Dog Breed Choosing
The issue of dog breed choosing is high on my list of pet education
for the public. Daily there are hundreds of dogs worldwide being ‘
surrendered’ to pounds and animal shelters. A lot of them are dubbed
‘problem dogs’. Many of these dog breeds are ones which the owners
had no previous experience with and which were chosen purely on
looks alone. Choosing a dog breed on impulse inevitably leads to the ‘
choose in haste, repent in leisure’ scenario. Often the problem is not
in the dog breed itself, but the fact that the owners didn’t know what
they were getting themselves into in the first place. So please,
before you set your heart on a particular dog breed, research the
breed – either on the net or read the appropriate books, a dog is for
life, not just for Christmas.
As an introduction to dogs in general, most dog breeds nowadays have been bred for a task, ie they have been specifically chosen for certain jobs they needed to perform in the days of old. For example, greyhounds are bred for speed and to chase down animals so all the hounds categorised as ‘sight hounds’ will automatically be drawn to chase things down. That’s well and good in a hunting situation but bring it into the urban environment and you have a dog that chases cars, bikes, cats. If you know this and still decide on getting a sighthound, then you would be prepared to do things like lure chasing or ball chasing to satisfy their innate ability. Choosing a dog breed like a Labrador because you love how they are the guide dogs for the blind and would therefore make a suitable ‘family dog’ may seem like a great idea – that is until you realise that these dogs are bred for their intelligence and unless you have an outlet for that, they get bored easily and start ‘finding things to do’ – equating to holes in the backyard, chewing up all your plants, the shoes, the lounge…Just as you wouldn’t just take looks into account when choosing your life partner, you should take choosing a dog breed just as seriously and factor in your personality and the particular dog breed’s. Please, make an informed decision when choosing your dog breed, knowing what you are in for is half the battle won and the key to an enjoyable relationship with your dog.
Last but not least, if your child is pestering you to get that 'dog' that his best friend has got, I would recommend that you consider getting him/her a virtual pet first. Why? Because they are cheaper, they don't create a mess, and they do provide your child with a realization that having a pet is not 'all fun', it requires responsible care and attention, it means being inconvenienced, it is a commitment.Whilst it is a far cry from the real thing (can't cuddle a Tamagotchi) but it does give them an idea as to what is involved and it will give you a fair idea as to their level of interest and how serious they are about it ie if the virtual pet dies on them, it gives you a fair idea that their interest in a real dog will wane pretty quickly. Plus, it will also give you the added clout to say, 'Look you can't even look after a Tamagotchi, you won't be able to look after a real dog.'
Things to consider when choosing a dog breed
- Lifestyle
Are you an active person who loves walks? Then you can opt to choose dog breeds that are more active. Dalmatians, German Shepherds come to mind. Are you a busy individual that can’t devote much time to grooming or day to day care of the dog – then choose a short haired dog breed. Do you have children? Then a family safe breed like the golden retriever should go down on your shortlist of dog breeds
- Budget
How much are you able to spend on your dog? Long haired dogs require more shampoo, grooming equipment. Pure bred dog breeds have certain predispositions to certain diseases eg West Highland White terriers are predisposed to skin problems so you may find that you may need to make more frequent veterinary visits. Some dogs are more destructive to property than others and whilst all puppies chew things, there is a big difference between replacing a shoe eaten by your Chihuahua and an entire garden irrigation system dug up and chewed to pieces by your Labrador!
- What about mixed breed dogs
The advantage of getting a pure bred dog is that you have a general guide as to the type of dog you are going to get – down to its temperament. A mix breed dog is a combination of its parents and their temperament and looks will vary. Hybrid vigor is the term we vets use to refer to the fact that having a more varied genetic makeup means mix breed dogs tend to be healthier on the whole than their pure breed cousins.
- Recommended reads
Paws to consider is a top rate book for novices and seasoned dog owners alike – Brian and Sarah not only offer sound advice about the temperaments of different dog breeds, they also tell you the genetic health problems for different dog breeds. Essential background information in choosing a dog breed - Click here to buy from Amazon. The other book that's great to look through is The New Encyclopedia of the Dog is a wealth of dog breed information with over 420 dog breeds represented and over 600 pictures. It is easy to read and offers a history next to each dog breed, tells you the personality of the dog, what its needs are and what diseases or disorders that run in each breed. Immensely helpful when choosing a dog breed to suit you and your family - Click here to buy from Amazon
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Vet question of the day
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Beta fish with bulge on chest
My betta fish has developed what appears to be a huge bulge on his chest. It starts right after his little front fins and continues to his tail. Almost as if he's really fat. (I don't overfeed him though) His skin is so stretched the bulge is white. The poor guy is so top heavy and I see him laying on the bottom with his head down and his tail facing up. Also, he has lost some of his color on the rest of his body (it's faded) and has little white spots on him. I tried Ick treatment for the spots at the recommendation of the pet store but it doesn't seem to have helped and the bulge is getting bigger. I'm afraid to change his water because I don't want to make anything worse. I'm very afraid he's going to die. He still seems to be eating and swims around actively, but I know something is seriously wrong. Thank you.
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