed while often
making for an excellent little alarm system. Unfortunately the small breeds can
also prove to be a hazard. Many dogs like to run around or through their owner's
feet. These can often cause falls resulting in broken bones. At the same time, a
large dog can provide a great feeling of security but a large puppy can cause
the same problems as a small dog. Once again you will want to check out the
normal temperament of the breeds you are considering. There are many breeds that
are known to have calm dispositions once they mature past the puppy stage. These
will include Golden Retrievers, Collies, American Eskimos and Shetland Sheepdogs
as well as many more. When choosing a dog, keep in mind the maintenance. Does
the elderly person suffer from arthritis or some other condition that would make
regular grooming a painful chore? If so, you will want to go with a shorthaired
breed that requires minimal care.
7. Are there small children in the household? If so, it would be advisable to
avoid such dogs as Chows, Pit Bulls and other, sometimes aggressive breeds. Many
areas require liability insurance for owners of so-called vicious breeds.
Parents acquiring a new dog need to make sure the younger child and the pet will
be monitored whenever they are together. A few years ago a newborn baby was
brought home from a Houston hospital and the established family dog seemed to
accept it without any hesitation. Two days later the dog had mauled the baby
while it was sleeping and the infant died as a result of the bite wounds.
Regardless of the breed, never assume a dog will be “OK” with an infant or
toddler.
8.
Another consideration needs to be care. Will you have the time needed to
devote to the upkeep of heavy coated breeds such as a Collie? Could spending $30
or more every six to eight weeks to have a professional groomer clip a poodle
cause financial hardship? What about veterinary care? A typical annual exam and
vaccinations in the Houston area can cost up to $100. This cost does not include
such necessities as heartworm prevention, shampoos and food.
9. Talk to your veterinarian about hereditary problems or tendencies towards
certain conditions in your favorite breeds. Breeders, pet shops and shelters
want to move the animals and highlight the good points of any particular breed.
They will not want to bring up the high occurrence of epilepsy in Belgium
Tuvereens, deafness in Dalmatians, skin allergies in West Highland White
Terriers, hip dysplasia in almost all the large breeds, Progressive Retinal
Atrophy in Poodles, high numbers of Boxers who develop cancer or the collie eye
anomalies in Collies. Many small breeds such as Yorkies, Dachshunds, Schnauzers,
Poodles and such will require regular dental hygiene as well as actual dental
scaling and polishing by a veterinarian. The dental procedures for cleaning the
teeth can run between $100 to $150 dollars. Some specialists will even cost
more.
10. Why are you getting the dog? Is it to be a pet or do you want to show it? If
you are looking for a show animal, check out the dog shows first, talk to
breeders, contact the AKC for the national breed club for your chosen breed and
buy the best quality dog you can find. Every owner wants to believe their dog’s
puppies are show quality but the really good quality puppies come from
well-established breeders who have a record of breeding champions. Pet puppies
can be found starting in the $150 to $200 price range. Show puppies will often
begin their prices at $400.
If you are just looking for a pet puppy, remember to get it spayed or neutered
as soon as possible. Spaying before the first heat cycle reduces the chances of
breast cancer later on. Spaying and neutering both reduce the chances of
runaways, hit by cars and other roaming injuries.
Once you have weighed the pros and cons of various breeds and have an idea of
your possible choices, find pet owners of the same breed. Ask them questions and
then start your actual hunting. If acquiring a puppy from a breeder or pet
store, require a health guarantee of over seventy-eight hours. Parvo and
distemper each have an incubation period of about ten days.
Avoid owners that want to meet you in a parking lot or who sell on the side of
the road. You have a greater chance of healthy puppies if you can see both
parents and the conditions in which the puppy was raised. Get the registration
papers when you pick up the puppy. All too often promised papers will never be
received. Make sure you are getting what you pay for. A Peek-a-Poo may be an
adorable animal but the seller is lying to you if he or she promises you will
get registration papers of any sort. Only purebred dogs can be registered with
the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club.
By researching the various breeds, their temperaments, traits, and possible care
needs, you can often avoid many of the possible problems that will interfere
with you and your new puppy living a long, harmonious life together. |
