How to: Find the perfect puppy for your family

Christmas is a time many people select a new puppy for the family but sadly, by Easter, many of them get dumped. Here are some ideas to avoid the pitfalls of selecting the wrong dog for your family.

PUPPY BUYING TIP #1: Don’t fall in love with the doggy in the window.

Impulse buying from a pet shop window, the cute puppy displayed on the television advertisement or the cheeky dog whose eyes are full of love and softness for its owner while it is being fed that special dog food to it, are not dog breeds you should consider. Often, how a breed is depicted on television or a movie is not truly what they’re like!

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When you are selecting a dog for your family, temperament is king. Most dog bites on young children are inflicted by the family dog or the neighbour’s dog, mostly because they are the wrong breed for a family.

If you are selecting a new pup for the family, consider a few breeds then contact several breeders. Talk to them about their breed and then ask for their opinion on the other breeds you are considering. And don’t forget to talk to your local veterinarian or veterinary nurse; they see hundreds of dogs each year so their educated opinion may be invaluable.

PUPPY BUYING TIP #2: Meet the parents!

Whether you like it or not, you may end up like your parents, in looks and temperament. And your dog will end up like his parents. So if you are buying a puppy, try and see the parents if possible. If you can’t at least see the mother of the litter then walk away and find another breeder.

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PUPPY BUYING TIP #3: Never buy from breeders that do not disclose all heritable diseases of their breeds.

Like people, dogs can have heritable defects, whether they are crossbred or purebred.

If you are buying from a breeder, ask to see all the hereditary testing they have performed on the parents. Your local veterinarian can give you a list of testing that should be performed on each breed.

If a breeder tells you that these things don’t exist in their kennels, run! Always ensure you have a written guarantee that you can return the pup in the first week and have a vet check performed within a few days of purchase. And show the veterinarian results of the hereditary disease tests performed on the parents or the pup when appropriate.

PUPPY BUYING TIP #4: Time out.

It’s not just time to feed, give clean water, a groom now and then and a daily walk that your dog needs. Some “time out” with you is the best gift you can give your dog and yourself. It will lower your blood pressure and results in less heart disease.

How?

Two things: firstly, join a local obedience club and attend once weekly (puppy pre-school is not enough). Practice what they teach you at big school for five to 10 minutes each day. If you really want to get fit, go to agility.

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Secondly, and this is really not taxing, have your dog lie or sit beside you while you watch television or read a book. (Confession: My 28kg, very tall, pink Standard Poodle sits across my lap while I read!).

PUPPY BUYING TIP #5: Social calendar.

Every family member needs to be social but this requires as much training as it does breeding. Get your pup out and about at an early age, introducing new people, new places and new experiences is an essential part of being part of the family.

If you try all these ideas, you’ll not only end up with a great family member but maybe one of the best friends you’ve ever had!