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Adding a dog to your family
First...the decision --
It's great when we see those cute puppies or amazing dogs in the movies and on TV but those
dogs are highly trained or it's Hollywood magic...
So, you're looking for a new dog or a puppy? If this is your first time ever owning a dog, the best
place to start to look is in your bookstore, library and the internet. That's right because bringing
home a dog is no small thing and it will take research on your part so you will begin to know and
understand the nature of the animal you are bringing home to live with you and your family.
Before you even choose a specific breed, you will need to know all you can about what it means
to own a dog otherwise your new puppy might end up being another statistic in a shelter
somewhere. Visit dog shows, shelters, dog sporting events, etc. so you can get a feel for the
ways people interact with their dogs and the nature of individual breeds.
1. The first thing to know is that cute puppies do grow up into dogs. A wild, silly, nipping puppy
might seem cute or funny but it isn't so cute or funny in a full grown dog. So understanding the
nature of a dog and how to raise one is critical.
2. Next you want to determine what dog will work best for your particular lifestyle.
3. Don't let the movies or television dogs determine your choice -those dogs are highly trained
and most likely nothing like a "real" dog would be at home. You owe it to your potential dog to
know if he or she will be able to fit into your own lifestyle. You will also want to know what your
own expectations of owning a dog are and mean to you. It's really important you determine this
well beforehand so you don't end up being fully surprised and wondering what you've gotten
yourself into. That's how dogs end up surrendered to shelters because the owner didn't know
enough or care enough to learn about the dog, train the dog and commit to the dog.
4. If you're a sedentary sort that doesn't like to do hard exercise a Golden Retriever or a Jack
Russell Terrier may not be the breed for you. These breeds have a lot of energy and need
regular, daily exercise. If you're a runner and want a running companion, an English Mastiff may
not be the best choice for you. It pays to do your homework so you can find the best breed to
fit into your lifestyle.
5. Also keep in mind your dwelling space. If you're in a small apartment a giant breed would
probably not be your best choice. Also understand that if you work long hours each day, a puppy
may not be what will work for you either. A dog will bond to you no matter what their age is IF
you take the time to invest in them with love, training, and commitment. An older dog may be a
better choice for you if you do work long hours and can't be at home to let a puppy out to
potty, feed, and interact with many times during the day. Of course there are options for long
working hours such as doggie daycares and dog walkers/sitters, but make sure you have budgeted
in this commitment. Dogs are a time, money, love and life investment and I mean for their life not
yours. The rewards are bountiful if you'll do your part too. Dogs are always more than willing to
go above and beyond the call of duty and if you are also, the joy is boundless!
Do your homework, learn, and THEN commit to a breed that suits you. Remember a dog is for life
-their life!
Where to get a dog/puppy?
Try to adopt a dog from your local SPCA, Humane Society, or Rescue Organization. You will find
both mixed breeds and purebred dogs and puppies. All of these organizations are typically very
helpful and will help make sure you choose the right dog for your lifestyle.
If you want a purebred dog, buy only from a reputable breeder. And please DO NOT take the
breeders word that they are a reputable breeder. Do some investigation and research. Please
read below for tips on finding a reputable breeder.
Tips on Finding a Reputable Breeder who Breeds Healthy Purebred Puppies and Dogs
====================================================
What is a reputable breeder? They test for genetic and common diseases for their particular
breed, they minimize inbreeding, and they typically only have a few litters of puppies per year (so
they can provide the appropriate environment and health care for puppies).
A. Where do you find a reputable breeder? The following is a good starting point, but still do all of
your own research and do not take the breeder's word that they are reputable. The AKC
Breeder Referral website provides both breed organization and breed rescue group information
for the particular breed you are seeking. Also search on the Internet, using a search engine like
http://www.google.com, for breeders, breed organizations/clubs, breed rescue groups and/or
local kennel club groups in your area.
B. Do NOT go look at the puppy or dog first. The first step should be contacting the breeder on
the phone or via email. If you see the cute, adorable puppy first, then you will not want to do
any additional research!
C. Ask the breeder to email, fax or mail the puppy's pedigree (if it's not made up yet, have them
fax the mother and father's pedigree. A breeder that does not agree to this should be a warning
to you and you should be very wary of such breeders. There may be a high occurrence of
inbreeding in the puppy which could greatly increase the dog's risk of a bad hereditary disease.
D. When buying a purebred dog, there are hereditary diseases associated with each pure breed.
Do some research and find out what hereditary diseases the purebred of your choice could
possibly have.
