Who doesn't love those puppy faces and chubby paws running around your houses? But before rushing to get a puppy, there are many things that we need to take into consideration. When considering add a member into the household, many people fail to understand that dogs, like human, requires the same amount of respect and care. First thing that a future dog owner needs to recognize is the unique value in dogs. Certainly, they are not human, but we should take into consideration their needs and natural instincts before take them home.
Before contacting any shelters or breeders, why don't you just take a moment and think everything through. Do you really want a dog or you just saw some random cute puppy pictures online and decide it without thinking too much? Do you have enough time to take care of the dog or it will end up being home alone all day? Can you commit to this more than ten-years relationship or you might abandon it one day? Are you prepared to spend what it takes to raise a puppy or you just plan to feed it table scraps? Is everyone in your home agree on having a dog or you haven't even talk to them yet?...etc. If the answers are positive, then we may proceed to the most serious question: Which breed? If you don't have the energy and time to take care of a puppy, it's best to get an adult dog that is already trained. However, if you want to bond with the dog since day one and watch it grow up, you could get a puppy.
There are several guidelines that could help you to choose a puppy that would best fit you.
What's your lifestyle?
The first thing you may consider is your lifestyle. How much time can you spend with the dog everyday? For the first 1-2 months, the puppy requires 100% attention since it just leave its mother and litter mates and haven't adapt to the new environment yet. It's important to train a puppy from the moment it enters your house. Your schedule will decide your dog's daily routine. Are you flexible enough to take the dog on a walk at least three times a day? Dogs are social animals that require a lot of interaction with both human and its kind. Do you have time at least once a week to take your dog to the dog park? If you are not sure about the answers, forget about getting a large breed like husky or even small ones like Jack Russell Terrier and Miniature Pinscher. Those breed will destroy your house if they don't get enough exercise everyday. In this case, you may consider a "lap dog". Some breed, for example Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maltese and Shih Tzu would be a better choice for someone who does not have a very active lifestyle. All dogs need exercises but these breeds have typically lower energy level. On the other hand, If you consider yourself a sports enthusiastic, a high energy dog may be a good buddy to go hiking with you on the weekend. Dogs like Australian Shepherd, Labrador and Dalmation would be a good choice.
Where do you live?
The size of your home and the surrounding environment are also important when deciding on the size of your dog. Is there a dog park near your house or at least some grass that could let your pet do its business? Is your neighborhood safe to walk your dog? Do you have a yard if you want to get a high activity level dog? Is there any veterinary near your house? Many people fail to think about these questions before getting a dog. Dogs won't chew up your sofa for no reason. Mostly it's because of frustration and lack of exercise. Remember, a tired dog is a happy dog. According to dog psychologist many canine behavior problem can be traced to pent-up energy. When a dog is frustrated and bored, it may lead to excessive barking, chewing and even aggression. So, be sure to fully examine your environment before decide what kind of dog you want.
Shelter or breeder? (No Pet shop!)
Many people misunderstand shelter dogs. Dogs end up in a shelter do not means that they have behavior issues. It's usually because of the unresponsible owners. You can still find the sweetest dog in the shelter. The problem is the chances are low if you want a puppy or a purebreed dog. No breed is better than other. If you can train the dog properly, every breed can be your best friend. If you decide on getting puppy from a breeder, you'd better do enough homework before make the deposit. The best way to examine whether a breeder is responsible or not is to pay them a visit. I know it may sound ridiculous to drive 10 hours just to check out a farm, but if you want the best for both you and the puppy, it is necessary. If you are lucky enough to find a responsible breeder, the chances are the puppies would be healthy as well. Before contacting the breeder, you can always go on the AKC(American Kennel Club) website to check whether if the breeder is registered or not. The AKC would provide contacting information on their breeders and they are usually reliable.
What's your budget?
Last but not least, if you decide to get your puppy from a breeder, what's your budget? Some breed can be really expansive compare to others. According to research, the most expensive breed is English bulldog, which can reach up to $3,000. Not to mention that English Bulldog are prone to many health issues. So if you really love this chubby dog, be prepared to those vet bills! Another expensive breed is also from the bulldog family - the French bulldog, which is also known as the Frenchie. Its cute short face and stubborn personality attracts makes it one of the most popular dog in the world now. The average price for a French bulldog puppy can be around 2,000 and it's also prone to several health issues. If you want a happy-go-lucky pup but does not want to pay a lot, there are also many great choices.
