A Step-By-Step Guide To Puppy Picking by Ron King
With hundreds of breeds to choose from, how do you decide
which one is right? Narrow down the choices in a few simple
steps.
Size Matters
First, consider your available space. If you live in an
apartment, you can rule out large dogs. Look for dogs in
the Toy group, such as Yorkshire Terriers, or some of the
smaller dogs in the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.
If you have children, you may want to rule out very small
dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese. They are delicate and
can be accidentally injured by young children. On the other
hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards,
can be overly boisterous and can accidentally turn your child
into a human bowling pin. Consider medium-sized breeds, such
as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos.
|
|
Exercise Essential
Next, consider how much exercise you can give your
dog. If you have a home with a fenced yard, your
dog will be able to get some exercise on his own.
However, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and
Herding groups are very high-energy animals, and
they will need intensive daily exercise. Plan to
take a lot of long walks with your dog or go for
a daily romp in the park. After all, these dogs were
bred to work hard, and they don't do well unless
they have a job to do or a way to burn off excess
energy.
To Groom Or Not
Also, don't forget to consider grooming needs.
Some breeds need only half an hour or so of grooming
a week, while others require an hour a day. If you
are short on time, don't buy a Standard Poodle or
a Maltese -- unless you plan to take your dog to
a groom. Breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets
are good choices for people who don't have time for
a lot of grooming. |
Puppy Problems
Once you decide which breed you want, you will need to
consider the age of the dog. Many people opt to buy a cuddly
little puppy instead of an adult. While puppies have the
advantage of not yet having developed any bad habits, it
will be up to you to be sure your puppy is housebroken and
obedience trained.
Do you want to buy a puppy? If so, you will need to find
a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the appropriate
breed. Often, a good breeder will have a waiting list for
puppies. If you aren't the patient sort, you may be tempted
to buy a puppy from a pet store. A word of caution -- many
pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have genetic
health defects, bad temperaments, and other problems. It
is usually safest to buy a puppy directly from the breeder.
Older dogs are usually housebroken and frequently have some
obedience training. They are also less likely to be hyperactive
and destructive. However, they can have behavioral problems
or health problems that prompted the former owner to find
them a new home. If you are interested in an older dog, you
may want to visit your local animal shelter or call a breed
rescue. These groups evaluate the dogs' health and temperament
before adopting them out. Once you've picked the breed and
the dog, you have one more important decision to make --
what to name your new best friend!
About the Author
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer.
Visit http://www.new-pup.com to
learn more about this subject.
Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted
if the resource box is left intact.
Want
more information? Books
on Picking and Raising Puppies
Thank
you for using 4Dog
Info for
information on picking a puppy.
|