| Choosing The Right Companion For You And Your Family |
How old should my children be to enjoy a dog? It depends on the dog and the personality of your child. All dogs need training and if your child can not be part of it, the dog/puppy may start to dominate your child. You should not get a dog for your child unless you are willing to be part of the dogs live. What breed is best for my family? This depends on your lifestyle. If you have small children you may want a more mellow. If your family goes hiking a lot, a lab might be a good choice. Some breeds are barkers, yet others seem mute. Small gentle dogs may be better for senior citizen. What is a reputable breeder? There is no easy answer to this question. However here are some guidelines...A responsible breeder breeds for a good temperament, health and function. Visit Dog Shows or a Breed Club and talk to people about the breed you are interested in. Go to more then one breeder and look at their facility and all the animals.Make sure all health checks are done on the parents and puppies and you can look at an original certificate. Don't let the breeder pressure you to purchase a puppy. Outdoors or indoors? Dogs are social creatures. They will not be happy left out in the back yard alone. You must be committed to spending several hours a day with it. How much grooming do I have to do? Got fur? Some dogs need regular grooming, others only need an occasional brushing. Why should I spay or neuter my dog? Spaying or neutering can prevent behavioral and health issues. There are many puppies at the shelter because of unwanted pregnancies. If you have a "papered" dog don't assume you need to breed it. Neutering a male dog does not lower your social status. It makes you a responsibel dog owner. How much time should I spent training my new family member? You will recieve back from your dog what you put into him. The more time you spent training your dog the more you can get a dog you deserve. What are the expenses of owning a dog? Purchase of the puppy will be your first expense. You can get a Free dog or pay many thousand of dollars regardless if the dog is purebred or a mixed breed. Depending on the Veterinarian you choose, the first year vaccintions, worming and parasite prevention can cost you as much as........$250 Spaying and neutering.....$75-$250 Leash, Collar, Name Tag, Toys, Crate, Bedding........$200 Puppy Class......$80 and up Obedience Class....$80 and up Continuous Education...$80 and up Good Quality Food... priceless If I go on Vacation, what do I do with my dog? There are many boarding facilities in the area. Some are better then others. You also have the option of using a pet sitter/house sitter that comes to your home. You are responsible to make sure your pet is save in any enviroment you put it in. What do I do with my dog if I have to move? A dog is for life. Don't let him become a casualty. If you are moving out of state take him with. Otherstates allow dogs, too. Moving oversees is not an excuse to leave your dog behind. |
| Congratulations, you have decided that you want to add a new family member to your home. Here some Frequently Asked Questions that you can use as a guideline before getting you new dog or puppy. |
| Slick's Crown Jewel aka Ryddick, born 6-26-06 |