I have always told my friends that owning a dog is like having a child that never grows up. Think about it! Except for the whole potty training thing (which takes up to 6 months), a dog is in constant reliance of his master(s). If you want to go on vacation you pretty much have three options: 1-Take them with you. 2- Place them in a kennel. 3- Have or hire someone to stay at your home while you are away. Each has it's own ramifications that must be carefully thought of: Is the kennel reputable? Does my dog always come home sick from the kennel? Does the hotel we are staying at take animals? Is the person staying at our home really taking care of our babies as we would? Remember, a dog will soon become your child. Anyone who says they are "just" pets is full of "you know what".
Selecting a new dog for your home is also a fun experience, but you must be realistic and fair, not only to yourself, but more importantly to the dog. Think of the style of life you live, the size of your home or apartment, if there are children, and how much you travel. Dogs are not something you can just throw in a closet while you are away. They need ATTENTION and lots of love and affection. I always hear of friends and acquaintances that want a specific type of dog that simply does not match their lifestyle. For example, a employee of mine who is single and in his late 20's wants to get either a Rottweiler or German Shepherd. He is constantly traveling, and constantly away from his home when he isn't traveling. A dog of this size requires lots of exercise (and when they are pups lots of training) would NOT be the ideal pet for this person.
When you have decided that you definately want a dog, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Find out which type of dog would best fit into your lifestyle. Once you have decided on the breed (NOTE: There are plenty of pound puppies that also make superb pets, so don't think you have to go for a purebred!) the next thing to do is to find a reputable breeder. Under no circumstance should you buy from a pet shop, as most animals sold come from puppy mills where they are often mis-bred, mistreated, and under nourished. Puppy mills are a huge problem in the United States, and not something I wish to spend a lot of time with. However, the more people that refuse to buy from these people, the less chance they will flourish. Reputable breeders can be found on-line. However, you are better off going to a local dog show (The AKC link on my home page can guide you to shows in your area) and asking "Dog People" who are reputable breeders. "Dog People" are passionate about their animals, and are usually VERY honest. Lisa and I have been very fortunate to have met some wonderful people while showing our Springer, Trevor.
So remember, a dog is not a toy, it is a 10-14 year investment in time and love. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at the link at the bottom of our home page. Good Luck! |