E. Once you know what hereditary diseases your favorite dog breed may have, ask the breeder if
they have tested the puppy's parents for these diseases. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! If the breeder
thinks this idea is foolish, claims their breed does not have hereditary diseases or does not know
what you are talking about, go elsewhere to purchase your dog! If they have tested the mother
and father, then ask for them to email, fax or mail the test results to you. Any reputable breeder
should be perfectly willing to do this and not get defensive about it. You would be surprised how
many dog breeders have no idea of the hereditary diseases they might be breeding into dogs. If
you get too fed up with this whole process, either keeping looking or consider getting a mixed
breed. The hereditary disease risk lowers considerably when two breeds are mixed to produce a
mutt.
Note: If the mother or father is less than 1 or 2 years old, the test for a hereditary disease may
be ineffective. Check with your local vet first to see how old the mother or father has to be
before they can be checked for a particular disease.
F. If the breeder has sent you the pedigree and health certificates (including checks for
hereditary diseases) then definitely go look at the puppy or dog BEFORE you buy him or her.
You'll want to make sure the puppy looks okay.
1. Consider NOT buying a dog or puppy from a pet store (unless the store is holding a dog
adoption). Dog or puppies sold at pet stores could have bad diseases (both infectious and
hereditary) and the majority could come from puppy mills. Dogs from puppy mills are usually raised
in extremely poor and inhumane conditions that you would NEVER want to see a dog in.
Reputable breeders typically do NOT supply pet stores with animals. Reputable breeders usually
only breed their dogs a couple of times a year and can usually sell their healthy dogs by
themselves, through word of mouth, etc. Puppies raised in puppy mills also lack human
socialization, a CRITICAL developmental step in a puppy's young life. Puppies that are sold in pet
stores may spend crucial weeks of their development mostly confined to their boxes in the
store/puppy mill with little stimulation. If a puppy is not socialized with humans by 14 weeks of
age, it will never bond to humans.
Helpful Links
Petfinder - Adopt a Homeless Pet
Breed Selection - One Size Doesn't fit All
Dog Breed Profiles
Wonderpuppy.net - Excellent website with TONS of information
Fox Valley Humane Association
Bay Area Humane Society
Oshkosh Area Humane Society
Wisconsin Dog Rescue Website
It's great when we see those cute puppies or amazing dogs in the movies and on TV but those
dogs are highly trained or it's Hollywood magic...
So, you're looking for a new dog or a puppy? If this is your first time ever owning a dog, the best
place to start to look is in your bookstore, library and the internet. That's right because bringing
home a dog is no small thing and it will take research on your part so you will begin to know and
understand the nature of the animal you are bringing home to live with you and your family.
Before you even choose a specific breed, you will need to know all you can about what it means
to own a dog otherwise your new puppy might end up being another statistic in a shelter
somewhere. Visit dog shows, shelters, dog sporting events, etc. so you can get a feel for the
ways people interact with their dogs and the nature of individual breeds.
1. The first thing to know is that cute puppies do grow up into dogs. A wild, silly, nipping puppy
might seem cute or funny but it isn't so cute or funny in a full grown dog. So understanding the
nature of a dog and how to raise one is critical.
2. Next you want to determine what dog will work best for your particular lifestyle.
3. Don't let the movies or television dogs determine your choice -those dogs are highly trained
and most likely nothing like a "real" dog would be at home. You owe it to your potential dog to
know if he or she will be able to fit into your own lifestyle. You will also want to know what your
own expectations of owning a dog are and mean to you. It's really important you determine this
well beforehand so you don't end up being fully surprised and wondering what you've gotten
yourself into. That's how dogs end up surrendered to shelters because the owner didn't know
enough or care enough to learn about the dog, train the dog and commit to the dog.
4. If you're a sedentary sort that doesn't like to do hard exercise a Golden Retriever or a Jack
Russell Terrier may not be the breed for you. These breeds have a lot of energy and need
regular, daily exercise. If you're a runner and want a running companion, an English Mastiff may
not be the best choice for you. It pays to do your homework so you can find the best breed to
fit into your lifestyle.
5. Also keep in mind your dwelling space. If you're in a small apartment a giant breed would
probably not be your best choice. Also understand that if you work long hours each day, a puppy
may not be what will work for you either. A dog will bond to you no matter what their age is IF
you take the time to invest in them with love, training, and commitment. An older dog may be a
better choice for you if you do work long hours and can't be at home to let a puppy out to
potty, feed, and interact with many times during the day. Of course there are options for long
working hours such as doggie daycares and dog walkers/sitters, but make sure you have budgeted
in this commitment. Dogs are a time, money, love and life investment and I mean for their life not
yours. The rewards are bountiful if you'll do your part too. Dogs are always more than willing to
go above and beyond the call of duty and if you are also, the joy is boundless!
