Cindy's Pet Corner

Bringing home a new dog is more than just that...it starts with a thought process “I want a dog”! But before you just jump into getting one there are a few decisions that needs to be made by you and your family:

 

Do I want a big dog?

Do I want a small dog?

Do I want a puppy or an adult dog?

What breed would I like?

Can I provide for my dog?

Is my fence high enough?

Would I like to adopt from an animal shelter or from a breeder?

(feel free to add any of your own!)

 

It is sort of like bringing a new baby home...you need to be prepared in every way and know that you can first and most importantly, provide for your dog!

So, it would be wise to say that as soon as that thought enters your mind, sit your family down and discuss the above questions (-with your own questions added to that), together with the positive and negatives of having a dog.

 

Breed

Every breed has its own special needs. In saying that...what is a breeze and a pleasure for one particular family may be a nightmare for another. For instance, a Boxer, they are lovely to have around and play with. They have loads of energy and require a lot of attention and if not obliged, they will cause a lot of damage to your garden by digging holes or ripping your plants to shreds :)

On the other hand a Chihuahua is a very peaceful and relaxing dog to have around if you're someone with a lot of commitments, someone who prefers to take it easy and relax.

But if you have kids with loads of energy or is someone who likes the great outdoors and having a friend go jogging with you, the Boxer (not the Chihuahua) would be great for you.

Age

Age may or may not be an issue for you in choosing a dog...but it would be good to know whether you want a puppy or an adult dog. Most people want a puppy and don't even consider the possibility of getting an adult dog. Older dogs can make great pets and they require less work than a puppy.

Puppies are hard work. During their first few weeks at home they need extra special attention as this is the period where they need to be taught to be house-trained, not to jump and to bite etc. At nights you may need to get up a few times and take your dog outside and teach it to relieve itself. Their feeding is more regular as well and as they grow they become very energetic. This is the period where they will require lots of exercise and training from you.

Older dogs have their pro's and their con's. For one thing they are fully grown, depending on age: less energetic and require less work than puppies. But that does not mean less attention. They can readily join you for a hike or a jog and might have had some training in the past.

The down side is that you may not know much about the dogs past, whether it is aggressive due to mean treatment, whether he/she has socialisation skills or about the dogs bad habits etc. But, many dogs needs homes and adopting one from a shelter is you really showing an act of kindness and saving a life.

Size

Big dog, medium dog or small dog? Some prefer them big, some prefer them small. It all depends upon your lifestyle. If you live in a small apartment a big dog just wont do as it may cause more damage to your property and be in the way all the time. A large dog is more expensive...the bigger the dog, the bigger it's needs: more food, more water, bigger toys, bigger bedding and needles to say, the bigger the poop!

Although much of a small dog's care may be less expensive than a giant dog's, small dogs have their own unique set of hurdles to overcome. They are more vulnerable...to larger dogs, to injuries and they can be quite conniving and naughty. Most people assume because they are small, they don't need as much training as a larger dog but it's important to remember that all dogs, no matter their weight, size or age...they need to be trained.

Medium dogs seems to be the preference of most people that I know. They are ideal as they fit into peoples lifestyles, homes and are the middle of the range when it comes to the costs of their needs as well.

Type of Coat

It may sound silly to choose a dog based on his coat but grooming needs are serious and can be expensive!

Whether your dog has a short or long haircoat there are things you can do as its owner to develop and maintain its health and beauty. Professional groomers and veterinarians are one of your dog's best friends helping you with some responsibilities for skin and coat health and beauty. Coat care basics include regular coat inspections, brushing and combing, bathing with the right products and a healthy diet.

Coat type is also important for people suffering from allergies. People have been know to give their dogs away due to the allergies or because they couldn't keep up with the groomind needs.

Personality

Dogs like us, have their own personalities. But dogs of a certain breed often have similar personalities. Boxers tend to be very playful, boisterous and outgoing whereas Chihuahuas are somewhat nervous. It is a very good idea to choose the dog personality that will go with the family you have. For instance, if you have a large family with kids running in and out, you definitely do not want a Doberman Pinscher, a Boerboel or a Rottweiler that are very territorial and may get confused about who is coming in and who is going out. For a family, a Labrador is more suited. With regards to mixed breeds, they often take on the personality of the different breeds. However one cannot be sure what kind of personality the pup will show.

Adopt or Not?

Dogs are sometimes given up due to a wide variety of reasons. It may be that the family is moving or they are getting a divorce. It may be that due to financial reasons they cannot provide for the dog any more or that dogs don't get along in their lifestyle. It is sad, but going for this route and adopting a dog will mean that you will use the services of either an animal shelter, breed rescue, rescue groups, working dog organisation and thus get to save a life.

Take into account however that you still have the option of adopting a pup, young adult or older adult from an adoption agency and that you can adopt a pure bred too. But make sure to look your dog over from head to paw to make sure that there aren't any health problems!

Breeders

If you decide to go the route of a breeder, there are a few things to look out for. Not all breeders are good. A good breeder with make sure that the dogs they breed are healthy both physically and mentally. You can look for a breeder in a newspaper but we've found that word by mouth, recommendation, is by far the better way to find a breeder.

Once you have found one, make sure to ask as many questions as possible! Look at the house and or kennels where the dogs live. Look at the dogs and see whether they look healthy or not. A good breeder will also introduce you to the parents of the puppies and provide you with an adoption contract and a health certificate to prove that s/he's been checked by a veterinarian and got the necessary inoculations (shots against rabies), treatments (deworming) etc.

Questions to ask:

     When are the puppies ready (age) to go to their new homes?

     Are there any health problems to be aware of?

     Health problems of the breed?

     Have they been to the veterinarian?

     Did they receive their shots?

     Have they been spayed or neutered?

     Are their dogs invovled in shows, sports or activities?

     Can I return the puppy if there is a problem?

 

Once you've found a shelter or a breeder, now the time has come for you to finally choose your pup BUT...don't be hasty! Don't pick the first dog that you see, spend some time with the dogs and ask questions. Believe me, you will wish you had!

 

     Does s/he get along with other dogs?

     Does s/he like to play?

     Does s/he like to be petted?

     Is s/he a shy dog, a pushy dog or a laid back dog?

 

Every dog is unique. And you will want to make sure the one you pick is healthy. You can tell a lot by looking at the dog...

 

     Has s/he got a shiny coat?

     Are there any fleas or ticks present on his/her coat?

     Is his/her eyes clear without discharge?

     Are the ears clean and pink?

     Does his/her breath smell?

     Is he/she overly fat or thing...bloated perhaps? (that could be a sign of malnutrition/a poor diet)

 

If you do buy a dog with a few of the above problems, take it to a vet straight away. Never buy a sick animal from a breeder! Be sure to contact your local animal control officers, and report the breeders and let them know about the condition of the dogs! Now all that said, sheeeewwwwwww, I'm sure you've got a lot to think about and that this helps you in choosing the right pooch for you!