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Pups are very appealing, but they are a lot of work, and you may want to take on an adult dog for this and other reasons, like wanting to take over an abandoned dog. You can more easily tell what an adult is like, and it's less easy to tell how a pup will turn out. But pups are much easier to train so they become the sort of dogs you want, and you will need to be very patient in training an adult. It's also best to take some time off work to help an adult dog settle in, just as you do with a pup, so you will still need to invest some time at first, whether you get a pup or an adult dog.
Male or bitch
- and what about spaying and neutering? One choice you need to make before getting a dog is deciding whether you want a male or bitch. The gender differences vary from breed to breed, but the most common differences are:
Heat
Unspayed bitches go into heat, usually about twice a year, (though basenjis do this only once) and need to be watched extra carefully during these periods. Bitches can and do go after dogs to mate with, and can become very good at escaping. Some owners find the bleeding troublesome, while other don't take much notice whether it's because the bitch bleeds very little or because she is good at cleaning up after herself. Due to hormonal alterations in connection with the heat, some bitches tend to get a bit moody during these periods, and possibly also during the false pregnancy, should it occur. This may be a drawback if you plan to use your dog in competitions or hunting, but for the ordinary family dog it usually doesn't make much difference beyond the extra trouble.
Uncastrated male dogs are "in heat" all the time, meaning that they are always interested in bitches, and bitches in heat in particular. They mark territory, and are more likely to run off or be generally stressed when they smell a bitch in heat. They may also howl and refuse to eat after smelling a bitch in season.
Temperament
When it comes to differences in temperament between the two genders you need to look at each individual breed. In general the males are more playful and affectionate, while the bitches are usually more "serious" and calm, and take better to obedience training. Some bitches are likely to be aggressive towards other bitches. On the other hand you will find that the same is true for many males, especially male dogs in their adolescence. Fights between dogs tend to be less serious than fights between bitches. However, a lot can be done to minimize such problems. Proper socialization and obedience training is of utmost importance to achieve a well behaved dog that gets along with most other dogs. If you already have a dog, it's safer to get one of the opposite sex, because same-sex dogs are more likely to fight, and fights between two bitches that live together can be very serious and difficult to control, however much you try obedience training.
Health
Males and bitches are vulnerable to the same types of diseases, but some are exclusive of only one gender or the other. Unspayed bitches are at risk of getting certain life-threatening disease, especially pyometra (infection of the uterus), and mammary tumours. Male dogs may get infections in their foreskin. Uncastrated dogs may develop tumors in their testicles, especially as they get older, and if they have only one testicle, there is an increased risk of their getting tumours in the testicle left in the abdomen.
Spaying and neutering
There are, then, some good health reasons for spaying and neutering, but the case is stronger for bitches than for dogs. Spayed bitches tend to live longer, according to a British study, mainly because they are less vulnerable to mammary cancer (1). Castrated dogs, however, do not appear to have a health advantage over entire dogs, since, though they are less vulnerable to cancer, they are more vulnerable to heart disease. The longevity difference in the British sample is small, with entire male dogs living on average a few months longer than castrated dogs. The sample size of castrated dogs is also quite small, since most dogs in the sample were entire. Owners of entire dogs do need to check their dogs' testicles regularly for lumps.
A second reason for having a neutered dog is to improve behaviour. Spaying is not likely to improve a bitch's behaviour, except that you will lose the moodiness and desire to escape associated with seasons. Castration may make dogs less likely to wander, mark territory, mount people, objects and other dogs, and fight other dogs, but dogs may still do all these things even after they have been castrated. Dogs that bite humans in the US tend to be entire males, but this link may be partly due to castrated males being better cared for, and less likely to be left unattended in yards. Castration is no substitute for proper training and care. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that castrated dogs are not as adept at certain working dog tasks, though this does not apply to bitches.
The third reason for having a neutered dog is to keep down the number of unwanted dogs. This is the main reason for there being a strong drive to neuter dogs in the US. There is less of an unwanted dog problem in Scandinavia, and dogs there tend not to be neutered. In Britain, the unwanted dog problem is less serious than in the US, but appears to be more serious than in Scandinavia, and bitches tend to be spayed, while more trainers and other dog people advocate leaving male dogs entire than is the case for the US. However, dogs acquired from rescue centers are usually spayed or castrated, in Britain as in the US. Attitudes to whether one should have an entire or a neutered dog depend very much on where one comes from, but the decision still needs some thought.
