Wednesday, April 2, 2008

What you should know before getting or adopting a new dog.

Not all dogs are created equal. The variations in nature and traits among dog breeds can be as diverse as the dissimilarities in people. Discovering the right match between the dog breed with the holder or family is the key to success in taking a dog into your home.

There are a lot of races that are naturally introduced to the dog world and also those created specially by breeding two dissimilar dogs, just like with Labradoodle (cross breed between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle).

You should also consider what dog breed you can take care. A home with a big yard is adequate room for a huge dog to run and also play.

Do you want a pet that is strong, yet cuddly and plays well with kids? Are you hoping of getting a guard dog for your business? Do you want to develop a show dog especially for competitions?

Maybe you just want to have a loyal companion, petite enough to have in an apartment and calm enough to sit with your family members and have fun? These are practical concerns to think about as you hunt for the right dog breed.

Are you living by yourself in your home? If you are the type of person who works long hours you should choose a dog breed that can manage with many time alone at home – possibly dog breed that like dog toys and can also entertains himself.

If you live with small kids a medium to large-size pet dog is a better choice since it is gentle by nature and tolerant with kids. Your kids might think that their pet is like a toy – they don't understand it's a living; breathing being that can get hurt and become aggressive by their actions.

There are dog breeds that will not tolerate the antics of small kids, but would be great with older children. A perfect choice of dog for older adults is a breed that doesn’t need that much maintenance.

Another two categories of dogs are those that shed and those that do not shed. Dog shedding is a big trouble of dog owners. Dog hair clings to furniture, clothing as well as people who sit anywhere in the house. Don’t be fooled by short haired dogs because they too can shed. Shedding can be divided into barely sheds, seasonal only shedding or constant shedding.

Height and weight are considered when it comes to dog size. Smaller dogs weigh less than 10 pounds, medium dogs weigh 11-25 pounds, large dogs weigh 26-50 pounds and extra large dogs weight 51-80 pounds. There are also extremely large dog breeds that can reach up to 100-180 pounds. Now you see why size is also a big factor in picking a dog that is suited for your family.

Do you think your furniture can take a large dog? In choosing a dog breed always bear in mind to base your decision on the size the dog breed will grow to as an adult and not on the look of the puppy.

Big dogs are also big eaters. If you bring home a large dog, you may need a second job just to pay for the dog food and health care.

Health care is another thing to consider. Some dogs require extra grooming than others. Dogs like poodles or show dogs may spend a little more time in grooming centers than you do. There are also dogs that need weekly (or even daily) grooming to keep their furs well maintained. Don’t forget to research about the breed that you want. Check the dog’s character, size, and grooming requirements before you make any decision. Researching those important information will surely save you a lot of time and avoid any problem in taking care of the dog. Remember that it’s only fair to the dog you choose that you be ready for the dog’s basic needs, aside from giving them love and attention that only you and your family can give.