According to AKC, the top ten most popular breed in America in 2014 are:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd
3. Golden Retrievers
4. Bulldog
5. Beagle
6. Yorkshire Terriers
7. Poodle
8. Boxer
9. French bulldog
10. Rottweilers.
However, no matter what dog you choose, it will devots its whole life to you. Be sure to treat them well!
What's your lifestyle?
The first thing you may consider is your lifestyle. How much time can you spend with the dog everyday? For the first 1-2 months, the puppy requires 100% attention since it just leave its mother and litter mates and haven't adapt to the new environment yet. It's important to train a puppy from the moment it enters your house. Your schedule will decide your dog's daily routine. Are you flexible enough to take the dog on a walk at least three times a day? Dogs are social animals that require a lot of interaction with both human and its kind. Do you have time at least once a week to take your dog to the dog park? If you are not sure about the answers, forget about getting a large breed like husky or even small ones like Jack Russell Terrier and Miniature Pinscher. Those breed will destroy your house if they don't get enough exercise everyday. In this case, you may consider a "lap dog". Some breed, for example Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maltese and Shih Tzu would be a better choice for someone who does not have a very active lifestyle. All dogs need exercises but these breeds have typically lower energy level. On the other hand, If you consider yourself a sports enthusiastic, a high energy dog may be a good buddy to go hiking with you on the weekend. Dogs like Australian Shepherd, Labrador and Dalmation would be a good choice.
Where do you live?
The size of your home and the surrounding environment are also important when deciding on the size of your dog. Is there a dog park near your house or at least some grass that could let your pet do its business? Is your neighborhood safe to walk your dog? Do you have a yard if you want to get a high activity level dog? Is there any veterinary near your house? Many people fail to think about these questions before getting a dog. Dogs won't chew up your sofa for no reason. Mostly it's because of frustration and lack of exercise. Remember, a tired dog is a happy dog. According to dog psychologist many canine behavior problem can be traced to pent-up energy. When a dog is frustrated and bored, it may lead to excessive barking, chewing and even aggression. So, be sure to fully examine your environment before decide what kind of dog you want.
Shelter or breeder? (No Pet shop!)
Many people misunderstand shelter dogs. Dogs end up in a shelter do not means that they have behavior issues. It's usually because of the unresponsible owners. You can still find the sweetest dog in the shelter. The problem is the chances are low if you want a puppy or a purebreed dog. No breed is better than other. If you can train the dog properly, every breed can be your best friend. If you decide on getting puppy from a breeder, you'd better do enough homework before make the deposit. The best way to examine whether a breeder is responsible or not is to pay them a visit. I know it may sound ridiculous to drive 10 hours just to check out a farm, but if you want the best for both you and the puppy, it is necessary. If you are lucky enough to find a responsible breeder, the chances are the puppies would be healthy as well. Before contacting the breeder, you can always go on the AKC(American Kennel Club) website to check whether if the breeder is registered or not. The AKC would provide contacting information on their breeders and they are usually reliable.
What's your budget?
Last but not least, if you decide to get your puppy from a breeder, what's your budget? Some breed can be really expansive compare to others. According to research, the most expensive breed is English bulldog, which can reach up to $3,000. Not to mention that English Bulldog are prone to many health issues. So if you really love this chubby dog, be prepared to those vet bills! Another expensive breed is also from the bulldog family - the French bulldog, which is also known as the Frenchie. Its cute short face and stubborn personality attracts makes it one of the most popular dog in the world now. The average price for a French bulldog puppy can be around 2,000 and it's also prone to several health issues. If you want a happy-go-lucky pup but does not want to pay a lot, there are also many great choices.
According to AKC, the top ten most popular breed in America in 2014 are:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd
3. Golden Retrievers
4. Bulldog
5. Beagle
6. Yorkshire Terriers
7. Poodle
8. Boxer
9. French bulldog
10. Rottweilers.
However, no matter what dog you choose, it will devots its whole life to you. Be sure to treat them well!
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