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Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Dog, AKC

Don't buy that Puppy in the window

Choosing the Right Dog, AKC

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  Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Dog

American Kennel Club (AKC)

Before you get a dog, there are several questions that must first be asked. This is because all dogs have certain needs and requirements that will last for a lifetime. A dog depends on its human owners for care, conditioning and love. This dependency is rewarded many times over with the dog’s unquestioned devotion and heartfelt affection. 

A dog quickly becomes a family member and as such it must be able to fit in with the family’s lifestyle. If it is the wrong breed of dog, brought home for the wrong reason, and/or one that fails to meet your expectations, then instead of the animal becoming a beloved member of the family, it could become a burden and an outcast. With careful consideration about the needs and requirements of different breeds and thought as to how this pertains to your own lifestyle, the end result will be four-legged loving companion that will bring you much joy and happiness for years to come. 

There are 150 different AKC recognized breeds of dogs. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some breeds have long hair, others are short-haired; some need lots of room to run, others just a small yard; some require laps to sit in, others are more independent. Before bringing a dog home to become a part of your family, you should ask yourself the following questions and write down the answers. Then seek a dog that best meets your responses. 

 

When considering a dog.... 

If a puppy.... 

• do you know how big it will grow? 
• do you have enough room, both inside and outside, to meet its exercise needs? 
• do you know how active it will be? 
• will its temperament and personality fit your own? 
• will it constantly need attention? 
• do you have the time to train the puppy? 
• is it easy to housebreak? 
• are you prepared to forego other activities in order to tend to the pup’s needs? 
• can you afford the necessary vaccinations and visits to the veterinarian? 

 

If an adult.... the above, plus....  

• can you provide sufficient daily exercise routines for the dog? 
• do you have time to spend taking care of the dog’s emotional needs? 
• are there special dietary needs? 
• are there any health problems that you should consider and be aware of? 
• do you have a safe place to keep the dog when you are not at home? 
• will its coat require special care and professional grooming? 
  

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Other thoughts that should be considered are... 

Do not bring a dog into your life if you are not prepared to... 

• spend quality time with the dog 
• make personal sacrifices in order to see to the dog’s needs 
  feed, groom and house it properly 
• be forgiving if it goes to the bathroom where it should not 
• deal with dog hair 
• take it to training classes, if necessary 
• treat the dog as a four-legged member of your family 
• accept the responsibilities of dog ownership 
  

Do bring a dog into your life, if you want... 

• a companion who asks no questions, makes no judgments 
• someone who loves you regardless of who you are, what you do or how much money you have in the bank 
• to come home to a presence that immediately fills the room with love and devotion 
• when you walk through the door 
• to live a life that is mindful while being minded, loving while being loved, and 
• caring while being cared for 

In short, dogs are man’s best friends and most faithful companions, but they do bring with them responsibilities and obligations that must be considered by anyone thinking about getting a dog.

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  Don't Buy That Puppy in the Window

By: Cathrine M. Sheeter

10 Reasons NOT to buy a puppy from a pet shop 

1. Health

That adorable puppy in the window of the pet store is hard to resist, but you may be paying a lot of money for a dog that you know very little about. Pet stores generally rely on impulse buys to sell their "product". There is a good chance that the pet store puppy will develop a health problem sometime in its life that may cost you a lot of money to remedy. When you buy a pet store puppy it is very unlikely that the puppy's parents were screened for genetic diseases that can be passed to their offspring. Every breed of dog has genetic problems that are passed from generation to generation by breeding dogs that carry the flawed gene. Many of these genetic problems can be detected with today's technology, but these tests are expensive. People who are concerned about the welfare and future of their breed will have these tests conducted to preserve and improve in the future quality of their breed. Most good breeders are more concerned about the health of the puppies that they are producing than the money that they will or won't make on the production of a litter.

2. The myth about AKC papers

Most pet shops would like you to believe that if a puppy is registered by the American Kennel Club, this guarantees the puppy will be healthy and a good example of the breed. This is not so. The only thing that AKC papers certify is that the puppy is a purebred and produced out of AKC registered parents. Even this can be fiction, as some producers register more puppies than are actually born in each litter to receive extra registration slips to pass out with unregisterable puppies. The parents of your puppy may be unhealthy or carriers of crippling or deadly health defects which they may have passed to their offspring- your puppy. They may also be horrible representations of the breed that you are buying. Often times the parentage of pet store puppies is also questionable due to poor record keeping. In other words, your puppy may not even be a purebred, even though it has AKC papers. Responsible breeders do register their puppies with the AKC, but that is only the beginning.

