If you want a dog, you should be
sure that no one in your home dislikes dogs or is afraid of them.
Some people can learn to like dogs, but you and your pet will
be much happier if it is welcome in your household at once.
Dog breeds are like people. Some breeds are lively and quick.
Others are quiet and calm. And dogs come in all sizes, from the
extremely tiny Chihuahua to the stately Irish Wolfhound, the tallest
of all breeds. If you and your family like quiet animals, you
will find one of the sporting, hound, or working breeds to be
best. If you like action and spirit, a terrier or toy dog will
suit your better.
Large dogs need lots of room and exercise. If you live in a small
house or an apartment, it is better to choose one of the smaller
breeds. But if you live on a farm or in a large house with plenty
of room outside, you may safely decide to get a large breed.
Some breeds shed a great deal of their coats twice a year. Others
like the Poodle and the Kerry Blue Terrier, shed very little or
hardly at all. Even dogs with long or rough coats can be kept
clean and free of loose hairs by daily brushing and combing.
Breeds with long ears, like the Basset Hound, or with hair over
their eyes, like the Old English Sheepdog, may need extra care.
When you decide on the breed that will best suit you, your family,
and your home, look in the classified advertising section of your
telephone book and newspaper for kennels that raise this breed.
Or ask veterinarian or a dog trainer for the names of kennels
raising the breed of your choice. Many breed clubs and the American
Kennel Club have lists of dog breeders that they may recommend
to you. Clean, well-managed pet shops are usually safe places
to buy a dog. It is a good idea to have a veterinarian examine
a new pet.
What should you pay for a good pedigreed and registered puppy?
The price will depend somewhat on the breed, the quality of the
dog’s parents, and the care and feeding its owner has given it.
A healthy, purebred puppy in one of the popular breeds may cost
from $125 to $300. Puppies of very large or rare breeds are usually
more expensive. If you want an older, trained dog or a puppy of
high quality that you could eventually show off or breed, be prepared
to pay even more. If you cannot afford to buy a dog, you can get
a nice mixed-breed puppy at humane society or at any dog advocacy
organization that keeps a kennel.
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