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(It’s Me Or the Dog © HarperCollins/ © Mark Read)
If you want a puppy, impulse buying is your worst enemy: every puppy is small, pretty and vulnerable, and it is so easy to fall for a little bundle of mischief without any consideration for the future – the puppy’s future or your own. Buying a puppy or an adult dog is one of the most important purchases of a lifetime. You will be assuming control of another creature’s life and he will be dependent on you for upwards of twelve years, so you are, in effect, buying a new member of the family.
Because of the importance of the decision, it is a good idea to consult with all the members of your family from the youngest to the eldest, for each one will bear some responsibility in different areas of the dog’s life. Children should be closely involved as the lessons they can learn from caring for a dog will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. Owning a dog now is likely to help them to be more caring to both animals and humans later on in their adult life.
Which Breed?
There is a breed of dog that is suitable for every family. The UK Kennel Club registers 173 breeds of dog and obviously it will take a little research in order to discover which one is ideal for you but all the effort is well worthwhile. Probably the first consideration is where you live and the size and style of the accommodation. All dogs love freedom and are suitable for country living, with the exception of only some very small heavy-coated breeds, but not all dogs are suitable for city or town life. It would not be right to condemn a large dog such as a St Bernard or any of the larger hound breeds to life in a small flat in a tower block, but dogs, being what they are, would adapt to the life. However, the fact remains that it would not be fair and would almost certainly lead to problems, particularly concerning behaviour and temperament.
(It’s Me Or the Dog © HarperCollins/ © Mark Read)
If you live in an estate where the houses are quite close together, the neighbours must be respected. They have the legal right to peace and quiet and thus a breed that is inclined to yap or bark for long periods is not suitable; neither would you want a breed that has the reputation for being aggressive to other dogs and too defensive of you and your family. Remember that unfortunately not everyone likes dogs, and therefore you would not want to willingly introduce an element into your life which will bring aggravation.
Next, consider your own attitudes; if you are super tidy, a dog with a thick double coat that tends to moult heavily would be a source of irritation. He would require daily grooming but would you have the time to do this? There are other considerations, such as is the house left empty for long periods? Is there a member of the family willing and able to walk the dog at least twice a day? Who will be responsible for feeding him and making sure that fresh water is always available? (see Chapter 2: Dog Breed Guide.)
(It’s Me Or the Dog © HarperCollins/ © Mark Read)
| The Right Breed For You | ||
| Breed | Temperament | Exercise |
| Labrador Retriever | Affable, tolerant and easy-going with dogs and humans. Easily trained and learns quickly. Enjoys the company of children. A superb family and working dog. | An active dog. Needs lots of free running, walks, play and retrieving games. |
| Golden Retriever | Gentle, biddable and highly intelligent. A good working dog as well as an excellent family pet. Good with children and a great companion and Gundog. | Needs frequent exercise and mental stimulation. Enjoys flyball and obedience. |
| Rottweiler | Intensely protective and highly intelligent, this is a good guarding breed. Needs good socialization and kind but firm training. Not suitable to be left with young children. | Needs lots of walking (at least, twice a day), free running and games for stimulation. |
| German Shepherd Dog | Highly intelligent and a wonderful guarding and working dog, the German Shepherd makes a good family pet if it is trained and well socialized. Needs kind but firm handling. | Needs and enjoys as much exercise as it can get. Excels at obedience and agility training. |
| Parson Jack Russell Terrier | Intelligent, alert and always busy, this dog loves to hunt. An easily trained fun dog that loves to live within its family pack and is good with children. Affectionate and a watchful guard dog. | Needs lots of exercise with walks, free running and playing stimulating, imaginative games. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
A gentle, docile and intelligent little dog. Confident and fun-loving with a friendly nature, it makes a good
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