Do your homework, learn, and THEN commit to a breed that suits you. Remember a dog is for life
-their life!
Where to get a dog/puppy?
Try to adopt a dog from your local SPCA, Humane Society, or Rescue Organization. You will find
both mixed breeds and purebred dogs and puppies. All of these organizations are typically very
helpful and will help make sure you choose the right dog for your lifestyle.
If you want a purebred dog, buy only from a reputable breeder. And please DO NOT take the
breeders word that they are a reputable breeder. Do some investigation and research. Please
read below for tips on finding a reputable breeder.
Tips on Finding a Reputable Breeder who Breeds Healthy Purebred Puppies and Dogs
====================================================
What is a reputable breeder? They test for genetic and common diseases for their particular
breed, they minimize inbreeding, and they typically only have a few litters of puppies per year (so
they can provide the appropriate environment and health care for puppies).
A. Where do you find a reputable breeder? The following is a good starting point, but still do all of
your own research and do not take the breeder's word that they are reputable. The AKC
Breeder Referral website provides both breed organization and breed rescue group information
for the particular breed you are seeking. Also search on the Internet, using a search engine like
http://www.google.com, for breeders, breed organizations/clubs, breed rescue groups and/or
local kennel club groups in your area.
B. Do NOT go look at the puppy or dog first. The first step should be contacting the breeder on
the phone or via email. If you see the cute, adorable puppy first, then you will not want to do
any additional research!
C. Ask the breeder to email, fax or mail the puppy's pedigree (if it's not made up yet, have them
fax the mother and father's pedigree. A breeder that does not agree to this should be a warning
to you and you should be very wary of such breeders. There may be a high occurrence of
inbreeding in the puppy which could greatly increase the dog's risk of a bad hereditary disease.
D. When buying a purebred dog, there are hereditary diseases associated with each pure breed.
Do some research and find out what hereditary diseases the purebred of your choice could
possibly have.
E. Once you know what hereditary diseases your favorite dog breed may have, ask the breeder if
they have tested the puppy's parents for these diseases. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! If the breeder
thinks this idea is foolish, claims their breed does not have hereditary diseases or does not know
what you are talking about, go elsewhere to purchase your dog! If they have tested the mother
and father, then ask for them to email, fax or mail the test results to you. Any reputable breeder
should be perfectly willing to do this and not get defensive about it. You would be surprised how
many dog breeders have no idea of the hereditary diseases they might be breeding into dogs. If
you get too fed up with this whole process, either keeping looking or consider getting a mixed
breed. The hereditary disease risk lowers considerably when two breeds are mixed to produce a
mutt.
Note: If the mother or father is less than 1 or 2 years old, the test for a hereditary disease may
be ineffective. Check with your local vet first to see how old the mother or father has to be
before they can be checked for a particular disease.
F. If the breeder has sent you the pedigree and health certificates (including checks for
hereditary diseases) then definitely go look at the puppy or dog BEFORE you buy him or her.
You'll want to make sure the puppy looks okay.
1. Consider NOT buying a dog or puppy from a pet store (unless the store is holding a dog
adoption). Dog or puppies sold at pet stores could have bad diseases (both infectious and
hereditary) and the majority could come from puppy mills. Dogs from puppy mills are usually raised
in extremely poor and inhumane conditions that you would NEVER want to see a dog in.
Reputable breeders typically do NOT supply pet stores with animals. Reputable breeders usually
only breed their dogs a couple of times a year and can usually sell their healthy dogs by
themselves, through word of mouth, etc. Puppies raised in puppy mills also lack human
socialization, a CRITICAL developmental step in a puppy's young life. Puppies that are sold in pet
stores may spend crucial weeks of their development mostly confined to their boxes in the
store/puppy mill with little stimulation. If a puppy is not socialized with humans by 14 weeks of
age, it will never bond to humans.
Helpful Links
Petfinder - Adopt a Homeless Pet
Breed Selection - One Size Doesn't fit All
Dog Breed Profiles
Wonderpuppy.net - Excellent website with TONS of information
Fox Valley Humane Association
Bay Area Humane Society
Oshkosh Area Humane Society
Wisconsin Dog Rescue Website