"If You Haven't Yet Gotten a Puppy (But Will Soon!)..."

By Jill Rose

So, you have made the decision developing a squirming little puppy into that loyal steadfast companion that you have always dreamed of? You're joining a group of people whose members stretch back through thousands of years!

Humans have enjoyed a special, unique relationship with dogs for as long as can be remembered. There are other animals like mules who help humans our daily tasks but are not companions. A few others are companions but perform no service. (Ever owned a cat?) Dogs do both and demand only room, board, and affection.

Selecting Your New Friend

First, are you interested in a working dog? If so, there are specific breeds suited to being guard dogs, guide dogs, herding dogs, etc. Information regarding individual breeds can readily be found on the Internet at sites such as http://personal.uncc.edu/jvanoate/k9/work.htm.

Do you have allergies? An estimated 15 to 30 percent of people with allergies react to dog dander. All is not lost, however. Poodles (both standard and toy) and many terriers do not normally cause a reaction.

Do you live in an apartment? Check with your landlord regarding weight limitations. That puppy will grow into a dog! Too often people do not check their lease and learn the heartbreaking news that they or the dog must leave once their little ball of fur grows into a big ball of fur!

While some breeds do well lying about the house all day while his people are gone, others simply must have a fenced yard to expend their energy. This is a critical issue. A dog not getting the appropriate amount of exercise will have behavior problems and may become destructive out of boredom and frustration.

You have three choices when it comes to deciding where to buy your puppy and they each have their pros and cons. You can either go to a private breeder, a pet store, or a local shelter such as the SPCA or your local pound. If you intend to get a grown dog, the want ads in the newspaper are a good source, or again, the local pound or shelter.

A private breeder will probably be selling pedigreed puppies, so you can expect to pay a premium price. Some breeders will knock off as much as one hundred dollars if you buy a female and agree not to breed her. Of course a private breeder will be able to show you the puppy's family tree and inform you of any possible genetic problems. Some breeds are prone to certain conditions, especially if they are purebred. For example, German Shepherds may carry a gene which can trigger hip dysplasia and Dalmatians have a higher than usual chance of deafness. But if you plan to breed your puppy later on, a private breeder is your best bet.

There are lots of puppies at your local animal shelter who would love to join your family.

Your second choice is a pet store. You will pay less than you will at a breeder but you will have more extensive research to do. Some pet stores do extensive business with "puppy mills" which are notorious for breeding as many puppies as they are able to at the least expense. This is the opposite of the way a reputable private breeder conducts business. Although a puppy mill may produce pedigreed pups, they will not necessarily be healthy in the long run, a sad situation after you and your family have bonded with the animal. On the other hand, if the pet store's breeder checks out ok, you can usually negotiate a good price on a collar, leash, etc.

The third choice is a shelter, which many would say is the best option. Shelters have a mixed bag of breeds of all ages. The dogs are abandoned, strays, or left by people who cannot longer care for their old friend or found themselves with a new litter of unexpected pups. The price will be minimal, usually enough to cover the cost of spaying or neutering, and vaccinations. The biggest upside is that by adopting one of these animals, you may be saving him from being put down and you are certainly reducing the burden on the shelter.

Read about Jill Rose's guide, Painless & Positive Puppy Training, here!

© Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved.