-
Decide What Breed Best Fits Your Personality
You can't know the right dog for you until you know yourself. For example, a jock would prefer an active dog. A lazy person would prefer a dog that doesn't require much exercise. A touchy feely person would prefer a friendly dog. A tightly wound person would probably prefer a dog that doesn't bark or shed much. Think of picking a pup like choosing a mate, as you have to find one that complements your personality.
Here are some very general guidelines to get you thinking in the right direction.
Intelligent dogs:
Poodle
German Shepherd
Australian Sheepdog
Belgian Sheepdog
Keeshond
Dogs that don't require much exercise:
Dachshund
Brussels Griffon
French Bulldog
Manchester Terrier
Toy breeds (such as the Chihuahua or Pekingese)
Good with kids:
Pug
English Cocker Spaniel
Beagle
Basset Hound
Brittany Spaniel
Old English Sheepdog
Good city dogs:
Pug
Basenji
Boston Terrier
Bulldog
Lhasa Apso
Welsh Corgi
Scottish Terrier
Quiet dogs:
Basenji
Borzoi
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Whippet
Friendly dogs:
Brittany Spaniel
Bichon Frise
Old English Sheepdog
Bearded Collie
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
There are dozens of breeds and dozens of traits to sort them by.
Again, these guidelines are extremely rough. A good place to start your research is by checking out the American Kennel
Club's complete list of breeds. Then try going to a dog show or talking to a vet. However, the best way to research is to talk to friends who have dogs. They'll give you more information than you care to know.
In case you didn't realize it, all of the breeds listed above are purebreds. This means they are the product of parents of the same breed. To get a true purebred, worthy of being in a dog show, you often have to pay thousands of dollars. Most people get mixes of some sort (like the cockapoo, a combination of a cocker spaniel and a poodle), because rumor has it that purebred dogs can have personality problems because the gene pool is so small. As a result, many people choose to go with a mutt, which is a mish-mash of different breeds. Mutts can combine the best of two or more breeds in a one-of-a-kind dog. Having a mutt is like the canine equivalent of owning an original work of art.
Is this all sounding like too much work? Then go back and reread Step 1, because the work is just beginning. A dog is a living thing, but millions of dogs die every year because their masters didn't realize how much work caring for a dog really is.
-
Decide What Breed Best Fits Your Living Arrangements
Evaluate your living space. How much space do you have for a dog? Do you have a fenced yard? What kind of life do you lead? Do you want a big dog, a little dog or something in between? An Irish Wolfhound may match your eyes perfectly, but it's not going to fit into a studio apartment. Conversely, a Chihuahua is never going to be able to navigate a 40-acre spread. It seems obvious, but no matter how well your personality fits a particular breed, you have to make sure your living arrangements match it too. It would be cruel to keep a big dog locked up all day in a tiny apartment.
Evaluate your schedule. How much are you home? How many times per day can you walk a dog? If you just thought "per day?", go back to Step 1 and reread it. Some dogs are more independent than others, so if you're not around a lot, it won't do you much good to get a clingy dog. Remember that dogs get lonely, and if you're gone for days on end (even if the neighbor pops in just to feed it), the dog will still get depressed.
Anticipate future lifestyle changes. Do you have kids? Will you ever have kids? Get a kid-friendly dog in the first place, just in case.
Evaluate your activity level. Picture your idea of a fun time, and be sure the right kind of dog fits within it. If you love to go hiking, a Yorkie will not be able to keep up. If you like sitting and knitting, a Border Collie will make your life a living hell.
Once again, do your homework. Talk to friends, vets, dog breeders and trainers to find out which breed is best for you.
-
Make Sure You Can Afford It
Whoever said that two can live as cheaply as one never had a dog. A dog isn't going to break you financially, but it is an investment. Over the life of the pet, you can expect to shell out as much money as you would on a decent used car.
The actual dog isn't expensive--you can get one for free at your local animal shelter. Rather, most of the expense will be buying dog food. Ask your vet to recommend a brand.
Proper veterinary care is non-negotiable. Things like checkups, shots, neutering or spaying, flea and tick control, and dental care will keep your dog in good running condition. Once a year is all it takes, assuming your puppy isn't playing in the street. But it's still an expense, and you should always have a little backup cash handy in case of an emergency.
