A Dog Is For Life

Once you decide on bringing home a new canine friend, selecting the right puppy is a crucial decision that should be given a lot of thought and consideration by you and the entire household. The right puppy will make a terrific friend and companion throughout for many years to come, while the wrong puppy may end up being isolated in the backyard or worse, taken to a shelter home.

There is no such thing as the perfect puppy for everybody. There are, however, several hundreds of breeds to choose from. With a little research and self-evaluation, it is possible for any person to find the right puppy for him or herself.

Exercise Requirements

One of the things you need to consider in determining the right breed is his personality as an adult dog. All puppies are energetic and active, but once he reaches adulthood, his level of activity should match with your personality and lifestyle.

If you are the type of person who likes to spend a lot of time indoors, on the couch, and in front of the television or reading a book, you need to pick a puppy that will also enjoy the same lifestyle.

On the other hand, if you have an active lifestyle and are looking for a dog that shares the same level of energy as you, consider getting a sporting breed. These dogs have an unlimited amount of energy and will be more than happy to go out with you hiking, jogging, or spending time playing with your kids.

Size

Do not assume that a dog's size directly reflects his activity levels. Most small and toy breeds are very active and enjoy a lot of running around, while large, giant breeds have moderate-to-low levels of activity and are more content laying on the sofa than running around outside.

However, when it comes to your living situation, size can be a big influence in deciding which type of dog to have. If you live on the ninth floor apartment complex and plan on paper training your dog instead of dragging him nine floors down for his potty break, you are better off with a small breed.

Small-to-medium size dogs are also preferred for households with small children. It is easy for big dogs to accidentally knock down a small child during playtime or with a swipe of his tail.

If you prefer a big breed, you also need to keep in mind that they generally shed more, eat more, and potentially cost more in medical expenses (medications are usually prescribed according to size and weight).

If you are a couch potato, then consider a breed that doesn't require a high demand of physical activity. Although they still need to be exercised everyday, they usually get enough of it by running around the house.

Examples of these breeds are: English Toy Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Shih-Tzu, Chihuahua, and Yorkshire Terrier. If you prefer a larger dog, go for a Clumber Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Mastiff, Sussex Spaniel, or Bulldog.

If you love spending time outdoors, go for a sporting breed, particularly one from a spaniel family such as a Cocker Spaniel or the retriever family such as a Golden Retriever. These breeds have a moderate-to-high level of activity.

If you are a very active person and would like a dog that can keep up with your own high energy output, consider other breeds from the sporting group such as an English Springer Spaniel, a Labrador Retriever, or a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Breeds that do well in outdoor activities and are considered to be canine athletes include Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Belgian Sheepdogs, Border Collies, Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

If you prefer a smaller breed, then consider a Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Papillon. These dogs are not only smart, but also excel in speed and agility.

Are you looking for a dog that your child can grow up with? Then pick one that has a gentle personality and large enough so that he won't be injured by your child. Breeds to consider are Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bulldog, Collie, Basset Hound, Standard Poodle, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Scottish Deerhound, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Bouviers des Flandres.

If you want a dog that acts and looks like a bodyguard, one that is always on alert and barks at anything unusual, a breed from the working or herding group might be for you. Examples are Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Belgian Tervuren, German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Mastiff, Belgian Malinois, Canaan Dog, and Standard Schnauzer.

In need of a training partner? A high-energy breed may be the dog for you. Some examples of are Golden and Labrador Retrievers, English Setter, Brittany, Weimaraner, Vizsla, Flat-Coated Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Basenji, Akita, Dalmatian, Norwegian Elkhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, English Springer Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Irish Setter.

Love boating or going the beach? Consider a dog born to swim such as a Labrador Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Otterhound, Irish Water Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, American Water Spaniel, and Newfoundland.

Nothing is more adorable than seeing a small child and a loving puppy playing happily together. What's even better to know, is that psychological studies have proven that people who are fortunate enough to grow up with a dog in the family household tend to have happier childhoods.

