Puppies. Amy Fernandez
Unless you have the time to raise a puppy, you will not be able to manage the quirks or enjoy the charms.
This French bulldog looks tuckered out after a game of Frisbee. Playing with your puppy is critical to his development.
Does everyone in your household want a puppy? It is unrealistic to assume that only one person will be responsible for a puppy’s care. Everyone in your home will interact with him in some way, and the puppy will seek attention from everyone. Whoever spends the most time at home will be faced with a greater share of daily responsibilities—including dealing with messes and dog damage. This is bound to create resentment unless everyone wants a puppy.
Can you accommodate a puppy? Space requirements vary by breed and by temperament. Some big dogs are surprisingly sedate, and some very small ones are energetic. A large, fenced yard, once considered essential for a puppy, is helpful but not mandatory. Active dogs can live happily in small apartments—if you are prepared to devote the necessary time and effort to meeting their daily exercise requirements (see chapter 5).
Along with exercise needs, puppies come with lots of accessories—beds, crates, bins of dog food, pens, toys—all over the house. Do you have room for all this stuff in the middle of your kitchen, bedroom, or living room? Social interaction is critical to a puppy’s development. He cannot be relegated to some inconspicuous part of the house. Similarly, is your car large enough to safely transport your dog? If you don’t have a car, how will you get your puppy to the veterinary clinic and other necessary places?
Are you prepared for the financial outlay? A puppy can be more expensive than you bargained for. Dog food, for instance, will cost you $20 to $30 for a large bag; for the biggest breeds, you’ll be buying at least one bag per month. Other essentials, such as beds and crates, collars and leads, treats and toys, and grooming supplies, might add $200 to $300 annually. This still sounds manageable. Add in basic veterinary care: inoculations ($100 per year), heartworm test and preventive care ($50 to $100 per year), microchip ($50 to $75), spay or neuter ($100 to $400), and dental care ($100 to $300). Puppies may also need one or more professional services on a regular basis. Consider puppy training classes ($100 to $200), doggy day care or a dog sitter ($10 to $20 per day), a professional dog walker ($10 per day), and professional grooming ($20 to $50 per visit). Other expenses can include annual dog licensing, pet health insurance, and increased premiums for homeowners insurance or pet-related security deposits on rental units.
These figures are only general guidelines. They should, however, give you a realistic idea of the financial investment you will be making. The costs certainly are not meant to dissuade you from getting a puppy, only to prepare you.
A veterinarian examines three Pomeranian puppies. Good veterinary care is a crucial ongoing expense, so be prepared for it.
Finding the Puppy of Your Dreams
Once you have decided that a puppy is the pet for you, the first step in choosing a puppy is to determine the breed (or mixed breed) that you want. Research the breeds you are interested in to learn about their general temperaments and care requirements, which will help identify a breed that fits in with your lifestyle. Here are some basic guidelines and information to get you started in your research.
Which “Model” Is for You?
Dogs come in three basic “models”: purebred, crossbred, and random bred. All three make wonderful pets. But none of them comes with a built-in guarantee of health, quality, or completely predictable behavior. Be wary of anyone, be it breeder or rescue group, claiming otherwise. Dogs are also classified in groups by type—such as working, hound, and sport—and by breed. The more you know about the characteristics of dogs in these classifications, the wiser you’ll be in choosing your companion pup.
PUREBRED
With purebreds, both parents are documented (registered) as belonging to the same breed. Offspring are recognized as members of the same breed and are eligible for certification with the same registry. A registry is an internationally recognized organization that maintains parentage and ownership records of purebred dogs. If a dog is registered by one of these organizations, such as American Kennel Club (AKC) or the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), other official registries for that same breed automatically accept his pedigree. Purebred puppies are the product of several generations of dogs with similar mental and physical traits, such as size, personality, and health. Although these traits will still vary, the extent of variation is much more predictable.
CROSSBRED
Crossbred means both parents are certified purebreds but of different breeds. Sometimes, crossbred puppies represent the best breed qualities of both parents, but this is not always true. Crossbreeding increases unpredictability of mental and physical traits.
RANDOM BRED
Random bred puppies are also known as mixed breeds or mongrels (or mutts). Their ancestry can be estimated but not verified. They are often presented to a prospective buyer as a mixture of well-known breeds, such as “shepherd mix” or “poodle mix.” Some traits, such as size and temperament, are difficult to predict in young puppies, as random bred puppies may change drastically as they mature. Traits such as adult size, coat type, and temperament become easier to predict in older puppies. Random breds can be described as “surprise packages”; only time will reveal exactly what you have. That has its own charms.
Breed Profiles
The AKC has grouped all recognized breeds into seven categories based roughly on function and ancestry. (Miscellaneous is a transitional, not an official, group. Dogs in this group are not entitled to full registration privileges.) Because they are related, or built to do similar work, the breeds in each category share many traits of form and function.
The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a herding dog developed in Wales to drive geese and herd cattle.
HERDING BREEDS
Some herding dogs are bred specifically to round up and manage herds of livestock; behaviors such as stalking or heel nipping are part of the package. A headstrong nature comes with boundless energy and stamina, requiring an intensive commitment from an owner. Other herding breeds are selectively bred to guard and defend these herds. Herding breeds can be highly territorial, aggressive, and intolerant of strangers. They make ideal watchdogs, but their protective behaviors may be unpredictable and uncontrollable without consistent training and good socialization. They are very loyal and naturally affectionate and can be very demonstrative about this with their owners.
Herding Trials
IF YOUR PUPPY DISPLAYS A LOT OF NATURAL HERDING instinct, you might consider channeling this talent into competitive herding events. A number of U.S. organizations sponsor herding classes, trials, and tests and offer titles and certificates of achievement. At these events, the “herd” may be composed of sheep, cattle, llamas, or ducks. Dogs are judged on their ability to take direction as well as on their natural aptitude. Most events are open to all herding breeds and some working breeds.
HOUNDS
Hounds are some of the world’s most ancient breeds and have plenty of wonderful qualities that make them good pets. They are elegant, fastidious, and naturally healthy. Many of these breeds are also low maintenance. They have traditionally been bred as hunting dogs