Everyone’s asking for the same thing. Whether it’s for Christmas, an anniversary present, a birthday present, or a combination of all three, children and girlfriends alike are turning pleading eyes towards parents and boyfriends for one thing. A puppy.
However, many know that a dog is a big responsibility and if given as a pup, can be quite a handful for a grown-up girlfriend, not to mention a child. So if you are considering purchasing a dog as a gift this holiday season or anytime in the future, here are some tips on how to choose the right dog for you, your family, or a loved one.
Breed. There are over 150 breeds recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club official website), and on top of that, hundreds of other breeds and mixed breeds that exist in the world today. Dogs have come a long way from their lupine ancestors and many have been bred specifically to aid in human life to accomplish certain jobs (such has herding and hunting, or they were bred specifically for consumption). Therefore, finding the right breed for your family or loved one is extremely important.
Some dogs, such as the Shetland Sheepdog, may look like an adorable addition to the family due to their resemblance to a “miniature Lassie,” but may not be suitable for families with small children. Shelties are herding dogs and are known to herd their families around, so make sure you research what breed suits your family the best.
Gender. There has been a long debate on which gender of dog makes for a “better” pet. In my humble opinion, I believe it’s the dog’s overall personality and traits which make the dog the ideal pet, not speficially its gender. But, I will give some tips to keep in mind if you are factoring gender into the selection process-
Male dogs will mark their territory. Make sure to get him neutered by six months, otherwise he will mark your furniture and the great outdoors like no tomorrow. You can also train unneutered dogs to go potty outside, but this is against the dog’s natural instincts and so will be an uphill battle.
Female dogs will have periods all their lives. They will not go through menopause like human females do, so this is definitely something you will have to deal with if you decide to keep her unspayed. Some owners also note that female dogs will get “moody” around the three weeks they are in heat. Females go into heat twice a year, so make sure if you keep her unspayed, to keep male dogs away from her. That is, unless you want to become a small breeding facility/nursery.
Hypoallergenic Dogs. If you don’t like finding dog hair in your food, all over your clothes, or if you dread the thought of seeing small tumbleweed hair balls drifting across your hardwood floor, then consider getting a hypoallergenic dog. These dogs are supposedly “safe” for those who have allergies to pets, but the studies still have not been proven. Hypoallergenic dogs have hair, which is unlike fur in the sense that it does not shed continually throughout the year. These dogs, on the other hand, need to have their hair brushed daily to prevent matting. You can keep the hair short to minimize maintenance, but that requires monthly grooming appointments for a haircut. Many popular designer dogs (Mal-shihs, malti-poos, chi-poos, etc.) are hypoallergenic.
Finally, you’ve decided what breed of dog suits your family or your loved one’s needs. Now the hard part is figuring out where should to go? The best place to find a loving pet will be at a local rescue shelter.
Most Local rescue shelters or organizations will have adult dogs with average ages ranging from 1-7 years available for adoption. Most older dogs (as opposed to young dogs or puppies) are usually less hyperactive and more calm and may be more suitable for families with younger children. Some of the dogs available for adoption at shelters have been pets before and have been potty trained, so ask the workers about the dog’s history and habits.
Many organizations post dogs that are available for adoption through the Petfinder website. This makes browsing nearby shelters a breeze and can help you narrow down your search for your perfect pooch. When it comes time to actually visiting the dog, it is a good idea to bring the family and a toy to the shelter to see how your future pet will interact with you and your kids. If you hold out the toy to the dog and the dog shows interest in the toy, then this is a good sign. The dog’s interest in you and the toy shows curiosity and a playfulness which will definitely be appreciated by your children. Also, test the dog’s aggression and attempt to take the toy away. If the dog playfully starts a tug-of-war, but finally relents and lets you have the toy back, then this is a good sign. If, however, the tug-of-war turns into the dog snarling at you or your children, then is definitely a bad sign and an unfavorable trait. You definitely do not want a dog that displays any toy or food aggression towards your children, especially if your kids are small or young. Also, try approaching the dog from behind and pet him from his blind spot. If he does not show any unease, this is a very positive sign, since this is the dog’s way of saying he trusts you and does not sense you as a threat. And lastly, try to make some loud noises and see if the dog is startled or skittish in any way. A bolting dog that can knock over your toddler is a bad thing.
If you are looking specifically for a puppy, shelters may or may not have puppies available for adoption. The next step is to then look online for a breeder. Remember that there are a lot of scams out there and that you should never pay for your puppy before you actually get him. Also, don’t buy a puppy from another state unless if you personally know the breeder, or if you plan on visiting the pup on-site, since it is always a very good idea to see the breeder’s facilities and to see the puppy in person before you make the purchase.
Small Local Breeders are an optimal place to find your future pet. Usually these people are hobby breeders and take great care of their animals, since the parents of the puppies are their own loving pets as well. These breeders will have vet records (unlike the ones you get from the pet store) of the dog’s shots and will surrender it to you when you purchase the puppy. Many breeders put up reasonable prices for their dogs and are also good about returns and exchanges, since they want their dogs to go to loving and caring households. Going to meet the breeder and the puppy is the best way to see what kind of environment the puppy grew up in and is also a great opportunity to meet the parents of the pup as well. If size is important to you, seeing how big the parents are will give you a good gauge on how big your pup will get too.
Finally, it’s time to choose a puppy from the litter. Sometimes aesthetics may do the trick, but personality should probably play the biggest role. If you lay the puppy on his back and he does not resist but instead licks your hand, then this is a submissive dog. If the puppy squirms and tries to break free but then relents, then he is a normal doggie. If, however, he squirms, growls, nips and does not ever give up, then this is a dominant dog. Understand that dominance in dogs does not equal to aggression and that dominant dogs do not necessarily make bad dogs! They are, however, harder to train, are unresponsive and sometimes quite pushy. So know what you are getting yourself into when you decide to go for the prettiest dog from the litter and that just so happens to be the dominant one of the bunch!
Also keep in mind that a dog is a life time commitment, and that if you buy a puppy for a child, be okay knowing that most likely you will be the one taking care of it. A dog can live beyond 12 years of age, and during that time frame, you are expected to be his caretaker and most of all, best friend. If you are too busy or do not have the monetary means to sustain another creature’s life, or if you cannot take on the burden of vet bills, then perhaps a dog is not for you. Be responsible and know what you are getting yourself into. A dog’s companionship, love, and fierce loyalty to you is perhaps one of the best rewards and gifts of life!
