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There is a breed of dog to suit
everyone, from miniature toy dogs to giant breeds like the Saint
Bernard. Each breed has its own passionate supporters but you can be certain
that there will be one just for you. Each breed also has its own characteristics
and there are many web-sites where you can study the different types and
where you may well be surprised at what you discover. For example, dachshunds
are brave way beyond their size and will fiercely defend your territory
while greyhounds are real couch potatoes and hate exercise!
Do also consider a mongrel or cross
breed. Sometimes both parents will be known, sometime the bloodline
will be so mixed that you can only guess at what went before, but that
mixed bloodline often provides greater resistance to known genetic problems
in some highly developed breeds.
The important thing when choosing
a dog is how you react with it when you first meet and equally
important, how the dog reacts to you. Dogs are great judges of character
and if one thinks you are the answer to his problems, he or she will make
it very clear.
Buying a dog
If your heart is set on a particular
pedigree, be prepared to pay anything from £100.00 or so to well
over £1,000. Check the breeder's reputation, see the pups
while they are still with their mother (and ask if it is possible to see
the father). Choice is often emotional rather than rational, but the lively
bright eyed one is probably going to be the pick of the litter - and may
be priced accordingly!
For an older person, think about
housing an animal from a rescue centre. You will avoid the sometimes
trying period of weaning a puppy, you will be able to see your dog fully
grown so there will be no surprises in store and best of all, you will
be improving the life of an animal which may have had an unhappy start
in life.
Another advantage of buying from
a rescue centre is that the dog or bitch will have been examined
by a vet and evaluated for its health suitability for a particular type
of owner. Costs will vary from centre to centre but expect anything from
£25.00 to £75.00 or so which is usually considered as a donation.
Demands
Yes, every dog makes demands on
you. They require their own space, need regular feeding and exercise
and they need love. Of course, they force you into a kind of discipline,
insist on you going out in the mornings, going out in the rain and snow,
restrict where you go on holiday perhaps, but in return, they give you
their complete affection and become part of your family. Indeed, they
may consider that you are their family.
Feeding
Most dogs should only be fed once
or twice a day. Take advice for your breed but it is very easy
to overfeed which leads to the same problems of aching joints and cardiac
troubles as in overweight humans. Dogs are masters in the art of scrounging
and it is often hard not to give tit bits & treats. A few, fine. Too
many and you create problems.
Go into any pet shop and you will
see a vast variety of foodstuffs, tinned and dry, and at substantial
prices. Your choice of course but we feed our 35Kg (about 75lb) Greyhound
on a maintenance diet of dried pellets - made by one of the top names
and sold VAT free for working type dogs - which costs about £8.00
for a 25Kg. sack. You might need to go to a farmer's outlet to find it.
We supplement this with cooked vegetables, gravy and anything else from
our own meals, sometimes add a raw egg and we also give a garlic capsule
and a cod liver oil capsule each day. Total cost perhaps 35p a day and
I promise you, he looks good on it! Bear in mind also that every dog should
always have access to a bowl of fresh water.
Health &
Vet bills
One item which can give cause for
concern is the risk of illness or accidents. Routine injections
(once a year) won't take too much out of the pension but bear in mind
that vets are now capable of performing all types of sophisticated surgery
and they charge similar prices to doctors but without any National Health
to cover the costs! Certainly worth looking at taking out a pet insurance
policy at an early stage and this will also provide you with protection
from third part claims in the event of your dog causing or being blamed
for an accident. It may not be possible to buy insurance for an older
dog or some ex working dogs, so do ask for advice when you buy.
Whatever
the cost - your dog will be the best investment you ever make
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