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Decisions, Decisions, Decisions Please note that although we own Cornish Rex cats, my expertise is in dogs. So, this information is mostly geared towards selecting a dog. However, when I chose what breed of cats to add to my household I used the same principles and it worked very well for me! This information also applies whether you are choosing a puppy or an adult or even a rescue dog. The most important decision you have to make when you choose to add a pet to your household is whether you are actually ready for that addition at this time in your life. Remember, there is a lot of time and work involved in having a child in your house -- and having a dog or a cat is a lot like having a child. Bare minimum is time for feeding, grooming, running to the vet, cleaning up hair, the yard, the litter box......But there is more. After all, why add a dog or cat to your household if you don't plan on interacting with it? So now you must factor in time for training, for walks, and cuddling. Once you add a pet to your family, you can forget about spur of the moment vacations and running errands after work. After all, you now have an animal that needs to be taken care of. If you are a parent and your children are begging for a pet, keep in mind that you are the one that is ultimately going to be taking care of this pet. Very young children are unable to undertake that much responsibility, middle-aged children are starting to have other interests (sports, clubs, the opposite sex), and older children will be leaving the house for school or an apartment of their own and are usually unable to take their pet with them. Adding a pet to your household is a decision not to be taken lightly -- this is a living, breathing creature that will hopefully be with you for 10 to 15 years. Ready to Choose? Now that you have decided that you have the time, energy, and desire to bring a dog or cat into your household you need to decide on the breed. Think about your lifestyle and your personality and try to decide on a pet that would complement you. If you're a couch potato a dog with a high activity level would probably drive you crazy and destroy your house. If your house is the neighborhood hangout and you constantly have children coming and going, a dog with a strong guard instinct would probably have a difficult time as he would feel unable to do his job. If you are a dedicated gardener and have carefully landscaped your yard, a terrier would very probably be determined to dig it all up and both of you would end up frustrated. I could go on and on, but what I'm trying to point out is that dogs will be dogs and you need to be aware of that when choosing your companion. Do your research. The American Kennel Club recognizes over 150 different breeds of dogs and each breed was designed for a particular function and that influences their behavior. Dogs bred to herd instinctively herd. If sheep aren't available, your children are. Retrievers find it essential to put things in their mouths, sight hounds cannot stop themselves from running and chasing, terriers dig, etc., etc., etc. Find a pet that not only is pleasing to your eye, but one that will fit in with your lifestyle. Don't forget to think about time necessary in grooming and clean up! Do you care if you have dog hair in the house, on the furniture, on your clothes? What about slobber on your clothes, on the walls, on the ceiling? How much time do you want to spend grooming? How often do you want to bathe the dog? Can you keep the coat up or are you willing to take it to a groomer? Lots of things to think about! There are a number of excellent books (often available from your library) that will help you in your decision:
Purebred VS. Mixed Breed? The main advantage to a purebred dog is that you have a pretty good idea of what the dog will look like and act like as an adult. Mixed breeds are not necessarily healthier -- after all they are dogs and can have the same eye problems, hip problems, etc. that pure bred dogs get. Just think, at some point in their background mixed breed dogs have purebred relatives. There is nothing wrong with mixed breed dogs and if that is your choice don't let anyone make you feel guilty! Reputable Breeders Now you're really excited -- you've decided on a breed that's right for you and you want your dog and you want your dog yesterday! But wait....your search isn't over yet. Now you've got to look for a reputable breeder. This is someone that is going to be a resource for you for the entire time that you own your dog; someone that knows and loves the breed of their choice. This person is going to be very selective about who gets her "babies" and will be very upfront with you about the good points as well as the bad points of their breed. Be sure you get a contract with your purchase which spells out the responsibilities of both the seller and the buyer. Actually, ask for a copy of the contract before you make any decisions and be very sure that you can happily live with everything in that contract. Personally, I won't consider placing a dog with anyone that hasn't had contact with my dogs (or dogs of the same breed) up close and personal. Seeing a picture of a dog in a book or seeing them at a dog show is just not the same as seeing one in person when they are relaxed and at home. Be prepared to answer all kinds of questions and feel free to ask just as many questions. Make sure that you are comfortable with the breeder since you want to be able to call up anytime after the purchase and ask questions about training, housebreaking, etc. We don't automatically believe what a car salesman tells us, nor do we usually buy from the first car dealer that we visit. Most of us keep a car only 3-4 years and yet we carefully decide what brand and model we will purchase and where we will buy it from. Keep in mind that your dog will hopefully be part of your life for 10-15 years and will have a much larger impact on your life than your car! So, do your homework; use your common sense; and don't make any hasty decisions! More Reading Here are some books that I really find helpful in making things work with my animals!
A Final Note In closing, I would like to remind everyone to use common sense. Don't believe something just because a "breeder" told you. Don't believe everything that you read. There is a lot of information easily accessible now by anyone with computer access. However, not all of it is accurate. So, be an educated consumer. Warning If you choose to purchase a purebred dog be sure that the dog has or can be registered with the American Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club, and/or the United Kennel Club. Ask for paperwork and do not be fooled by a look-alike registry. Puppy mills are currently up in arms about a new policy by the American Kennel Club and have started registering with different organizations. These are organizations that will register any dog of any parentage for anyone that will pay their fee.
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