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Which breed?

 

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……………….

Click for more dog stories

 

• Dogs
• The diverse Dachshund
• Gi-Gi & her bath
• My new best friend
• Prince
• Prince and his reflection
• Prince and his pals
• Our best friend
• Raising a puppy
• Run Free
• This is Sophie
• Glen

 

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