Choosing a breed
Mutt/Cross or pedigree?
The main reason for getting a pedigree pup is that it is easier to predict how they will turn out than mutts (mongrels) . However, mongrels have the advantage of being unique. They may also be healthier than pedigree dogs, but this is not necessarily the case, since the parents may both have vulnerability to the same defects, even if they are from different breeds. You can assess the character of an adult mutt, so are less likely to be surprised than with a pup, but there may still be surprises health-wise. Mutt pups are more predictable in terms of behaviour if their parents all come from the same breed type, eg herding dogs, rather than different types, eg herding and guard dogs.
Choose a breed you will be happy with
When you have decided to get a dog, it's important to find a breed that will suit your needs as well as a breed you are suited to provide a good life for. There are more than 400 breeds to choose from, all with different looks, temperaments, abilities, health problems, needs, and so on. All of these qualities must be taken into account in order to find the perfect match for you and your family. If you are planning to use your dog for some special purpose like hunting, herding, obedience trials etc., it is wise to seek breed advice from someone with knowledge of this particular field.
Things to consider when looking for a family dog
Prey drive. Typical hunting dogs such as different hounds originally bred to hunt, arctic breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, and terriers have a very strong prey drive which may be nearly impossible to curb and it will be difficult to let these dogs off the leash in areas with prey without the dog running off to hunt. In addition, these types of dogs also have a more than average need of physical exercise and are fairly active breeds. If you are considering any of these breeds you also need to consider whether you are capable of providing a meaningful life for such a dog.
Territoriality. Many breeds such are bred to protect people or property. These will often have a strong desire to protect you and your family from people who approach you on walks or when people come to your door. These dogs are also more likely to become possessive of food and items if you are not careful. If you do not appreciate these qualities, it's better to choose another type of dog.
Mental and physical exercise. Sheep herding dogs (shepherds) are more likely to be nervous and vulnerable to stress, especially if they have a life with too little stimulation, or the wrong type of stimulation. All dogs need to use their brains as well as their bodies. Dogs who suffer from lack of stimulation may develop behavioral problems as a result. It's predominant in shepherds, but other breeds need adequate mental and physical exercise as well. How much time you are willing to spend and the type of activities you are interested in providing for your dog, should make a difference when you choose your breed. Keeping a shepherd, like a border collie, as a lap dog just isn't a good idea. Note: Too much exercise, and especially stressful games, may cause anxiety and stress problems too.
Barking. Many of the shepherds, the watch dogs, the livestock-guarding dogs and the hunting dogs have a low threshold for barking. This means that they bark often, a lot and at anything that excite them; such as people, animals, different sounds or out of plain boredom. The barking is controllable to a certain degree, but if this is a behaviour you do not want in a dog, you should find another breed.
Grooming. Dogs with long fur demand more grooming than shorthaired dogs. They get dirtier outside, and lumps of snow have a tendency to stick to their fur, which may prevent them from moving around freely. On the other hand, shorthaired dogs tend to shed more, require that you vacuum more often, and the shorter hairs seem to stick better to furniture, carpets and clothes. However, the fact that some dogs require more brushing, cutting or stripping than others isn't necessarily a disadvantage as it allows for plenty of quality time with the dog. If you prefer grooming to vacuuming, maybe a longhaired breed is the right choice for you.
Health problems. Some breeds are more exposed to health problems than others and this is something that needs to be taken into account when choosing a breed. Typical problems in breeds may be hip and elbow displasia, recurring skin, ear and eye infections, body shapes requiring caesarean operation to give birth, projecting eyes which get injured easily, trouble breathing or with tear canals due to the nose shape, epilepsy, cancer and other ailments which are hereditary. Giant breeds, like Irish wolfhounds, tend to have very short lifespans, whereas whippets tend to live a long time. There is no way to guarantee that you will have a healthy dog, but by choosing a healthy breed you can avoid many problems.
Size. This is mainly about personal preference. Dogs are dogs whether they are small or large, but are often suited for different purposes. Some prefer small dogs because they are easy transport and carry when needed, etc. Others prefer medium-sized dogs because they easier to handle size-wise than a large dog and can be carried in an emergency. Yet others prefer the large dogs for their robust appearance. Whichever you prefer, do choose a dog you and your family can control - a large boisterous and headstrong dog may not be the best choice for a family with children, for example. The physical space of your home is important too as both humans and animals will suffer stress if contained in too small an environment. Husband yelling at dog because he can't see over the dog to watch the football or reach past the dog to grab the TV controls tends not to make for the most harmonious family household!
