Getting a pet for your family is a fun time filled with anticipation for the new member of the household that will be living with you for the next ten years or more. There are more than one or two things to take into consideration and questions to mull over when ready for a new furry friend. Should you adopt or look into a purebred? Should you go a more generic or common breed? What breed would be the best for your home, and how do you know if you have the right one? There is no sense in worrying if you do a little investigating.
The first thing is to make sure that you pick out a breed that will do well in your home. If you live in a small eight hundred square foot apartment and are not available to walk the dog during the day, you may want a small to medium dog. Larger breeds will need lots of space and plenty of exercise. Herding dogs can be especially tricky if you are not an outdoors person. Herding dogs like corgis, border collies, and sheepdogs need lots of mental activities, so make sure your family is outside a lot and has plenty of time to play. Furthermore, consider if there are any allergies in your family. Some breeds do not shed as much such as poodles, miniature schnauzers, and Bichon Frise, but all dogs do have dander.
However you are obtaining the pooch, there is one breed of dog that rarely mixes well with children, and those are Dalmatians, despite how wonderful they seem in the movies. Tiny dogs can be tough to have if you have kids because children may get too rough with the little animal. Chihuahuas and miniature pinschers are very delicate and can be injured if there is any rough-housing. Mixed bred dogs are usually the best option since they do not get genetic diseases as much and are much more resilient than purebreds.
If you are not picky about the breed then almost all people will recommend a local shelter since it is cheaper and they need homes immediately. Also, the workers at the shelter will be able to let you know if a specific dog does not do well with children. If you pick a particular breed, there might be rescue shelters for particular kinds. From there, they can help pinpoint a good match and be in contact with other breeders to assist you in finding your most desired pup.
Of course, there a few things to look and watch out for when getting ready to open your home to a new fluffier member. Do not go to a pet shop, if you can help it, when ready to buy a dog. Pet shops are meant to attract buyers on a whim and not actual serious buyers. Even more so, pet shop dogs almost always come from puppy mills. Dogs that come from puppy mills can be treated horribly and be more susceptible to disease since their living conditions can be wretched.
Be careful when looking for a dog in the classifieds or on Craigslist. As most people are aware, there are more than enough scams on the Internet, and people looking for dogs can be a target. Click here for a trusted website with great dogs. Reliable, good breeders want to meet the families so they know they are going to the right home.
After bringing your new puppy or adopted dog home, allow them time to get accustomed to your home and family. Get your children involved by helping feed, walk and clean their new furry friend. If it is a puppy, there are plenty of websites, training manuals, and other valuable resources to help train your little furry one. Adopted dogs may already have the training, or they may need a refresher course. Whichever way your dog comes into your life, be patient and have everyone in the household team up and get your new friend loving their new home and family.