Are you considering adopting a dog? Here are just a few suggestions that you may consider before bringing home a new pooch.
Where will you find him - pet store, breeder, or animal shelter? I strongly suggest the animal shelter.
The shelter dogs have been evaluated for temperament and sociability with other animals (including cats), and with people.
They have their shots, have been neutered or spayed, and are in dire need of someone to love them and give them a home.
Shelters also frequently have purebred dogs, and various breeds to choose from.
Do you want a purebred, pedigree, or mutt? Unless you intend to breed or show your dog, I don't suggest a pedigree, besides which they are very expensive to purchase.
However, if you want a particular dog trait, such as the calm, gentle attitude of a golden retriever, then a purebred might suite you.
Even so, a golden retriever mix might work very well for you also.
Many purebred dogs have genetic health issues, particularly the pedigreed dogs, stemming from too much inbreeding over time.
A mixed breed dog, however, often has the best traits of both parents; not that they don't have health issues, but rather they have some fresh blood in their genetic mix.
Overall, they just seem to be more robust animals.
Also consider what type of temperament you would like in your dog.
Do you want an active, playful dog that needs a lot of exercise, and does better outdoors than in; or do you want a smooch pooch, who likes best to be around his people, and who is comfortable with the kids climbing all over him? If you don't know what dogs or breeds tend towards which temperaments, then do a little internet research and educate yourself.
If that isn't something you choose to do, the people at the shelter can certainly give you pointers as to breed temperaments.
Do you have the means to take care of your dog? That is, do you have the space to give him proper exercise and room to run; and do you have the finances to take care of him? According to breed and temperament, you would not keep a hound locked in an apartment for 8 hours a day, for example.
If you do, you may come home to find your apartment torn up from top to bottom.
Nor would you keep a border collie, which is bred to herd, cooped in a cage in your apartment all day, and only let out at night when you get home; then cooped up again when you go to bed.
This is unfair treatment.
Be sure you have enough room for your dog to play and run.
This is where deciding the temperament of your dog, as well as the breed or mix of breeds, is very important.
Remember that dogs get old.
After eight years you may begin noticing health issues forming, which can be very expensive to take care of.
Also during your pet's life there will be various vaccinations to be had, as well as medical checkups and routine care.
Consider that this, as well as the cost of food, will be an expensive that must be incurred throughout his life.
In conclusion, when considering bringing home a new dog, take into account the breed and temperament; the facility where you will obtain him; the cost of maintaining him; and if you have enough room for him to play and exercise.
If all these fall into place, you will have a wonderful and and loving new addition to our family!
Where will you find him - pet store, breeder, or animal shelter? I strongly suggest the animal shelter.
The shelter dogs have been evaluated for temperament and sociability with other animals (including cats), and with people.
They have their shots, have been neutered or spayed, and are in dire need of someone to love them and give them a home.
Shelters also frequently have purebred dogs, and various breeds to choose from.
Do you want a purebred, pedigree, or mutt? Unless you intend to breed or show your dog, I don't suggest a pedigree, besides which they are very expensive to purchase.
However, if you want a particular dog trait, such as the calm, gentle attitude of a golden retriever, then a purebred might suite you.
Even so, a golden retriever mix might work very well for you also.
Many purebred dogs have genetic health issues, particularly the pedigreed dogs, stemming from too much inbreeding over time.
A mixed breed dog, however, often has the best traits of both parents; not that they don't have health issues, but rather they have some fresh blood in their genetic mix.
Overall, they just seem to be more robust animals.
Also consider what type of temperament you would like in your dog.
Do you want an active, playful dog that needs a lot of exercise, and does better outdoors than in; or do you want a smooch pooch, who likes best to be around his people, and who is comfortable with the kids climbing all over him? If you don't know what dogs or breeds tend towards which temperaments, then do a little internet research and educate yourself.
If that isn't something you choose to do, the people at the shelter can certainly give you pointers as to breed temperaments.
Do you have the means to take care of your dog? That is, do you have the space to give him proper exercise and room to run; and do you have the finances to take care of him? According to breed and temperament, you would not keep a hound locked in an apartment for 8 hours a day, for example.
If you do, you may come home to find your apartment torn up from top to bottom.
Nor would you keep a border collie, which is bred to herd, cooped in a cage in your apartment all day, and only let out at night when you get home; then cooped up again when you go to bed.
This is unfair treatment.
Be sure you have enough room for your dog to play and run.
This is where deciding the temperament of your dog, as well as the breed or mix of breeds, is very important.
Remember that dogs get old.
After eight years you may begin noticing health issues forming, which can be very expensive to take care of.
Also during your pet's life there will be various vaccinations to be had, as well as medical checkups and routine care.
Consider that this, as well as the cost of food, will be an expensive that must be incurred throughout his life.
In conclusion, when considering bringing home a new dog, take into account the breed and temperament; the facility where you will obtain him; the cost of maintaining him; and if you have enough room for him to play and exercise.
If all these fall into place, you will have a wonderful and and loving new addition to our family!