As we move into the spring, shelters start filling up quickly with the Christmas puppies that got too big, no training was done, or just were never wanted.... and the fate for many is not good. This is the sad reminder that pets are not gifts, and should be a family decision to bring in a new member.
One of the most important things you can do when getting a dog is to do a basic obedience class. Regardless of the many stories and reasons given, the bottom line is, you almost never see a dog in a shelter or being given away that has had obedience training. There are wonderful certified trainers and are reasonably priced and will be a small price to pay to have a nice family dog that will live its lifetime in one home. Please find a certified trainer near you to work with your new dog www.ccpdt.org or contact Mastiffs to Mutts for a recommendation.
When considering a pet for a child, remember it is the adult caregiver in the household who will ultimately be responsible for caring for the animal. Kids make many promises when begging for that cute puppy or kitten. Little do they know that the work that comes along with owning a pet is constant and will last much longer than the novelty of having one does. You simply can't expect a child, age 5, 10 or even 15 to understand and appreciate the lifelong care that they need every single day of their lives. Mom or dad, the pet may be for your kids, but the responsibility is ultimately yours. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents, be sure to speak with mom and dad to be sure they are up to this task. It's not fair to the animal to ultimately give it away later, or tie it outside to be used as a lawn ornament because your child didn't keep the promises they made.
When considering a pet for someone outside of your own household, remember that your idea of the perfect companion may be very different than the person for whom you're buying. Even if they specifically requested a certain breed, every individual animal has it's own personality, temperament, and exercise needs. The person who is receiving the gift should have an opportunity to meet the pet in question to be sure it has the qualities he or she is looking for. It's also important that pets already in the household get along with the new animal, and vice versa. The only way to know this for sure is for the existing pets to meet the prospective new one prior to bringing them home.
Adding a new pet to your family should not be an impulse buy. It takes time to research and really consider what traits you are looking for in a new companion. For example, labs and golden retrievers are known for being great with children. While this is true, both breeds are in the sporting group which consists of dogs who have a very high energy level and need for exercise. If you aren't up to providing adequate exercise (this entails much more than allowing your dog to run in a fenced yard, or just taken for a leisurely walk once a day), this would not be a good choice. Underexercised dogs will often become hyperactive and destructive in their homes, which are two of the main reasons these breeds are later given away or taken to a shelter.
Also consider the ongoing costs of owning a pet. You will need to buy food, toys, and provide yearly veterinary examinations. Puppies and kittens need 3 rounds of initial boosters and a rabies vaccination. They need their boosters to be repeated every year, and will need to be spayed or neutered. None of this is inexpensive.
When selecting a breeder, please do your homework. Most breeds are prone to certain medical conditions, and a good breeder will have done genetic testing on both parents to prevent them from occurring in their puppies. A good breeder will provide you with this documentation, as well as guarantee that the puppy will not come down with such ailments. The initial purchase price will be higher, but the veterinary bills you will accrue later will ultimately be much less. Consider the $2000-$6000 it would cost for hip dysplasia surgery, or the heartache of losing a beloved pet at a young age due to a heart malformation - it puts it in perspective. A good breeder will also always take back a puppy they sold, regardless of age, if you are unable to keep it later. They don't want their puppies to end up in a shelter. Also be wary of any dog registry other than the AKC. Other registries are sub-par and have many less requirements when registering a dog. To find a good breeder, start with www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm.
As always, when thinking of adding a new pet, consider adoption. As of today (12/3/09) there are 319,962 pets in need of loving homes at www.petfinder.com. Most are young, and 25% are purebred.
