New Best Friend? / Dogs are not just for Christmas!

Getting a dog is a major decision and shouldn’t be made lightly. There are too many people who want a cute and cuddly pal but get a destructive petulant puppy. Or adopt a dog and find they are not perfect. I am not saying that this is always true and you should run and hide; there are ways to cope. Just make sure you have done your research!!!

First decision, buy or adopt; my personal preference is adopting. I want to save the world one dog at a time. In my mind, unless you want a specific breed for a specific reason (i.e. showing) adopting is the better choice. Even if you want a
specific breed, there are always ways to find a lost soul.

Tip:try contacting breeders to see if they have a dog they
aren’t going to sell; if they are decent people they will want to
find the dog a good home.

Second decision, puppy or adult dog; my
preference here is adult dog. Not all rescues will be house trained, but if you adopt an adult dog the chances are bigger and so is the bladder. If you do have to train an adult dog, it should be faster because they can usually hold it longer.

Third decision, what breed; there are so many breeds to choose from you need to narrow it down.

You could start by looking at the seven groups as they sometimes have similar characteristics.
Gundog Group - locate game
Hound Group - chase game
Pastoral Group - herd animals
Terrier Group - vermin hunters (larger breeds today don't fit underground)
Utility Group - non sporting (traits vary greatly)
Working Group - wide variety of jobs/personalities
Toy Group - miniature dogs (ancestry can be traced back to larger breeds)

Some other important questions to ask are:
What size dog fits my lifestyle? It’s obvious if you live in an apartment a Great Dane is the wrong choice. Also, bigger dogs eat more and medication sometimes costs more, so if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, stick with the smaller breeds.
How much exercise am I expecting? Breeds like Border Collies and Springer Spaniels need a lot of exercise and in the case of Border Collies, mental stimulation. Why else do you see so many Border Collies at Agility competitions?

Am I allergic? There are some breeds, like Poodles which are said to be better for people with allergies. If you do have allergies and a dog; vacuum frequently with a HEPA vacuum cleaner and get a HEPA room air cleaner.

Do I want to clean up hair 24/7? Some breeds shed very little (e.g., Schnauzer, Cairn Terrier) but you have to consider if the dog isn’t shedding it may need more grooming. Groomers can be very expensive if you can’t do it yourself.

How good am I at training or taking charge? There are breeds that train easily and ones that are a little tougher. If you are looking for a wilful breed the Cairn Terrier comes to mind. If you want a dog that trains easily,a Bernese Mountain Dog is a good choice. If you choose an aggressive breed you better make sure the dog is well trained!

Are children around? Temperament is probably one of the most important things to consider.  It’s not to say that a particular breed couldn’t turn if provoked, but the chances are slimmer. I know from experience that Samoyeds and Labradors are softies. If you have a child, are expecting to have a child, or will have children in your home...really do your research!!! This also applies if you have other animals or lots of guests over; there is nothing more stressful or embarrassing as having a pet attack someone.

How long will you have your pet? As a general rule of thumb the smaller the dog the longer it will live, but look into the breed you are interested in to be sure. Also, check to see if a particular breed is known for specific medical conditions; this way you can be prepared and possibly take preventative measures.

Fourth decision, where to look; there are so many websites with all kinds of information on rescue centres and breeders, you will be spoilt for choice. The first place I would look is a Pet Directory. I quickly found http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/, which was easy to navigate, but you don’t have to take my word for it. When you find a rescue or breeder you like... do some more research; make sure you can trust them.
Tip: The more reputable places will ask questions and may want to see where the dog will live. It’s o.k., because the more checking on everyone’s part, the more chance the dog will find their forever home.

There are lots of other things to do, like getting your home ready and having all the right bits and pieces, but I’m sure by now you have researched that too.

Finally, if you have problems with your new dog, don’t be shy... get help. There’s a lot of info out there, pet forums, training centres, vets and friends. The more you understand, the easier it will be to resolve.  Just be prepared and enjoy; animals can really make you a better person. I haven’t met an animal lover I didn’t like.

Illustrations by DJ Art: www.imageenvision.com/portfolio/djart