3. The pet shop guarantee

Many pet stores provide a form of guarantee for people buying puppies from them, but their guarantees may be as bad as none at all. A not-so-uncommon scenario goes something like this: after your family has become attached to your adorable new puppy you find out it is sick. It will cost you several hundred dollars to treat, so you take the puppy back to the store to receive your guarantee. What they will most likely offer to do is trade you puppies- take away your beloved pet and replace it with a new puppy, not necessarily a healthier one, either. They will most likely euthanize the puppy you brought back, because this is cheaper for the store. The other tactic that some stores use is to tell you your puppy will grow out of the problem- until their guarantee has expired. Do you want to take this risk?

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4. What will that puppy look like when it is full grown?

You may have seen specimens of the breed that you are buying, but this does not guarantee that this puppy will fit the breed standard. You do not know if the parents fit the standard either and cannot see the faults that each parent has. There is no perfect dog, but a good breeder will be willing to discuss the faults and strengths that each of their dogs possesses. You should also be able to see at least the mother of the puppy that you are buying if bought from a responsible breeder. Even then you can not tell exactly what the puppy will look like, but you will have a much better idea of what to expect. Why spend so much money without even knowing what the puppy's parents look like?

5. What do you know about the breed?

Employees of pet stores generally know very little about the dogs that are in the store. They can probably tell you a little bit about the breed and then point you to a rack of generic dog books. What do you do after you bring the puppy home, only to find that this breed is not the right one for you and your family? Good breeders are full of information about the breed of puppy that you are considering. They should be able to tell you the general temperament aspects of the breed and help you predict whether this breed of dog will fit into your lifestyle. They will also be able to warn you about specific health problems that the breed is prone to and will be able to tell you what aspects the breed excels in. There is no breed of dog perfect for every person and a good breeder is concerned that their puppy goes to a home that they will fit into.

6. Housebreaking and training problems

This puppy that you are buying from a pet store has most likely spent much of its life in a cage. Many pet store puppies have never seen carpet and may never have even seen grass or dirt. Due to the conditions that puppies are kept in at pet stores, they have been forced to eliminate in the same area that they sleep and eat. This goes against the dog's natural instinct, but your puppy has had no choice. This habit may make housebreaking your puppy much more difficult. A good breeder keeps the puppy area very clean and makes sure the puppy has a separate elimination area. By the time the puppies are ready to go to their new homes they will be well on the way to being house trained. Good breeders will often also start teaching their puppies how to walk on a leash and to lie quietly for grooming. A pet store puppy has most likely never walked on a leash or been brushed before. It can be much more difficult to teach a pet store puppy these daily exercises than a puppy that has been brought up properly. Responsible breeders also base their breeding decisions in part on their dogs' temperament and personality, not only on looks or the fact that they are purebred. Most pet store puppies' parents have not been selected for any reason other than they can produce puppies that sell as cute "purebreds" registered by the AKC.

7. How about Socialization?

Your pet store puppy may well have never been in a house before. If this is the case then everything will be new and scary for them. The doorbell, vacuum cleaner, and children playing are all new sensations that can be terrifying to an unsocialized puppy. Good breeders will expose their puppies to many situations so that the puppies are used to them by the time that they go to their new homes. Most responsible breeders have evaluated the temperament of each of their puppies before they are placed in a new home. A good breeder will know, due to hours of observation, which puppies are dominant and which are shy, which are energetic and which are easy going. Then the breeder will be able to match the puppy to the new owner and make sure that energetic pups go to active families and that shy puppies go to a home that can help them overcome their insecurity. This careful evaluation enables a breeder to choose which puppy will fit your household and much of the guesswork is taken out of the selection process. Good breeders can help you make an educated decision about all aspects of your puppy's feeding, training and overall maintenance and care based on your family situation. If you are going to spend so much money on a dog that you plan to keep for its lifetime, why not find one that will fit into your lifestyle well?

