surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA
Sep 7, 2003, 1:25 AM
Post #1 of 17
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FINDING A DOG FRIEND ...
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1. EXAMINE YOUR LIFESTYLE
Before choosing a dog, first examine yourself, your lifestyle, your family and your expectations.
Some issues become obvious fairly quickly.
(a) If you live alone in a small, on third-floor apartment then a Border collie may not be your best choice.
(b) If you are active and wish to find a jogging companion, then perhaps you ought not to get an English bulldog.
(c) A dog's size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness, and compatibility with children should all figure into your decision.
Also remember bigger dogs also have bigger appetites.
The next step is to decide which kind of dog best fits your needs.
You need information.
(a) Visit your local animal shelter.
(b) Visit a dog show – have a look around.
(c) Make the effort to learn about various breeds (there are many dog breed books available).
Speak with people who love dogs.
I do not say speak with dog owners or people who show dogs, but speak with people who "love" dogs – there is a distinction, sometimes subtle – but important distinction.
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2. LEARN ABOUT BREEDS & MIXES
Dogs are either purebreds or mixed breeds.
The only significant difference between the two is that purebreds come from similar parents & ancestors and would have been bred to a specific "breed standard."
You can more easily predict the characteristics and peculiarities of a purebred pup, in that you can reasonably estimate eventual size and behavioural characteristics.
Mixed breeds offer several advantages over purebreds.
(a) When you adopt a mixed breed, you benefit from the combined traits of two or more breeds.
(b) You are also more likely to get a dog free of genetic defects afflicting purebred dogs.
(c) Mixed breeds are often considered the more "natural" dog.
(d) When you adopt a mixed breed, you adopt a totally unique companion.
(e) You give a mixed breed dog a chance for a good life.
The size, appearance, and temperament of some mixed breed dogs can be predicted too but not so accurately.
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3. VISIT THE DOG SHELTER
The number of dogs in a shelter can be overwhelming, but given love and affection, almost any shelter dog will make a wonderful friend and family member.
There are several things to remember when looking for a shelter dog:
(a) Many dogs are at the shelter because they were abandoned by people with unrealistic expectations of the time, effort, and money required to sustain a lifelong relationship with a dog.
(b) Always remember that a shelter (however well run) is a stressful place for any dog. The dogs there have all been rejected or abandoned in one way or another.
Quite often, a dog’s true nature will not be revealed until the dog is taken home and given affection.
Just because a dog is quiet and not fighting for attention, do not count that dog out; it may just be frightened or lonely.
(c) Speak to the counsellors and volunteers at the shelter. They will know the dogs well enough to make recommendations.
(d) Try and find a quiet place away from other dogs and people, to spend a little time with the dogs you short list. Play with them, treat them, and observe how they respond to you.
(e) Be prepared to visit the shelter several times. Do not rush your decision. Every dog in the shelter can provide you with boundless love and companionship, and every dog certainly deserves a lifelong home.
But some dogs will suit you better than others.
You should take the time to make a thoughtful choice.
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4. FINDING A GOOD BREEDER
However, if you wish for a purebred dog, then your best bet is to find a good breeder.
Decide whether you want a pet quality pup or a show potential pup. The waiting list, cost and requirements will differ.
Good breeders will satisfy the following criteria:
(a) They keep their dogs in the home as part of the family.
(b) They have happy, healthy and well-exercised dogs of even steady temperament. Their dogs have healthy coats and bright eyes.
(c) They have dogs and puppies that are well socialised.
(d) They willingly show you where their dogs spend most of their time.
(e) Their kennels are clean and well maintained. There will always be sufficient space and grass for the dogs to run & play.
(f) They do not cage or confine their dogs for long periods at a time.
(g) They encourage you to spend time with the parents of the pups (at the very least with the dam) when you visit.
(h) They encourage multiple visits and will want your whole family to meet the puppy before allowing you to take the puppy home.