Looks. The best advice is to let appearance come second when choosing a dog. Choose your dog for the behavioural qualities you value most and not from its looks.
The final choice of breed
You can start out by making a list of qualities you look for in a dog, as well as the types of activities you wish to do with your dog. When you are ready to start investigating the different breeds, you can buy or borrow a book with an overview and description of all breeds to find out which breeds may be suited for you. Note that the descriptions in the dog books aren't always very accurate or up to date, and that you need to make a more thorough investigation before you make your final choice (2). Some breeds may also have different characteristics depending on which country you live in, and what their role is in that country (3). Chris Walkowicz's 'Choosing a Dog for Dummies' is a good up-to-date book for breed information - don't be put off by the title!
Once you have decided on one or more breeds you like, the time has come to start talking to people with knowledge of the breed(s). Dog shows are an excellent way to get in touch with people as well as forming a better impression of the breeds you are investigating. The kennel club in your country will also be able to help you get in touch with the breed clubs.
Choosing a breeder
There are good breeders and not so good breeders. It is wise to make a note of this for when it is time to start looking for the puppy of your choice, both because a dishonest breeder may cheat you and because it is valuable to have a good relationship with one's breeder. A good breeder is honest, and willing to provide information and follow up help whenever you need it. An honest breeder makes sure the buyer gets a suitable and healthy puppy, a contract which covers what happens if things go wrong, and carries out health checks needed for that particular breed. Talk to people in the breed club, former buyers and, of course, to the breeder. Things of interest are the quality of the parent dogs, quality of former litters of the parents, handling, habituation and socialization of the litter before they leave the breeder, what the price includes (such as medical certificate from a veterinary, Id tattoo or chip, registration, pedigree, payback in case of ailments discovered later, etc.) and what the breeder requires from you as a buyer. You can ask to see a copy of a contract and have experienced people look at it for you. You can, and should, also visit the breeder to have a look at the conditions under which the dogs live, as well as meeting the breeder and the parent dogs. Take someone experienced along if you feel you need to.
Note: When asking others for their opinion of the breeder, you will get a range of different opinions, so use your common sense and gut feeling when making the final choice.
Why shouldn't I get a pet store/puppy farm (mill) pup?
You may find a very appealing pedigree pup from a bad breeder or a pet store that you want to rescue, but think hard about what you are doing. The pup may have all sorts of health problems due to poor selection of parents, or may not have been socialized properly, which could seriously affect your relationship with the pup as s/he grows up. You are also encouraging badly bred and poorly cared for pups to come into the world, if you pay good money for such pups. Better to get a mutt locally, that has been well socialized in a family kitchen, and which has healthy parents. Ironically, you can often find out more about mutts' ancestors, than those of pedigree dogs, since mutts are often local dogs, and you may even be able to check whether the grandparents and great grandparents were healthy and good tempered dogs. You could also get a rescue dog, if you want to help an abandoned dog, and you can get more help from the rescue organization than from the pet shop!
What about rescue dogs?
An adult rescue dog can be a great choice for a family pet. Many of the dogs that find themselves in shelters are there through no fault of their own, purely as victims of circumstance such as bereavement, a relationship breakdown or other such unforeseeable situation. Many will be already well trained, housetrained and experienced to life situations making them an excellent choice for the first time dog owner or the dog owner who suddenly finds they have to spend more time away from home and so has a need a companion for their existing dog.
Choosing a dog from a shelter
When choosing such a dog it is important that the whole family and any other family dogs come too. After all, you will all have to live together and this will not be easy if the youngest child is frightened of the new dog or your existing dog will not accept the new arrival and you are constantly having to break - up fights.
Have a 'check list' in hand for qualities you are particularly looking for such as a dog that will enjoys playing ball games with the kids or one that is particularly keen on car travelling and that enjoys going out and about. Although it is hard do, try to let looks be your last consideration, though it is understandably important. You have to be able to love your new dog! It is a sad fact that many little black dogs are overlooked despite having all the qualities of great family pets, the reason being that they often appear less striking than the some of the other dogs around them.