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8. What is a pedigree worth?

Some pet shops make a big deal out of their puppies' pedigrees. This is interesting, as the pedigree is really just a piece of paper with names on it. Unless you know the dogs behind those names the pedigree is really quite useless to the new owner. Can the pet store tell you what your puppies grand- parents died of, or how long they lived? Do any of the dogs in your pup's pedigree carry genetic diseases? Most pet store employees do not know any more about your puppy's background than you do. A reputable breeder can tell you all of this information about your pup's family tree and more. When you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder you are getting more than a piece of paper, you are getting the important information associated with the names too. Almost all responsible breeders will achieve titles on their dogs by showing them under unbiased judges. They will achieve championships on their dogs, which tells that the dog is a good representation of the breed. Some breeders also obtain obedience, or other titles that relate to the job that their breed of dog was originally bred to perform. Many also achieve canine good citizen titles on their breeding dogs. These titles will be shown on the dog's pedigree before and after the parents' names. Ask the breeder to explain what the letters mean.

9. Do you want to support puppy mills?

Almost all puppies that are in pet stores come from puppy mills. These operations are exactly what the name implies. Most mass produce puppies with money as the prime motive. Their breeding dogs are often kept in very poor conditions and are sometimes malnourished. The dogs are almost never tested for genetic diseases and may not receive vaccinations. Puppy mills often obtain their breeding dogs from people in a hurry to get rid of their dogs for some reason, often through "free dog" ads in newspapers or public auctions. Occasionally they are stolen from their owners. Females are generally bred every heat cycle until they are worn out and then they are often sentenced to death. The horror of puppy mills is encouraged every time a puppy is bought from a puppy store.

How do you know that your puppy comes from one of these places? The main reason is that almost no responsible breeders will sell puppies to pet stores. Good breeders want to make sure that their puppies go to good homes and are well cared for. They want to be actively involved in screening the home that their puppies go to. Breeders are also concerned about keeping track of their puppies after they leave the breeder's home. They will know about any health problems that their lines may carry, and will be interested in any health problems that a puppy of their breeding develops. A pet store usually never hears about their puppies once they leave the store, and generally really don't care. Buying from a pet store does not mean that you will save any money in the purchase price of the puppy either. When you buy from a reputable breeder there is no middle man involved who wants to take his share of the profit out of the price of the puppy. Often the price that good breeders charge is no more, and sometimes less, than what you will pay buying a puppy from a pet store.

10. After the puppy goes home

Once you take the puppy home from the pet store they do not generally care what happens to the puppy. Most pet shops do not care if the dog is left to run loose and kill livestock, or if it dies of liver disease at one year old. If you have a training problem they will often be unable or unwilling to give you training advice. Most do not care if you take your dog home and breed it continually. Responsible breeders are more than people who sell puppies, they will also be good friends to you and your puppy. They care what happens to their puppies' once they are sold. Almost all good breeders sell on spay/neuter contracts or limited registration. This practice enables breeders to keep dogs that are not breeding quality out of the breeding population and also monitor what happens to their puppies in their new homes. Some breeders sell show quality puppies on co-ownership, so that they retain a portion of the dog's ownership, for better control of what happens to their dog later in it's life. If you have a health or training problem a good breeder will generally be able to offer you advice and help you through the ordeal. Most reputable breeder care about each of their puppies' futures and will be concerned about their welfare. They care not only about their own dogs, but also the impact their dogs will make on the breed as a whole.

So please next time you are looking for a new puppy to buy do your research buy attending American Kennel Club sanctioned shows, talking to many breeders, requiring proof of genetic tests and hip and elbow x-rays and request to see one or both of the parents of your new puppy. The pet store is the worst place to buy a puppy and as long as there is a market for pet store puppies other dogs will be condemned to death by mass breeding only so that a few people can make some money with no thought of their "products" welfare. This is not to say that a good pet has never come out of a pet store, as many have, but for each that has many more have not. Remember when you buy a puppy you are adding another member to your family, not just another piece of furniture that can be disposed of at the smallest whim, and you are responsible for every piece of extra baggage that puppy comes with. Why take the risks when so many reputable breeders are there to guide you along the way of your dogs development?

