What you need to know before bringing Fido home
Website design By BotEap.comAdding a dog to your life can be one of the best experiences of your life, or an outright nightmare, depending on how much thought and planning you have put into this decision. You need to consider his lifestyle and environment, the time and energy you have, as well as how much money you want to spend.
Website design By BotEap.comSo before you commit to those big brown eyes and wagging tail, make sure you know (or have at least thought of) the answers to some pretty basic questions.
Website design By BotEap.comQUESTION #1 Puppy or adult dog?
Website design By BotEap.comIt’s the first thing you really have to think about. Puppies are cute and cuddly, but they don’t stay that way for long—you’ll spend a lot more time with the adult dog than you do with the adorable pup. You should also know that it’s very difficult to get a good read on an adult dog’s future personality (not to mention size, coat, and activity level) as a puppy. Those adorable balls of fluff can also be mischievous, defiant and destructive and go through a rebellious teenage stage where they need almost constant supervision. You should also consider the cost and time commitment of vet visits, house training, behavior training, and socialization.
Website design By BotEap.comBy contrast, adult dogs have been through it all, so what you see is what you get. He may have little information about the puppy stage and early life, but he will more than make up for it with the better attention span of an adult dog (making training easier) as well as a more accurate reading. the size and amount of molt. Your vet will also be better able to diagnose health problems in an adult, problems that cannot be foreseen in a puppy. Also, choosing an adult dog is a valuable service to good animals in need of a loving home. You’ll find some wonderful dogs at your local animal shelter or online at petfinder.com. Other good sources are your local classified pet column for many good loving dogs that are “free to a good home.”
Website design By BotEap.comQUESTION #2: Purebred or mixed race?
Website design By BotEap.comIf you have your heart set on a particular appearance or breed, need to consider allergies or other health concerns, or have a specific purpose in mind (a hunting companion or watchdog), then a purebred is probably the right choice. The American Kennel Club (online at http://www.akc.org) recognizes more than 150 different breeds and offers a wealth of information on each. Thoroughbreds come with generations of breeding to strengthen and refine special abilities so that tracking or retrieving abilities are far superior to those of the general dog population. The downside is that this can unknowingly convey other less desirable traits or serious health problems as well.
Website design By BotEap.comWhat breed is right for you and your family? Here’s a quick and easy test to do that might help you narrow down your choices: http://www2.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm.
Website design By BotEap.comFor many of us, a key factor driving our choice of breeds is cost. Mixed breed dogs are almost always more affordable than purebreds, although they do require more time and effort to find. You may want to start with your local animal shelter where dogs are taken in for a variety of different reasons and are vet examined and cared for until they can be adopted; some shelters even test dogs for behavioral problems. To adopt a dog (puppy or adult) from the shelter, you will typically be required to pay a small fee to cover exams and the cost of neutering.
Website design By BotEap.comRescue groups are another source of possible best friends. Here the dogs are placed in foster care with an experienced and loving host family, so you’ll know a lot about each animal’s temperament and training level. If you go this route, you should expect to complete some type of application process, as well as undergo potential home visits and a somewhat lengthy selection process. If all of this sounds too complicated for you, consider regularly checking the classifieds section of your local newspaper. You should also spread the word to family, friends, and co-workers. The more people who know you’re looking, the better.
Website design By BotEap.comQUESTION #3: Big or small?
Website design By BotEap.comAs you have done for age and breed, you should seriously think about the size of the dog you plan to bring into your home. Common sense might suggest that a large dog in a small apartment is not the best option, but these arrangements can be quite successful, if managed properly. Often, what really counts is not so much the size of the animal (or your own) but your ability to be in command and control at all times.
Website design By BotEap.comBeyond this, larger breeds tend to cost more – you’ll need to buy more food, cages, bedding and bigger toys, not to mention a sturdier collar and leash. Vet bills for surgery or medications will be higher, and grooming will also cost more. Smaller breeds are more affordable, but they have a (unearned, but popular) reputation for being high-strung and agile, and can easily slip into, unintentionally injure themselves, or go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of a busy household.
Website design By BotEap.comAnswer, or at least think about it, these questions and you’ll have a much better idea of what you’re getting yourself into. Not that you still can’t indulge in a pair of big, trusting eyes or an adorable little face… but when that time comes, you’ll have a much better chance of making this new addition to your life a lasting one. .