You
wouldn't. But sometimes dog owners base the crucial decision of buying
a puppy on looks and other skin-deep criteria.
It's the
"doggie in the window" syndrome. A wagging tail or adorable movie pup
catches your eye. The next minute, you're taking it home. Within five
minutes — poof! — your consummate canine companion has mutated into a
mischievous mongrel, devouring your Louis Vuitton handbag or shredding
the remote control.
What went
wrong? Many things, the most important being you acted on impulse. A
better way to select a puppy is to rely on honest self-analysis and
careful research long before you buy.
Only after
you have all the information — how to select a breeder or shelter,
choose a breed, pick a puppy and decide on an obedience trainer, to
name a few topics — should you look at litters. Then you will be able
to pick the perfect pet and start building a lifelong friendship.
You've
decided you want a dog. Why? Do you need a hunting partner? Are you
housebound and want a companion? Do the kids need a protector and
playmate? You may have many wonderful, legitimate reasons to get a dog
— love, security, devotion. In return, dogs need the same from you. The
first step in choosing a puppy begins with self-analysis, considering
your lifestyle and your expectations of a dog. For the first question,
you must be brutally honest. It will determine whether a dog is the
right pet for you. How much time do you have for a dog?
Dogs are
social and need to be around other dogs or people. They also need
structure and discipline. Many classic behavioral problems, such as
digging or chewing, result from dogs spending too much time alone. Dogs
become bored when their owners aren't around, so they entertain
themselves. Plus, training takes patience and time. Professionals can
handle some challenges like obedience training, but owners must still
learn the skills they need to handle a dog.
"I ask
people what they know about my breed," said Michelle Hutchinson, a Jack
Russell Terrier breeder in Sun City, Ariz. "If they don't have
sufficient time, they and their homes are going to be worse for wear."
You decide
you do have the time. The next question: What do you want from a dog?
Do you need a jogging partner? A lapdog to brush and primp? A lovable
mutt to hike with your family?
Your next
step: Explore the breeds. The American Kennel Club has 145 registrable
dog breeds in seven groups: Sporting, Herding, Working, Non-sporting,
Toy, Hound and Terrier. These breeds have been honed for years to
perform certain functions. While many share similar characteristics,
they differ in temperament, exercise requirements, maintenance and
grooming.
If you are
looking for a purebred, decide on the qualities you want and narrow the
list. Resist falling for looks. You may love wrinkly Dogue de Bordeaux
puppies, but do you really need a beefy dog whose ancestors fought
bears?
"I ask
potential buyers, 'What's your lifestyle?"' said Kyle Symmes, whose
Temecula, Calif., kennel produced American Bulldog Rattler, who played
Chance in the "Homeward Bond" movies. "Do you sit around and eat
pretzels and watch TV? Or do they say, 'We plan to do the obedience
training. We go camping and to the beach.' They are the ones who will
see the potential and experience the wonderfulness of the breed."
Read books
and magazine articles about breeds. Contact breed clubs for
information. Attend a dog show. Ask breeders whether their variety is
right for you. Once you've decided on a breed, look for a reputable
breeder. Ask your veterinarian. Contact the breed association. Read dog
magazines. Then go visit.
Symmes
recommended going to three kennels before purchasing. "Sometimes it's
not possible to do that, but it would allow you to compare different
facilities," he said.
Tour the
facilities, and talk to the breeder before looking at the dogs. Are the
facilities clean? Do the dogs act territorial in their pens? (This
could signal that they've never been let out.)
Have they
had access to the home? Have they been reared around children?
Ask the
breeders if you can speak to their veterinarians. They can discuss the
dogs' health with you. Ask for references. Find out if the breeder
offers a guarantee. Most will refund your money or replace a dog if it
has medical problems. Others have a lifelong guarantee and will take a
dog back anytime regardless of reason. Ask to see the puppies' parents,
if they are on premises. If they are not, find out where they are. The
parents can give you an idea about the puppies' potentials.
Good
breeders will ask you questions. They want their dogs to live in happy
homes and will inquire about your environment, lifestyle and intentions
for the dog. They may ask you to sign a spaying/neutering agreement on
a pet-quality dog. And don't be surprised if they ask if you can afford
a dog. Purebreds range in price from $200 to more than $1,000, and you
need to plan for veterinary services, supplies and food bills.
Also
consider adopting a dog from your neighborhood shelter or a breed
rescue service (they can be found via the Internet or through local
breed or kennel clubs). The low estimate of the number of dogs left at
shelters each year starts at 4 million. Most dogs are there because
their owners didn't have time for them.
