THINKING ABOUT BUYING A PUPPY OR A DOG?

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED:

• How much research have you done into the breed that you would like.
• Have you enough time to give your new puppy/dog.
• If you have a family, does the breed get on with children.
• Is the dog going to prefer a one to one partnership.
• Are you physically and mentally able to have a dog
• Have you enough time to put in the training.
• When you go on holiday, who will look after it.
• Remember that dogs need exercise in ALL weathers.
• Can you afford your new puppy/dog, vets bills, food, bedding, insurance, dog proofing your garden, grooming.
• Your new addition will have an average life span of 12 years.
• Do you want a pedigree or mongrel.
• What size do you want your grown dog to be and will it fit into your environment.
• Will your choice of dog fit into your vehicle.
• If you don’t have transport can you manage to get to the vets in an emergency, if necessary?
• If you choose to buy a rescue dog remember that it MAY come with issues, do you want that.

We don’t mean to scare you with these questions but over the years we have encountered clients who HAVEN’T asked the right questions. If you have honestly answered these questions: GREAT!!! Enjoy your new addition!! We have more fact sheets available here to help you on your way.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUPPY or DOG ............ for you

Please remember that each dog breed has its own characteristics. If you match these characteristics with your personality and lifestyle you will most likely have a happy and fulfilling relationship with your dog. Be honest with yourself though and don’t buy a certain breed and think you will change your lifestyle to fit in with it; this doesn’t always have a happy ending.

You have decided that you are the right person to own a dog/puppy so now you need to consider a few more questions; we have put together some guidance notes for you.

Male or Female?

Male

• Dogs can be more dominant.
• Dogs tend to grow bigger within a breed as compared to a bitch.
• Are you prepared to have your dog castrated if necessary.
• Dogs can scent mark frequently and be more sexual.

Bitch

• A bitch will come into “season” every 6 months.
• Do you want to neuter her? If not great care must be taken when she is in season.
• Cost of neutering.
• Weight can increase at times after neutering if the weight isn’t monitored.
• Phantom pregnancies.

Puppy or Dog?

Puppy

• You start off with a blank canvas, only to a point though as a puppy will always be its breed and a dog first and foremost.
• You can train and mould a puppy immediately into your ways.
• Will be able to grow up with the family
• There will be toilet training to go through.
• Regular 3-4 meals a day
• First course of vaccinations
• Needs correct supervision

Dog

• Usually toilet trained
• Harder to change bad habits and introduce training (depending on the age of the older dog).
• With an older dog you don’t always know its background. Remember previous owners can be conservative with the truth.
• Care needs to be taken when introducing it to the family, strangers etc

Size matters

• Does your choice of breed of dog suit your house in relation to its size.
• Will it fit comfortably into your car, whatever the length of time it will be in it.
• Does its size suit the age of your children.
• Remember a large dog generally NEEDS more exercise.
• A smaller dog depending on the breed could need more than a potter round the garden. E.g. a working terrier will need the correct stimulation just as much as a Springer Spaniel.
• What do you want from your dog? A Great Dane won’t fit on your lap!
• Does the size of your dog suit your friends and family who might look after it when you are away.
• Large dogs generally don’t live as long as smaller dogs.
• Larger dogs will cost more to feed.
• Smaller dogs are not as expensive to insure as larger dogs.
• Larger dogs generally cost more in vets’ bills.

Coat Length and type

When buying a pedigree dog remember to check hip scores, eye scores, genetic illnesses, elbow Dysplasia, etc, diseases prone to certain breeds.

Different breeds have different temperaments

• have you thoroughly checked the breeding and breeder.
• Possible advantages of purebred dogs:
• If you are seeking a dog and need it for a specific purpose, you may be better off choosing a purebred that has been selectively bred with those traits in mind. While it is often said that any dog can be trained to do anything, you may be wiser to use the years of experience and efforts of others than try to start on your own. For example, someone who is interested in showing, herding, hunting, scent work or other specific tasks would be better off choosing a dog from one of the breeds that have been devoted to those specialized fields. Through generations of selective breeding, these traits have been refined and strengthened well past those found in the general population of dogs.
• For some people their choice as to which dog they should get is based on their own physical makeup or problems. If a respiratory condition or allergy means you should not be around dogs that shed excessively, you should select a breed that's appropriate for your own health. Certain kinds of dogs are well known for their non-shedding characteristics. In reality, they do shed but generally much less than typical breeds. Examples are the various Poodles and Schnauzers. In these situations in which a specific physical trait such as the amount that an animal sheds is important in your dog, it is probably better to choose a purebred. It would be very difficult if not impossible to predict the degree of shedding that a mixed breed puppy will display as an adult.
• Some dog owners find certain dogs more attractive than others and simply must have one that looks like that. It would be foolish for them to choose a different breed or one of mixed lineage. If someone knows what they want their dog to look like as an adult, but are starting with a puppy, they need to choose a member of that breed to insure they get what they want a year later.
• Some dog breeds are known for having certain personalities or behaviour patterns. You can select one that matches yours or what you would prefer to see in your pet. Golden Retrievers are known for their laid-back, calm personalities. To some that is the perfect dog. Others however would prefer a more out going, excitable dog. Still others might want an animal for protection of their home. Certain lines of some breeds have been bred for this type of work and are therefore a natural choice.
• Some advantages of mixed breeds:
• Keep in mind when thinking about purebred dogs that many man-made alterations in the basic structure and behaviour from the original historical canine model have brought along some disadvantages. Some dogs, especially those with short noses that at times seem to be pushed back into their heads may have difficulty breathing or giving birth to their puppies naturally. Excessively large or giant breeds usually have shorter life spans, often by several years. Breeds with excessive skin folds are generally more prone to bacterial skin infections.
• In other purebreds, harmful or unwanted characteristics have arisen. Whenever breeders select for one trait they may unknowingly select for many others. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative and often severely debilitating disease of the hip joint of dogs. It is transmitted from one generation to the next through genetics. This condition is rare in wild dogs. Any condition that decreases the overall ability of a wild animal to compete in their world is quickly eliminated through natural selection. However, through human engineered selective processes, this condition has become common in several breeds. Breeding has, it would seem, unknowingly potentiated the genetically transferred information that controls this disease. Today, concerned and ethical breeders work very hard to eliminate undesirable traits from their breeds. They truly care about the animals they produce and their future.
• When considering your choice between a purebred and mixed breed, don't forget the cost. Mixed breed models are usually free or go for only a small adoption fee. In some households this can mean the difference between getting a dog or not. We promise you the child that receives his first puppy will rarely care about its color, hair coat, size or the price paid