| Choosing Your Puppy |
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Choosing a Dog Buying a Dog Requires Clear Thinking and Commitment Buying a dog is a big decision. Most dogs will generally live for over 10 years and will require lots of love and attention. Choosing what type of dog is important, as different types of dogs vary greatly in size and personality. Should you choose a pure-bred dog? There are certainly some advantages with choosing a certain breed. You can check the characteristics of the dog and you have a clear idea on what size the dog will be when it matures. We have summarized some considerations needed when choosing a breed of dog. Don't forget, there are many wonderful puppies and dogs available at dog pounds that need rescuing. Considerations Needed When Choosing a Dog Size of Dog If you are purchasing a dog for children or an elderly person, a smaller dog that only requires moderate exercise maybe a better choice than a big dog that is harder to control on walks. Coat Type - Short or Long Haired Dogs Long Haired Dogs require extra grooming. If your pet dog is living inside, you will need to get used to cleaning up dog hair especially when they are shedding. Space Required for Small or Large Dog Larger dogs require a lot more walking as well as requiring a bigger backyard. If you only have a small backyard, a small dog may be a better choice. Puppy or Adult Dog? Puppies are very cute and lovable. If purchasing a puppy, you will know its background and be able to train it yourself. However, puppies are very demanding and you need time and patience to train them. If they will be living inside, puppy house training is essential. Teaching your dog not to bite and not to jump up is never easy but it is easier with a puppy. With breeds such as Labradors, you will need to handle years of puppy behaviour. I know my Labrador stayed a puppy for over three years. Family Consideration There are some breeds of dogs that are gentler and more suitable for a family with small children. You need a breed of dog that is tolerant and a good playmate. Young children easily forget that playful puppies can get hurt and occasionally snap. Puppies must be protected from young children's antics as the mistreatment can harm your puppy physically and emotionally. Teach your children how to support the puppy with both hands when they hold him so that his hindquarters are not dangling. Parents worldwide are promised by children that they will "take care of the puppy and walk and feed him". For a short time these promises are met but long term, they are hardly ever fulfilled. One or Two Dogs? If you will be at work all day and the dog will be alone, sometimes it is better to purchase two dogs so they keep each other company. However, it is more expensive and more time consuming to look after two dogs - more food, exercise and veterinary fees. Male or Female Dog? There is very little difference between the male and female of any breed as pets or as working dogs. Generally, the female is less inclined to wander away from home than the male. With a female dog, you have the twice-yearly problem of her "season" requiring her to be confined unless you want a litter of puppies. Some female dogs are easier to train and house puppy train than males. With the larger, more powerful breeds, females are usually a bit smaller in size and structure than the males and can be easier to handle on a lead. Finances Dogs can be very expensive to keep. Larger dogs will cost more to feed, their vet expenses will be higher and you may also pay more for groomers and boarding kennels, dog toys, dog collars, leads and accessories. Once you have purchased your puppy/dog, join Think Big Pet Club and send in your pet photos, pet stories or pet jokes to Pet Superstars. Upload your pet photos now! Sporting, Non Sporting Dogs, Hounds, Working Dogs, Terrier, Toy and Herding Dogs Once you have established what your dog's needs are, you can start to look at the characteristics of the different breeds and find a breed that suits your lifestyle. We have highlighted a few of the main characteristics. Generally dogs are classified under the following categories. Sporting Dogs Some of the sporting breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Spaniels. They are very intelligent and friendly dogs and suitable for active, outdoor-type families who will give them lots of attention and walks. Sporting dogs make ideal companions in the home. Non-Sporting Dogs One of the most well known non-sporting dogs is the Dalmatian. The breed was made famous in the movie "101 Dalmatians". This breed is very energetic and needs regular exercise and discipline. Other non-sporting dogs are: Boston Terrier, Chow Chow, Keeshound. Hound Dogs Hound dogs are intelligent and there are over 21 breeds of hounds. They are full of vigour and friendly. However, some breeds such as the Bloodhound are bred for their amazing scenting powers and may be difficult to train. Hound dogs to choose from are: Afghan Hound, the "barkless" Basenji, Basset Hound, Dachshund. Working Dogs Some of the working breeds include: Newfoundland; Saint Bernard; Rottweiler and Doberman. These are big dogs which are very busy and need firm handling. These breeds suit an owner who is prepared to spend time on formal obedience training as they are large dogs that do need a lot of discipline. Terriers There are many terriers available ranging in size and temperament. Terriers are very cute and make wonderful pets. However, some can be yappy and difficult to train. There are many different terriers such as wire–haired terriers which include breeds such as Airedale, Australian, Scottish and Wire-haired Fox Terriers. They need to be groomed regularly. Some of the types of smooth-coated terriers include the Bull and Staffordshire. These types are known for their independence. Hard-coated terriers also require grooming to remove their hair and they are better for families with allergies as they don’t shed. Some terriers are harder to train as they are very independent. Toy Dogs Toy dogs are generally dogs that are less than 12 inches (30cm) tall. Some of the most popular toy dogs include the Shih-Tzu, Pekingese, Miniature Pinscher, Pomeranian, Pug, Maltese and Chihuahua. These dogs are generally easy to look after and suitable for people living with small backyards. Herding Dogs Some of the most popular herding dogs are the German Shepherd, Border Collie and Corgis. They are beautiful, strong, responsive, intelligent dogs which need firm training and greatly benefit from obedience training. They require regular exercise and must be kept very busy. The herding instincts of the collie make him an ideal guard dog for children. These dogs have been known to drag or push small children away from dangerous situations. Add your comment
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 21 December 2008 01:42 |