Usually, once you have chosen the dog you are looking for, an appointment will be made for a 'home checker' to visit you at your home and discuss how you plan to care for your new arrival. This is a two way opportunity: for them to ensure that you are genuine and are prepared to keep your dog fit and well in suitable conditions and for you to ask any questions you may have about how to look after and train your dog, and what sort of aftercare is available from the shelter.
Most larger rescue and rehoming organisations will not pass a dog on to a new home until they are satisfied that the dog is fit and in good condition. Some smaller and independent shelters may consider allowing you to take a dog that does need on-going treatment to help it recover from serious neglect and / or abuse. The reason for this is that a dog will usually make a much quicker recovery if he or she feels secure in a family environment. Needless to say these shelters will want to know that you do have a good understanding of dogs first and will offer continued support.
The challenges of helping a dog that has suffered neglect and abuse can be very rewarding but it is important to consider the effects this might have on your family and is certainly not advisable if you have a young family. The downside is of course, just as some people who have suffered trauma or abuse, mental scars can take a long time to heal and some dogs never fully recover. This is a risk you take and one you have to be able to accept when you adopt your dog.
What time of year to get a puppy
If you live in a place with cold winters, Spring is generally best suited to getting a puppy. During this time it will be warm enough for the puppy to handle being outside - housetraining will go easier and it makes it easy to socialize your puppy with people and other dogs. The most important factor in choosing the proper time, however, should be when you are able to take time off from work or other obligations in order to spend all of your time with your puppy in the first weeks and even months right after you get your puppy. An eight weeks old puppy, or even an older dog, cannot be left alone from the very beginning. You need to spend several weeks getting the dog used to being alone just for a couple of hours. Many behaviourists don't recommend leaving the dog alone for a whole working day at all, and especially not a puppy. Thus, if you need to leave your dog in the beginning or for too long later, arrange to have someone taking care of him/her for you while you are gone, or take the puppy to work with you if that is an option.
Choosing a puppy in a litter
Breeders often operate with "waiting lists", and especially for litters of popular parents or rare breeds. Thus, you may not get a chance to choose a puppy from the litter. However, if you should be so lucky to be able to choose, you need to consider closely what type of personality you are looking for in your puppy. This is especially important if your plans for your dog go beyond being an "ordinary family dog", but also important when choosing a family dog. If you feel unqualified to make the right choice, bring someone experienced along or ask the breeder for help. The breeder, who has seen the litter develop, should be able to pick out a suitable puppy for you. Generally speaking, the puppy should be interested in people, seem safe and healthy, not react with fear or anxiety when hearing relatively common sounds, calm down quickly if frightened, seem awake, and be interested in what goes on around ihim/her. Notice how the puppy reacts when handled, whether with fear, protests or accepting it. Watch the pup play with his littermates. How does he deal with being taken away from its littermates? Does he seem tough, anxious or calm? By noticing these things, you get an impression of what sort of personality you are dealing with and it will help you make the right choice. When it is time to pick up the puppy, check the same things over again and especially that the pup seems healthy. Clear eyes, normal feces, shiny fur, and not too thin or obese are signs that the puppy is in good shape.
And last, are you ready for this task?
Being a puppy parent is an important and demanding task. In order for the puppy to be housetrained, you need to go outside with him each time he has played, eaten or slept, maybe even in the middle of the night. The puppy will need to be watched and given activities to do, and things and people will be chewed on. You will need to make sure the pup is properly socialized with people, animals and new places, so you will be taking him to visit friends and family, to the dog park, to puppy class, on the bus and train, in the car, etc. The pup also needs to learn how to behave. During the first year or two, the dog will go through puberty, which can be quite a bit of work. It's a lot of hard work to bring up a well-adjusted dog, and you can see this by looking at the number of adolescent dogs that are rehomed. All of this may sound intimidating, and at times it is! But if you take one day at a time and prepare yourself thoroughly in advance, you can make. Just remember, if you are in doubt, it is better to change your mind now before you get the puppy. Good luck!
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF THE DOG!:
1.My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
2.Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3.Place your trust in me- it is crucial for my well-being.
4.Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up for my punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you!
5.Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6.Be aware that however you treat me, I'll NEVER forget it.
7.Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
8.Before you scold be for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.
9.Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
10.Go with me on the most difficult journey. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it" or, "Let it happen In my absence." Everything is easier for ME if you are there. Remember, I love you.
