Finding The Right Puppy For You

Buying A Best Friend
By
La Belle Rouge

Dogs may naturally be man’s best friends, but finding the friend that is best for you should be a thoughtful and educated process. If you buy or adopt on impulse, that irresistible, dream puppy, may grow up to become your worst nightmare!

Before investing in a companion animal who may be a part of your life for fifteen years or longer, take time to determine the type of dog you would enjoy. Educate yourself about the various breeds that interest you and learn how to choose a worthy representative of each breed.

Some breeders believe their particular breed and bloodlines are the best, while overlooking faults and temperament failings. Most pet shops will sell you any pup that appeals to you, with no questions asked. It’s your responsibility to make the right choice.

Decide on basics. Do you want a large dog? Can you provide the space and exercise he requires…and obedience training often needed to handle his size and power. Can you afford larger amounts of premium food, and more expensive health care for a large breed? Life expectancy for many large or giant breeds is significantly shorter, some may be only eight years. Are you emotionally prepared to accept the early aging and death of your friend?

Do you prefer a small or toy dog? Toy breeds are often fragile and must be handled gently. Are there young children in your home who may be too rough to play with a toy dog? Toys can be very sensitive to weather. Will they live in your house, or in a heated and cooled area? If you decide on a Terrier they are usually extremely active and exuberant, can you handle the excess energy with a play area and play time?

Coat length is a consideration. Long coats will need daily brushing as well as more frequent baths and grooming, than short coats require. Short coated breeds are more susceptible to heat stroke and frost bite because their coats offer little protection from the elements. Some wire-coated breeds such as Terriers and Schnauzers, curly breeds like Poodles and Bichons, and very long haired breeds like Yorkies and Lasas need to he professionally clipped on a regular basis. An alternative to this expense is investing in a class and learning how to groom them yourself. Long eared breeds will need frequent ear cleansing and medication to prevent ear infections and odor.

All breeds have general personality traits. Make sure these traits complement your own personality. Are you delighted with the lively antics of a Terrier who never seems to slow down, or does a docile, little lap dog seem more appealing? Do you like to relax by the fire, with a gentle giant at your feet, or would you rather roam the woods and fields with your sporting friend?

To help with your choice, invest in, or find in the library, a good book that details the different breeds, their physical and emotional traits. Learn about the temperaments and conformation of the dogs that interest you.

Attendance at an all breed dog show can be a fun and educational outing. Talk to the breeders of various dogs that appeal to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the negative as well as positive aspects of owning a particular breed. Most serious breeders are a knowledgeable, reliable source of information. Your veterinarian can also offer sound advice about breed characteristics and health concerns.

Deciding where to purchase your puppy can be easy, if you know how to spot responsible breeding and healthy animals. Pet shops are generally not a desirable source. Many shops sell puppies obtained from puppy mills. These animals are often genetically and conformationaly unsound. Some more responsible shops buy from local breeders but this is rare, since the price of the puppies is much higher and the profit margin lower. It’s preferable to buy from an experienced reputable breeder. An honest breeder will not be insulted by your questions, or request for references. They will also ask you some questions about your home, safety precautions, such as fences and living arrangements for your puppy.

Call the references supplied by the breeder. Ask if they are satisfied with the health and temperament of their pet and if the breeder has been supportive.

When you purchase a puppy, the breeder may require your signature on a humane contract, assuring the dog will be well treated. It’s not personal! All new owners will be asked to sign. This protects the dog from uncaring or potentially abusive owners. The breeder will provide you with the puppy’s registration papers and possibly a pedigree, which shows the dog’s ancestors of several generations, along with a health guarantee, a vaccination and worming schedule, an instruction sheet and his phone number. He may even supply a small bag of the brand of dog food the puppy is eating. A caring breeder will ask you to call him for help with any problems or concerns with your pet.

When visiting the breeding facility, examine the environment and health of the puppies. Ask if the pups have been raised "Under foot," with a maximum of human contact and socialization. This will be evident in the way they interact with people. Are they friendly and affectionate, or fearful and withdrawn? Do they react negatively to a loud noise or an unfamiliar object? Ask to see where the pups actually live. Is there adequate shelter with access to an outdoor exercise area? Is the environment clean and warm in Winter, cool in summer. Make sure the breeder is feeding a high quality food. Look at the parents if they are on the premises. They are a good indication of what their offspring will be like as adults. Ask if there are any family, genetic defects or health problems. Read a copy of the vaccination and worming record. A puppy should never be sold before he is eight weeks old, by then he should have been given one or two combination vaccines and four wormings.

Ask if the parents are unrelated, distantly or closely related. Avoid an animal who is the product of closely related parents. Inbreeding can exaggerate any tendency toward genetic defects or weaknesses. Make sure all large and giant breed parents are O.F.A. certified as a safeguard against a bone disorder called dysplasia, which is painful and crippling as it advances. look at the conformation of the puppy. Does it meet the breed standard, or are there obvious defects?

The pup should be strong and active. The abdomen should be soft and not bloated, the gums and tongue a rich pink and the coat smooth and shiny. The eyes should be clear, with no discharge or clouding. There should be no coughing, sneezing, wheezing or nasal discharge. Females should be free of vaginal discharge and neither sex should be urinating excessively, indicating a bladder infection. The anal area should have no sign of diarrhea or discharge. Both testicles should be descended on a male though sometimes the puppy will be a little older before they descend. Animals with undescended testicles should be neutered before reaching adulthood. Take your new pet to the vet as soon as possible to insure his health.

Don’t overlook the possibility of adopting an adult animal and look for the same signs of good or poor health as you would in a puppy.

Follow these simple suggestions and you can be confident in choosing your new friend and hopefully enjoying his companionship for many years