CHOOSING YOUR DOG

When a dog is chosen with little forethought and does not live up to an owner's expectation - heartbreaking consequences. The key to a successful relationship between you and your pet is to make the right choice in the first place.

FAMILY MATTER

Before taking on the responsibility of a dog, make sure that whole family is willing to care for the new pet. Feeding, play, exercise, training and grooming are all essential. If you don't have this time, perhaps a cat or smaller animal would be a better choice of pet. Also, make sure that no one in the family is allergy to dogs. Many dogs are given up because of an allergy that was overlooked. Consider the overall costs of owning a dog. Think about the price of food, leashes, toys and veterinary care, not mention the replacement of demolished household items. You may also need to build a fence or hire a dog-walker. Once it is firmly established that there are enough committed caretakers, it's time to consider exactly what kind of dog you want.

THE RIGHT DOG

Get to know as much as you can about the characteristics of different breeds so you can narrow your choices to those that best fit your needs. Dog breeds tend to have distinct appearances and behave in distinct ways. For example, the sporting breeds were bred for long hours in the field and tend to need a lot of exercises. Therefore, a retriever may not be the right choice if you are living in an apartment. However, if you live in the suburbs and have a large fenced yard, a retriever may be perfect. For department dwellers, a less active breed may be best. The giant breeds, like Great Danes and Newfoundland, require little exercise. The toy breeds can get much of exercise they need in the hall of your apartment. But be careful, as some are quite noisy.

Coat length dogs should also be considered when deciding upon a breed. Long-coated dogs, such as Chow Chows and keeshonds, have a beautiful thick coats but they require a good deal of grooming to keep them that way. Shorted-coated dogs, such as Labradors and Dalmatians, require less grooming but tend to shed hair all year round. The breeds that don't shed, such as Bichon Frises and Poodles, need to be clipped regularly - an additional expenses is needed if this is done professionally.

Room To Move
If you choose an active breed, such as this Golden Retriever, plenty of exercise is needed.

Think about the climate your dog will be living in. The Arctic breeds, such as Huskies and Samoyeds, have thick coats and tend to be uncomfortable in hot, humid climates. On the other hand, Greyhounds get very chilled in cold climates. If the conditions are extreme where you live, choose a dog whose coat type permits adaptation.

Gender must also be taken into consideration. In general, males can have more behavioral problems and are more aggressive than females. While dogs of either sex make wonderful companions, first- time dog owners or families with children might want to look for a female first.

Mixed breed often make great, loving pets. The breeding of genetically similar dogs can result in diseases, such as hip dysplasia, and behavioral problems, such as aggression. Adopting a mixed-breed is one of the best ways to avoid inherited diseases. Although it is not as easy to predict the adult appearance or behavior of a mixed breed, most are very appealing and many are in need of homes.