How to choose a dog?

When choosing a future pet, you must not only rely on your own feelings, but also know some of the features of the dog breed, its character and care for it. To make the choice easy and, most importantly, right, honestly answer a few simple questions.

Can you become a responsible dog owner?

It would seem that everyone who wants a dog knows the answer to this question for a long time. However, unfortunately, it is not always correct. A dog is a clear threat to furniture, wallpaper, appliances and wires in your home. In addition, this is a pet with which you must always keep in touch: if your lifestyle involves round-the-clock employment, consider whether it is worth dooming the animal to loneliness. The same applies to business trips and vacations – who will look after your pet during this time?

Why do you need a dog?

This question is about the purpose for which you are going to get a pet: who will be the owner of the dog? What kind of life does this person lead? Where will the dog live: in a country private house or in a city apartment? These factors will influence the choice of animal breed. For example, a St. Bernard can hardly live in a small apartment, but a Yorkshire Terrier will feel great in these conditions.

Not only tests that can be easily found on cynological sites, but also consultations with breed breeders can help with the choice of breed.

The main thing you need to know about the breed: the character traits of its representatives and the diseases to which they are predisposed.

What to look for when buying a puppy from a breeder?

Communication with the breeder is as important a process as choosing a puppy. The owner of the kennel should become for you in some way an example of the correct education of the dog. This should be not just a seller, but a professional who is in love with his job.

When buying a puppy, pay attention to the existence and content of the contract of sale. The breeder must give you the accompanying documents, the main of which is the metric. It indicates the breed, nickname, color, date of birth of the puppy, as well as the names of his parents and the owner’s data. The metric will be needed when registering a dog in the Russian Cynological Federation and obtaining a pedigree.

Can you take a mongrel?

If you want to get a dog not for breeding, but “for the soul”, think about a mongrel. These dogs, having passed natural selection, have good health. True, thanks to the same genes, you can never predict the behavior of a pet. On the one hand, it is very interesting to observe the development of his character, on the other hand, he can bring many surprises, though not always pleasant ones.

Are you ready to take care of your dog?

Training, feeding, daily walks and trips to the doctor are an integral part of a dog’s life. It is necessary to consider a balanced diet for the pet and its physical activity. It is best to do this with a veterinarian, who, by the way, must be visited at least twice a year. These are additional material costs that every potential dog owner should be prepared for.

Everyone knows the old common truth: a dog is a man’s best friend. However, for this friend to be happy, the owner must be loving, responsible, and very considerate.

7 2017 June

Updated: 30 March 2022