Other doggie accoutrements that you'll need to purchase include (for starters):
Big, sturdy, stable, unbreakable food dish and water dish
Comfortable, strong collar or harness and matching leash
Dog bed
Grooming supplies
Chew toys
Current ID tag with address and phone number (very important)
Solid, roomy crate for transport (many dogs also use them as a safe sleeping place in the house)
Warm, dry, wind-and-waterproof doghouse (but hopefully, your pup will be an indoor dog)
Knitted sweaters are optional in cooler climates.
-
Pick a Place to Pick the Pup
Once you've determined the right breed for your lifestyle, one possibility is to go through a breeder. You can find breeders by looking in the classified ads in your newspaper--the prices usually range from $100 to $3,000, depending on the breed and the quality of the puppies. Alternately, you can call the American Kennel Club at (900) 407-PUPS. The breeder reference person will put you in touch with reputable breeders in your area. Then call several breeders and talk with them. They're a valuable source of information about the breed you've chosen.
Breeders are a good route because you'll get someone who knows all about your breed of dog, so if you have any questions, you'll have a new friend to ask. Also, breeders generally take very good care of their dogs. So good, in fact, that they'll usually interview the prospective buyer to make sure the dog is going to a loving home. The drawback about using a breeder is the price. You can get a puppy for free at a shelter. But if you're looking for a pretty puppy that you might eventually want to breed or take to dog shows, using a breeder is the way to go.
Also known as "the pound," animal shelters are connected with purebred rescue programs, giving you that purebred chic look combined with the warm satisfaction of rescuing a homeless dog. The benefits of a shelter are that it's free and you're saving a dog's life. The main drawback is that the dog could have some kind of personality or health problem (based on how it was treated before you got to the pound). That's a lot to deal with.
As long as you're at the shelter, consider strolling past the puppies and adopting an adult dog. Friendly, well-trained adult dogs will often wind up in the shelter through no fault of their own. Many adult dogs come with a written history; some even come with the former owner's contact number so you can get a character reference. Adopt an adult dog, and you can save yourself the heartbreak of housebreaking . . . and very probably save the dog's life.
Here's a way not to get a dog: When you see those little puppies in mall pet stores, run away. Many pet stores sell dogs from puppy mills. If you thought that the plight of veal calves was bad . . . you're right, it is. But puppy mills are right up there, too, when it comes to wholesale animal cruelty. They basically churn out puppies for pet stores, kill the ones that don't look like they'd sell well, and keep the live ones in awful living conditions. And pet-store puppies that don't get bought are sent to the pound.
Don't be fooled by the breeding papers they'll wave in your face. You're not rescuing the dog; you're perpetuating the puppy-mill industry. To find out more information about stopping puppy mills, visit the Help Puppies website. (See Resources.)
-
Prepare Yourself for Training
You should also know what you're in for once you get the dog you want. It is important to train and "fix" your pup, and it's better to get this information sooner than later.
To create a wonderful companion and a happy, healthy dog, you have to put some time into obedience training. Consistent daily obedience training will make for a mutt you can be proud of. At the very least, you'll want to housebreak your pooch. Teaching commands like "sit" and "stay" will make your life a lot easier. And if you go on to advanced obedience training, you too can have one of those superstar dogs that catches Frisbees and runs obstacle courses.
The point: Obedience training is how you get the best from your dog. It's also how you give the best to your dog; a well-trained dog is a happy dog. They're secure. They know that you're the boss and that you've got a plan. So keep training in mind when you get a pup.
And unless you're prepared to take care of 13 more puppies, you really should spay (for girl dogs) or neuter (for boy dogs) your dog immediately. Millions of dogs die each year in shelters and on the streets, and much of it could be prevented if people had their pets fixed. The world does not need more puppies. It needs people to take care of the ones that have already been born.
Next to getting married, having kids or buying a house, caring for a dog is the biggest commitment you'll ever make. Dogs feel pain, fear, loneliness, joy, love and loyalty. Dogs also occasionally feel the need to shred your loafers. It's all part of the dog-owning experience. But if you take care of your dog properly and treat it with consistent love and affection, you'll be richly rewarded for your efforts.
