| Adding a dog to your life can be one of the | | | | |
| best experiences ever – or an absolute | | | | Which breed is right for you and your family? |
| nightmare – depending on how much | | | | Here's a quick, easy-to-do quiz that might |
| thought and planning you've put into this | | | | help you narrow down the choices: |
| decision. | | | | www2.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm |
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| You need to consider your lifestyle and | | | | For many of us, a key factor that drives our |
| surroundings, the time and energy you have, | | | | choice of breeds is cost. Mixed breed dogs |
| as well as how much money you want to spend. | | | | are almost always more affordable than a |
| | | | purebred, though they make take more time and |
| So before you commit to those big brown eyes | | | | legwork to find. You might want to start with |
| and wagging tail, be sure you know (or have | | | | your local animal shelter where dogs are |
| at least thought about) the answers to some | | | | brought in for a variety of different reasons |
| pretty basic questions. | | | | and are examined by a vet and cared for until |
| | | | they can be adopted – some shelters |
| QUESTION #1 Puppy or adult dog? | | | | even screen dogs for behavior issues. |
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| It's the first thing you really need to think | | | | To adopt a dog (puppy or adult) from the |
| about. Puppies are cute and cuddly, but they | | | | shelter you'll typically be asked to pay a |
| don't stay that way for very long – | | | | small fee to cover the exams and cost of |
| you'll spend a lot more time with the adult | | | | neutering. |
| dog than you do the adorable puppy. | | | | |
| | | | Rescue groups are another source for a |
| You should also know that it's very hard to | | | | potential best friend. Here dogs are placed |
| get a good read on the future personality | | | | in foster care with an experienced and loving |
| (not to mention size, coat and activity | | | | host family, so you'll know a lot about each |
| level) of the adult dog from the puppy. Those | | | | animal's temperament and level of training. |
| adorable balls of fluff can also be | | | | If you do go this route, you should expect to |
| mischievous, defiant and destructive and go | | | | complete some type of application process, as |
| through a stage of rebellious adolescence | | | | well as submit to possible home visits and a |
| where they need almost constant supervision. | | | | somewhat lengthy screening process. |
| You should also consider the cost and time | | | | |
| commitment of vet visits, house training, | | | | If all this seems too involved for you, |
| behavior training and socialization. | | | | consider making a regular check your local |
| | | | paper's classified section. You should also |
| In contrast, adult dogs have passed through | | | | get the word out to family, friends and |
| all this – so what you see is what you | | | | co-workers. The more people who know you are |
| get. You may have little information on the | | | | looking, the better. |
| puppyhood and early life, but you'll more | | | | |
| than make up for this with an adult dog's | | | | QUESTION #3: Large or Small? |
| better attention span (making training | | | | |
| easier), as well as a more accurate read on | | | | As you have for the age and breed, you need |
| size and the amount of shedding. | | | | to put some serious thought into the size of |
| | | | the dog you plan to bring into your home. |
| Your vet will also be better able to diagnose | | | | Common sense might suggest that a large dog |
| health problems in an adult – ones that | | | | in a small apartment isn't the best choice, |
| cannot be foreseen in a puppy. What's more, | | | | but these arrangements can be quite |
| choosing an adult dog is a valuable service | | | | successful, if handled properly. Often it |
| to good animals that need a loving home. | | | | isn't so much about the size of the animal |
| You'll find some wonderful dogs at your local | | | | (or yours for that matter) but rather your |
| animal shelter or online at Other good | | | | ability to be in command and control at all |
| sources are your local classified pet column | | | | times that really counts. |
| for lots of good, loving dogs that are "free | | | | |
| to good home". | | | | Beyond this, larger breeds tend to cost more |
| | | | – you'll need to buy more food, bigger |
| QUESTION #2: Purebred or Mixed Breed? | | | | crates, beds and toys, not to mention a |
| | | | sturdier collar and leash. Vet bills for |
| If you've got your heart set on a particular | | | | surgery or medications will be higher, and |
| look or breed, need to consider allergies or | | | | grooming will also cost more. |
| other health issues, or have a specific | | | | |
| purpose (a hunting companion or guard dog) in | | | | Smaller breeds are more affordable, but have |
| mind, then a pure breed is probably the right | | | | a reputation (not deserved, but popular) for |
| choice. The American Kennel Club (online at | | | | being high-strung and nippy, and can easily |
| akc.org/) recognizes over 150 different | | | | get underfoot, be hurt unintentionally or |
| breeds and offers a good deal of information | | | | slip off unnoticed in the hustle and bustle |
| on each one. | | | | of a busy home. |
| | | | |
| Purebreds come with generations of breeding | | | | Answer, or at least think about, these |
| to strengthen and refine special skills | | | | questions and you'll have a much better idea |
| – so that tracking or retrieving | | | | of what you're getting into. Not that you |
| abilities become far superior to those of the | | | | still can't be swept away by a pair of wide, |
| general population of dogs. The down side is | | | | trusting eyes or an adorable little face, but |
| that this can unknowingly pass on other, less | | | | when that moment comes you'll have a far |
| desirable traits or serious health problems | | | | better chance of making this new addition to |
| as well. | | | | your life a lasting one. |