(i) They breed only one or two types of dogs, good breeder do not breed numerous types of dogs.
(j) They are knowledgeable about the “breed standards” of the dogs they breed.
(k) They maintain strong relationship with their vet and will show you medical records of the puppies & parents; and happily explain the puppies’ medical history and vaccinations.
(l) They are well versed in the potential genetic problems inherent to their breed/s – and will carefully explain what those concerns are.
(m) They will have the test results to show that the pup’s parents and even grandparents are free from such genetic problems.
(n) They provide guidance on the care & training of your puppy and will be available to render assistance even after you take your puppy home.
(o) They encourage your questions & are happy and willing to provide references of other families who have purchased puppies from them.
(p) They are knowledgeable about nutrition and feed their dogs and pups well. They will let you check and observe the dogs at feeding time.
(q) They do NOT sell pups to total strangers.
(r) They do NOT sell pups that are less than 8 weeks old.
(s) They will not always have puppies available because they do not breed indiscriminately.
(t) They are usually active in local associations & clubs; and participate in dog shows and/or trials.
(u) They will provide a health guarantee and at least a 3-generation certificate proving the pup’s bloodlines and ancestry.
(v) They will always inquire into the following:
*** Why you want a puppy & how you plan to rear the pup.
*** Who will be responsible for the puppy’s care and rearing, where the puppy will spend its time & where it will sleep.
*** Unless you are buying a show potential puppy, they will require you to de-sex your pup at the appropriate age.
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5. GENERAL CAUTIONS
Age & temperament
(a) Puppies & young dogs usually require much more training and supervision than adult dogs. If you have little time or patience for training, an adult dog may be a better choice.
(b) Although an active, bouncy dog catches the attention, a quiet or laid-back dog might be a better match if you don't have an active lifestyle or active approach to life.
(c) In general, a confident dog that enjoys human contact, not overly sensitive to handling and noise will probably thrive in a house full of children.
House Rules
Very important: Work out your dog-care regimen in advance of bringing a dog home.
Who will walk the dog? Who will feed the dog? Is the dog allowed in the house? Where will he sleep? Are there rooms or parts of the house that are off-limits? Where are the elimination areas?
Training
Dogs need order and routine. They need to be trained. Learn about dog behaviour.
Assume that the dog is not housetrained, and work from there. Be consistent, patient and maintain a routine. Again there are many good training manuals available – invest in one, it will be worth every sen.
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*** PUPPY MILLS
Please do not buy from a puppy mill.
What is a puppy mill? Who are these puppy millers?
How do we identify them?
(a) They are people who breed to sell puppies for profit. Whatever they profess, their primary incentive is money.
(b) They do not care about the puppies they sell.
(c) They do not care to whom their puppies are sold.
(d) They keep little or no records; they breed their bitches and studs indiscriminately.
(e) They sell their puppies to pet shops for resale.
(f) They rely on impulse buying and often try to sell the puppies as young as possible.
(g) They do not like questions from or people who know about dogs and do not like visitors or people to see their adult dogs or their kennels.
(h) As far as they are concerned, the concepts of well-bred and well-socialised puppies are merely words to be bandied about and never practised.
(i) Puppy millers are not always kennel based and can just as easily be people who live in our neighbourhood, indiscriminately breeding dogs as a means of supplementing income.
Today, puppy millers have become much more sophisticated and even participate in dog shows to give a semblance of respectability and will even provide registration for pups they sell, unfortunately such registration is no assurance that the puppy has been properly bred, raised or even healthy.
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*** PET SHOPS
You buy from pet shops at your own risk. Pet shops usually get their puppies from puppy millers.
Finally, be reasonable in your expectations.
Given time and chance to adjust to you and his new environment - the dog return your love many fold and will never ever give up on you ... 
Good luck.
(This post was edited by surchinmy on Sep 7, 2003, 1:54 AM)
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Everyone, especially first-time doggie owners like myself should read this as a guidance BEFORE getting a dog! 