So please next time you are looking for a new puppy to buy, do your research. One of the best steps toward becoming an educated puppy buyer and dog owner is to attending American Kennel Club sanctioned shows and carefully researching each breed that you are interested in. Once you decide what breed of dog you would like to add to your household, talk to many breeders. Good breeders can inform you about genetic diseases common in the breed you want and are generally happy to share their knowledge. When you are ready to buy a puppy from a particular planned litter ask the breeder for proof of genetic tests specific to the breed and request to see one or both of the parents of your new puppy. A common excuse for buying a puppy from a pet store is that you do not plan to show your puppy, you just want a companion. Out of each litter that a reputable breeder produces there is a good chance that at least a portion of the puppies in each litter will not be show quality, but would make outstanding pets. Not every puppy that a breeder produces is destined for stardom in the show ring, but might well be the next shining star in your household. Please pass up the next puppy you see in the pet store and contact breed organizations. They will be able to match you with a responsible breeder that will help you add a well adjusted and healthy new canine member to your family. Other positive alternatives are adopting a dog from your local humane society or adopting a rescue dog from various rescue organizations located throughout the United States. Every breed of dog registered by the AKC has at least one rescue organization that will take in dogs of that breed and places them in new loving homes. There are endless numbers of dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages and personalities in need of a new loving home. When you obtain a dog from one of these organizations you are more than saving that dogs life. You are also sparing a female dog in some puppy mill from being condemned to produce yet another litter for pet shop sales. So please be rational and thoughtful when you go to get your next dog and help prevent irresponsible pet ownership. A pet store is generally the worst place to buy a puppy. As long as there is a market for pet store puppies, other dogs will be condemned to death by mass breeding only so that a few people can make some money, often with no thought of the welfare of their "product." This is not to say that a good pet has never come out of a pet store, as many have. For each that has, though, many others have not. Remember, when you buy a puppy, you are adding another member to your family, not just another piece of furniture that can be disposed of at the smallest whim. You would not have a child without careful research and planning for the child's future ten or fifteen years down the road. Your new dog should be no different. Adding a dog to the family is a long term commitment and responsibility that should be taken seriously and only acted upon after careful consideration and research.

Bibliographies:

Lewallen, Ruth Dawn. Soap Box Time. [Online] Available: http://www.stretcher.com/stories/960603c.htm  [As viewed 1998, January 20]

Randolph, Mary. When a Dog Is a Lemon. [Online] Available: http://www.nolo.com/nn179.html [As viewed 1998, January 20]

Stark, Karl. Puppy mills ruin the family pet. The Philadelphia Inquirer. (December 10, 1995) [Online] Link no longer available: http://www.phillynews.com/packages/dogs/stark4.htm [As viewed 1998, January 20]

Stark, Karl. Digging into the AKC: Taking cash for tainted dogs. The Philadelphia Inquirer. (December 31, 1995) [Online] Link no longer available: http://www.phillynews.com/packages/dogs/akex31.htm  [As viewed 1998, January 20]

Woolf, Norma Bennett. What About a Pet Store Puppy?. (1995) [Online] Available: http://www.canismajor.com/dog/petstor.html [As viewed 1998, January 29]

Don't Buy That Doggie in the Window!. [Online] Link no longer available: http://pawsafe.org/dontbuy.html [As viewed 1998, January 21]

Puppy Love. The Philadelphia Inquirer. (December 17, 1995) [Online] Link no longer available: http://www.phillynews.com/packages/dogs/puppy4.htm  [As viewed 1998, January 20]

** Quoted from Lynyear Havanese (Go check some beautiful dogs!)

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  Choosing the Right Dog, by the AKC

Puppy buying should never be a spur-of-the-moment decision. A lot of thought, consideration and exploration should be undertaken before a new pup is brought into a home. Owning a dog is a lifestyle choice that needs thorough study with an eye towards the care, obligation and responsibility entailed for the life of that pet. 

"Choosing the purebred dog that's right for you requires some work. There is no substitute for making a careful study of each breed's characteristics and narrowing down the field until you are left with the one that best suits your temperament, lifestyle, accommodations and taste...”