Kids who grow up with a family dog learn respect for other creatures as well as caring for them. These kids learn empathy, sympathy, handling responsibilities. They also develop self-confidence and self-esteem by knowing they are contributing to taking care of a living creature.

You Must Help

These benefits and learning experiences between children and their pets do not occur automatically. It takes a responsible and patient adult to properly introduce the child to the new puppy and teach him/her how to properly interact with this new member of the family.

At the same time, the puppy needs to learn respect and obey the child the same way as he respects and obeys the other members of the household. This way, every member of the family can have a loving and healthy relationship.

The manner in which you approach your puppy and the experiences that you give him from his very first minute in the house will create a lasting impact throughout his entire life. From the first introduction, your child should learn the proper way to treat the puppy. Your child should realize that the puppy is a baby, and in many ways should be treated like one.

Avoiding Injuries To The Puppy & Your Child

Children around the age of 7 years and younger have the tendency to get excited when faced with new situations and experiences. This excitement may not be ideal when it comes to meeting a new puppy, or a dog of any age for that matter.

Excited behaviors such as making loud noises, chasing after the puppy, pulling at him, and other aggressive behaviors will result in the puppy getting scared.

In this situation, the puppy will more likely run away instead of letting the child pet him. A very young puppy will try to find his mom and hide under her, while a puppy around 12 weeks old will perceive these behaviors as either a threat or an aggressive play and will most likely react by nipping or jumping up.

The proper way of introducing your new pet to your child is through restraint and guidance. Your child should realize that the puppy is a baby and that your child should be gentle when handling him. To better teach your young ones how to be gentle, use a stuffed animal and teach her how to pet it properly. Practice this with your child for a few days before the puppy arrives home.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a true dog lover? If there was one thing that you can do in this world that would greatly contribute to the canine family, would you be willing to sacrifice a little extra time and patience?

What I am talking about is adopting a dog or puppy from your local animal shelter. There is no better service you or I could make in terms of raising a dog than by providing a positive, loving home to a perfectly good shelter animal.

For some of you, the idea of adopting a shelter dog will instantly cause you to become negative or feel defensive toward these animals. You have too many preconceived notions and assumptions that could be stopping you from saving a dog's life, one that would make a great house pet if you just had the open mind and a little bit of extra time to train it.

Have I Talked You Into Adoption Yet?

I'm sure it may take a bit more persuasion for some of you to open up your hearts and minds to adopting a shelter dog, but for the rest of you who have decided that you want to visit your local animal shelters to find a dog or puppy who needs a good home, make sure that you approach the staff with a few questions before making your decision.

Ask about what kind of medical treatment the dogs receive. Most organized animal shelters will at least provide the minimum care necessary needed for a dog to go home with you, however, there are some places that unfortunately neglect important medical guidelines.

What To Look For

Any organization that handles animals should have a licensed veterinarian on staff at all times. This veterinarian will provide vaccinations in order to prevent hepatitis, distemper, and other health issues. Ask the staff, or talk with the veterinarian if possible, if these dogs have had their blood checked for heartworms. And is the skin clean of fleas and other parasites?

These are just the basic medical requirements that every person should look for when adopting a dog from an animal shelter. Other needs may be a bit more complex.

For example, do you have your sights set on a dog that has been injured in the past, or is currently healing from an injury? What type of injury is it? What type of medication and treatment has the dog received? Ask about the cost of future treatment and medical needs that will arise.

And Don't Forget...

Another important set of questions and research that you should talk with your local animal shelter about is whether or not they have a professional who evaluates each dogs' temperament. Most shelters have this information posted on the front of each cage that is designated to the specific dog, or other animal.

It is important that you take this information and assess whether or not it is detailed enough so that the dog can be trusted with your family set up. The staff should also know how the animal reacts with children and around outside stimulants such as moving cars, other people, etc.

This information is valuable in determining whether or not the shelter dog you are considering will be a good match for your home situation. In addition, ask the staff specific questions regarding a dog's attitude towards being submissive or dominant. Are they overprotective of territory? How often does aggressive behavior occur and for what reasons? The more questions you ask, the better you will feel when you take your adopted shelter dog home.