Now you've
passed many hurdles and still haven't looked at any puppies. It's time
for the fun but hard part: looking at puppies while resisting the urge
to take them all home.
Try to
approach this part with a little science and objectivity. First step:
Observe the litter from afar. How do the dogs interact with one
another? Is one more assertive than others? Are any hiding in the
shadows? Some breeders recommend that if you are looking at a strong,
assertive breed, you might want to pick a dog that's less than center
on the assertion scale. By the same token, if you select a more timid
breed, like a Greyhound, consider one of the more outgoing puppies.
Do you want
male or female? Males tend to be larger and more dominant, while
females are usually smaller and more docile. You will be able to tell
whether they reflect these gender traits by watching them.
Next,
interact with the puppies. Extend your hand. Do they shy away or and
bite it gently? The latter reaction is the sign of a well-adjusted
puppy.
Physically
examine each pup. Run your hand through its fur and over the skin,
searching for lesions or bald spots. Look for black spots that smear
red when wet — an indication of fleas. Check for discharge from eyes
and nose. Make sure feet are dry between the pads and not red and
infected. Check bellies and teeth to test for health and disposition.
Roll a puppy over and check for bloating. If the tummy is extended, the
dog could have parasites. Watch the dog's reaction. If a puppy snaps or
balks, it may feel it is the alpha or No. 1 dog in the group — not you.
Check teeth
and gums. See whether the dog resists aggressively or rolls over
submissively. An even-keeled dog might lick you but will settle down
eventually, allowing you to look. Puppy gums should be light pink, not
red or pale.
Symmes also
recommended throwing a ball or other small object among the dogs. Do
they shy away from it, snap at it or sniff at it curiously? Clap and
call the dog, and gauge its reaction. A normal puppy will come to you;
a dominant dog may charge or ignore you; a submissive puppy might run
away.
Breeders
conduct temperament and intelligence tests on their dogs. Ask them to
demonstrate a few involving social interaction and confidence.
With all
this help, you're likely to find a new friend. You've done the
research, did the tests and are ready to take the plunge. Buy the dog.
Take it to a veterinarian for a once-over. Then take it home to name,
nurture and love. You'll need to begin house training immediately, and
you should consider starting light obedience training. Most of all,
spend time enjoying your new pet. The time you invest now will reap you
dividends as it ages.
Once you're
at home sitting with a puppy in your lap, you'll wonder how you ever
managed without such a loving friend. New dog owner Patty Goebner of
Lower Gywnedd, Pa., said she made the right decision in buying Ranger,
now an 8-month-old yellow Labrador Retriever.
She fell for
his soulful eyes and goofy grin, but in reality she and husband Mike
watched a multitude of videos, read books, saw a veterinarian, visited
several breeders and looked at many pups.
"I just
adore him. He's the greatest dog," Goebner said.
And, of
course, he is.
By
Patricia Kime
SIDEBAR:
Best Dogs
May Lead a Shelter Life
When
deciding on a dog, consider your local animal shelter. "Pound" puppies
make some of the most loving and loyal pets, said Michael Kaufmann of
the American Humane Association in Englewood, Colo. The average shelter
dog is 1 year old, but puppies and young adolescents — many of them
housebroken — can also be found. At a shelter, you're likely to have a
good selection and get solid information from employees. You probably
won't see the puppies' parents, but the staff often knows their dogs'
backgrounds and biographies.
"You'll get
good advice at a shelter, just like you would at a breeder," Kaufmann
said. "The staff will ask you to look in the mirror and find out if you
are right for a puppy. And they'll be honest. Most of them are
volunteers who care for these animals. They are not trying to sell you
something."
Most shelter
dogs are friendly and willing to please. The idea that these are "bad"
or aggressive dogs isn't true, Kaufmann said. "Yes, they are bad in a
sense that they are doing normal 'bad' things, like running or barking
— things that, if the animal were cared for and wasn't bored, it
wouldn't be doing."
If you
hesitate to go to a shelter because you want a purebred, think again.
Usually one-sixth of a shelter's stock is AKC-registered dogs. They
might not have registration papers, but if you are looking for a pet
and won't be breeding it, papers really aren't that important.
Shelters are
also excellent sources for older dogs, a group that shouldn't be
dismissed in the pet selection process. These dogs are ideal for people
who, because they work long hours, live alone or are elderly, may not
be up to a puppy's house training requirements.
A reputable
shelter will help you choose a veterinarian, find training classes and
refer you to behaviorists if necessary, Kaufmann said.
And by
getting a dog at a shelter, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you
saved a life and contributed to curbing the nation's dog overpopulation
problem.
"There's
nothing better than knowing you've made a difference in that dog's
life," Kaufmann said..."
