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You are the most important person in your pet's life! .As a responsible guardian, the more you know about your pet's medical, nutritional and behavioral needs, the healthier and happier your its life will be. These useful tips can give you a good starting point to understand your companion animal's health and behavior.
Thinking of getting a dog? You're in good company, canines have been sharing homes with humans for thousands of years. The first step to becoming a dog owner is making the commitment to care for an animal. You will be responsible for food, shelter, grooming and medical care for its entire life.
Now, you'll need to determine what kind of dog will make the best match for you and your family. Experts ask that you consider the following:
- Are there children at home?
Your best bet would be a medium- to large-sized dog over 5 months old. Children under seven years old usually are not developmentally suited for younger puppies, who have sharp teeth and nails that can easily injure a child. Toy-sized dogs of less than 7 Kg’s (15 pounds) are not recommended if you have young children. These fine-boned canines do not hold up well to rough, clumsy handling.
- Will your lifestyle mesh with your dog's?
Various breeds and mixes of breeds have different requirements: hounds, terriers, and sporting and herding dogs in general need more training and exercise, so these animal companions are perfect if you're the active type. Do you plan to spoil your pet? If so, avoid a guarding breed but consider a toy-sized dog bred specifically to be a pampered companion. If your heart is set on a purebred, find out as much as you can before you bring one home. Congenital problems are more common in purebreds, some of which are born with a predisposition to hip dysplasia, glaucoma, heart disease and skin disorders to name just a few. To avoid the heartbreak of a chronically ill pet, go straight to a responsible breeder or breed-rescue group.
You'd be surprised at the number of purebreds turned in to shelters simply because the former owner didn't bank on bringing his Shih Tzu to the groomer every month, or didn't know what to do when his bored retriever began chewing the house to bits.
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