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You’ve decided you are ready for the responsibility of
having a pet, and think a dog would be a great addition to your family. But
where do you go from there? If you have never owned a dog before, the choice
can be overwhelming. There are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing
the right dog for you. These pointers can help prevent a lot of frustration and
unhappiness in the long run.
If you have never owned a dog before, the thought of
choosing the right dog for you can be pretty daunting. Understanding dogs is
actually fairly simple if you keep a few things in mind.
First, where did dogs come from? Scientists now believe that
all dogs evolved from the Grey Wolf. Early men relied on hunting to survive. At
some point, it is thought that men came upon a young grey wolf (a cub) that was
abandoned or orphaned by its mother and pack (a wolf’s ‘extended’ family,
consisting of it’s father and aunts and uncles). By
raising this cub, man created a semi-tame animal that could help hunt for meat.
As time went on, different groups of men found and raised different Grey
Wolves, and began to breed them. If a wolf was thought to be too aggressive or
had other undesirable traits, they would not breed the wolf. In this manner,
they began to create what is now known as dogs. All dogs are thus related to
each other. Different types of dogs are called ‘breeds’. Breeds
vary from the smaller dogs such as a Chihuahua
to larger dogs like the German Shepherd. Each breed has different traits, and
it is important to understand this when choosing the right dog for you.
The first thing to determine is what size dog you want. This
is a fairly easy step in finding the right dog. If you live in an apartment,
you will need to focus on finding a smaller dog such as a Cairn Terrier or a
dog that doesn’t need a lot of exercise and activity such as a Great Dane
(which happens to be a large dog). If you live in the country with lots of room
to roam safely, you might want to consider getting a larger dog. In urban
areas, medium to large dogs do well, too. For some dogs, such as the Siberian
Husky, it is vital that you have a good-sized yard with a fence.
Once you have decided what size dog you would like to get,
then you should start considering what breed of dog you’d like. Each breed has
dominant traits that will make them more or less desirable depending on your
needs. For example, do you want a dog that is low maintenance? If so, consider
breeds that do not need a lot of grooming and exercise such as Beagles.
You might also want to consider dogs that don’t need a lot of attention like
the Basset Hound, which tends to be a bit of a
couch potato. If you don’t mind putting
in a half hour a day to groom and care for you dog, consider higher maintenance
dogs such as a Pomeranian. And last, if you love to run or just get out and go
for long walks, consider a dog with the stamina and desire to keep up with you,
such as an Alaskan Malamute. Another thing to consider is whether or not you
have allergies to dander. If so, you’ll want to consider a breed that is known
for having less dander. Terriers tend to be the best dogs for people with
allergies because they have minimal if any dander and do not shed.
You might also want to consider whether or not you want a puppy
or an adult dog. Puppies are fun, cute and wiggly – they are a true joy to have
around. However, plan on putting in as many hours of care into a puppy as you
would into a baby. Puppies need to be trained, need constant interaction, and
also need frequent check-ups and vaccinations and will need to be spayed or
neutered. When you bring an adult dog into your home, the dog is typical
already trained, and will only need an annual check-up and vaccination
schedule.
And last, you’ll need to think about whether you want to
adopt a dog from a shelter or purchase a purebred dog from a breeder. Shelter
dogs are truly special dogs – they typically have had some hard times, and when
adopted, are some of the most loving dogs around. Often the shelter will be able
to tell you what breeds they think the dog is, if it isn’t a purebred and is a
mixed breed instead, which will give you some idea of what traits to expect.
Purebred dogs are also wonderful dogs, and can be a great choice, too.
No matter what type of dog you get, plan on being committed
to caring for it for the rest of the dog’s life. The most important thing you
can do for you dog is to love it, and understand your responsibilities for it.
Whatever efforts you put into your dog will definitely be rewarded over and
over again!