There are many things you need to consider before purchasing the right dog breed dog or puppy.
You need to ask yourself these questions:
1- What type of dog are you actually looking for?
2- Do you really have the space or yard for a dog?
3- Do you have the time to exercise a dog?
4- Some dogs need grooming and extra activities due to boredom, do you really have the time? 5- Your lifestyle .You don't want to buy a dog that needs constant attention if you are never home.
6-Patience, as all dogs need someone who is patient ,especially a puppy with obedience training and potty training.
Dogs are great companions but require a lot of care, and once you buy the dog or puppy you are bound for its life span to care for it.
If you are buying from a breeder, make sure all health checks are done, and you are provided with papers to confirm the pup came from healthy parents.
A decent breeder will offer a money-back guarantee if your puppy fails the initial health exam and should have had his vaccinations.
If you get an adult dog or puppy from a shelter he should have received preventive health care and checked for heartworm and also another other defects.
But not all shelters will do any more checks on a puppy other than the routine check of healthy looking, weight, and temperament etc.
This I should know as I own two lovely dogs.
My silky terrier in 9yr old and I bought him from a breeder. All the correct checks and he is perfect. He was trained as a guard dog but yet is fantastic with my children and my family.
My other dog is a 12month old white bullterrier pup, that we bought from a shelter thinking we hit the jack pot with finding a pure bred bully in the pound. We asked the right questions, like where did she come from, and were told she was handed in as a stray. Wow What luck we had.
She is healthy and very playful. So we got her home and I noticed very quickly that when I called her she didn't come to me, or when I turn on a vacuum cleaner while she was asleep she didn't budge once!
So off to the vet we go suspecting she is deaf, and yes it was later confirmed she was born deaf and it is genetic.
She is visual trained , not voice trained and it takes a lot of very hard work, and the shelter never picked up on it as she was just like any other puppy in the pen being playful and would greet them. But it was only by her vision, not by being called.
So before you take the steps in buying a dog, be sure it is what you really want to do and can really offer the best care for it as they are not ornaments to sit in a yard. They become your child and will always depend on you.
If you don't have the time to play with your dog, walk it, or generally just be there for it .
63% of Australian households have some sort of pet in their home.
But with today's hectic lifestyles maybe some people should think twice before buying a dog that eventually grows up to become something more than what they may have bargained for.
But the upside to owning a dog, is the fact regardless , you have their unconditional love.
The Schipperke can live in an apartment but they are very active. They are better off with a properly enclosed space for exercise. They are a healthy, long lived breed. They make great watch dogs and will eliminate vermin. They can get along with other pets if socialized early. They can also do well with older children if socialized with them as a puppy. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.
*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Schipperke is 10 to 13 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 12 to 18 pounds.
*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Schipperke is no exception. Be on the look out for epilepsy, cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness), Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), and Hypothyroid. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.
*Grooming. The Schipperke has a medium length double coat. When they shed, they can lose their entire undercoat in less then 10 days. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.
*Life Span. The Schipperke can live between 16 and 18 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
*History. The Schipperke come from Belgium where they were used to herd sheep. They were also used as watch dogs, horse hustlers and ratters for canal boats. Their name means Little Captain, as captains of barges often owned them. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1904.
Some Registries: * Schipperke Club of America *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = American Canine Registry
*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS They make good watch dogs. They make medium watch dogs. Keeps herself very clean.
*SPECIAL BAD POINTS Tend to overeat. *Other Names Known By: Little Captain, Schip,
*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
Both Marie Duram & Mitch Endick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Marie Duram has sinced written about articles on various topics from Puppies Dogs. Marie Duram writes for a website dedicated to helping people find some great. Marie Duram's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.
Mitch Endick has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Puppies Dogs and Education. Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com.