“Before you buy any puppy, be sure you fully understand what the future holds in store. Will the adult dog be large and/or require extensive grooming? Is it likely to need lots of outdoor exercise? Don't forget to ask yourself whether its temperament will be appropriate for your family, especially the younger members...” 

When you have narrowed the field on what breed you are interested in buying, go to a dog show, buy dog books, consult this website and search out legitimate kennels. Talk to breeders and other experts. Learn as much as possible about the breed. Before you go further, be sure you are able to take care of the breed you have in mind. Be sure you have the time, interest and ability to meet its requirements and needs for its lifetime. And be sure that the puppy (and ultimate grown-up dog) is going to be accepted by the rest of your family as a part of the family unit.

“A fundamental decision you need to make is which sex you plan to buy. Males are typically larger than females . . . A bitch that has not been spayed will come into season approximately twice a year, at which time you must take measures to isolate her from males and prevent staining in your home. If you do not expect to breed or exhibit your dog at shows, we recommend having it spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. These procedures do not change a dog's personality, but they can help preserve its health and curb the pet population.”  

Whether you purchase a male or a female is a personal decision: one may be more difficult to housetrain than the other; one too quiet and demur. It depends on your time, activities and interests, as well as what pup you fall in love with. Sometimes you need to let intuition be your guide.

“Once you've decided on the right breed, you should make every attempt to find the right breeder, someone you can communicate with and trust. The right breeder will advise you on your choice (perhaps even point you in another direction) and will guide you through the selection process. The breeder will also continue to provide information and support as your dog matures, and should be able to answer your questions and address your concerns about issues such as housebreaking, leash training, grooming and feeding...” 

Do not buy a dog from a pet shop or a retailer who purchased the animal from a wholesaler. Instead seek out a legitimate breeder, preferably one who specializes in the breed you have in mind. When visiting that breeder, ask to see the parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and/or grandparents. Look for healthy, happy dogs raised in a clean home or kennel. Ask questions. A breeder is there to help you and a good breeder will be at your side, no farther away than the telephone or computer email, throughout the life of your dog. You can find a breeder in your area by contacting the national breed club or a local all-breed club. You can go to our Club Search page for contact info.

“...Your puppy should be fully weaned, appear healthy and alert and be clearly ready for independence from its mother. Do not select a puppy that appears ill (signs include nasal discharge and/or watery eyes) or one whose littermates seem unhealthy. A cowering, trembling, shy puppy, or one that seems snappy and bad tempered should be avoided. As soon as possible, bring the new puppy to your own veterinarian for a complete physical examination and any necessary inoculations or dewormings.” 

Bringing a new puppy home requires a lot of forethought. You need to be sure you have a bedding area, proper water and food, toys and grooming supplies. A breeder can help you in determining what you need and guide you during the pup's first days in its new home. 

It is important that you bring a new pup home at a time when the household is quiet and peaceful, when everyone has time to spend with the newcomer. A new pup needs to be carefully and thoughtfully introduced to its new home. 

A dog can bring a lifetime of joy and happiness to any home when care and thought is given to its needs and requirements. The time and money spent will be returned many times over in the form of companionship, devotion and unquestioning love.

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Take a test!

This is a fun way to get the whole family involved in finding that perfect dog you’re looking for. Here are the links to some of the sites that offer this breed select tests on line. Be candid with your answers. This is not a personality test, it is meant to match your family’s life style with the breeds that would best suit you. After you’re given some choices, go ahead and research even further the breeds selected. You’ll have fun and you will learn a lot along the way.

Remember: Dogs come in different shapes, sizes, and their temperament and needs are not alike! So, before you take home a puppy, DO RESEARCH THE BREED! Talk to serious breeders, read a lot, surf the web, get to meet adult dogs of the breed you’re interested in, find out all the health issues that pertain to that breed, DO NOT BUY IN PET SHOPS! – no matter how cute and cuddly that puppy looks. Your family and your dog will thank you for it. 

Now, go ahead, have fun, and find your perfect companion! 

SELECT SMART   WALTHAM, Select a dog   DOG BREED INFO

Finding a dog is easy, finding the perfect dog for you and your family requires work and commitment.  Your decision will have consequences for all involved, so don't take it lightly.  If you're lucky, your new companion will live for the next 15 or more years as a member of your family.  Do your homework.

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