How to select a dog as your pet

             Once you have decided to own a pet dog the next big question that comes to mind is how to select a dog. selection of dog is often crazy as a wrong selection will not only create a unhappy situation in your home but also the pet will be a burden for you. On the other hand, a right choice will bring for you in pacifying your passion of pet ownership and you will get unconditional love and loyalty from your pet irrespective of your social position, economic condition for at least ten years or more.

Consider this before you select a pet

Your purpose–

Dogs are kept mostly

1- For watching of premises, prevention of theft, playing. You should have real liking and affection for this purpose.

2-For playing and entertainment. Toy breed dogs are preferable.

3-For participation in exhibition and dog show- A very special type of training and obedience is needed.

4-For business purpose and selling pedigree dogs- good amount of experience on maintenance of dog is required.

Your affordability

• *Housing- Most pet dogs and toy breed don’t require separate housing. They can be kept either loose or tied in any corner of the house. But heavy and ferocious dogs need separate house arrangement.

• *Food habit of family—Most pet dogs can be maintained in a purely vegetarian diet without any adverse effect when nutritional requirement is taken care of. But a purely vegetarian family should not keep a hunting dog as once adopted to a vegetarian diet such dogs generally lack hunting temperament.

• *Time you can give-At least one family member must be interested in dog and spare some time daily for your pet dog. Even if all family members don’t not like dog at least the dog should not be threatened or bitten by them otherwise it will develop shyness, fear and unruly behavior. Dog should be familiar with all inmates of the house, close relatives.

• * Your Neighbor-You should also remember that several other people will also come in contact with your dog especially your neighbor. Do not expect that all who will come in contact with your dog will have same level of liking and sympathy as you have.

• *Your friends—It is a good idea to keep a contact with people. you know to have some practical knowledge on dog keeping. Once you have your dog over a period of time usually you will develop a close association with other pet owners through sharing your experience with them.

Now have some knowledge on the actual topic which dog to select

Type of dog to select-

Basically, there are two types of dogs- Pedigree and mongrel

Pedigree-Dog that are pure breed and parents are from same breed.

Advantage-You can be sure about its adult body weight, shape, size and coat color

You can have an idea about its temperament and behavior

You can access about the amount of care and management required.

Disadvantage-it will cost more than a mongrel or crossbred dog

Mongrel or crossbred-Dogs born out of either mis mating or intended mating from two different breed.

Advantage-Cross-bred puppy are cheap to buy.

Dis advantage- Puppy bear little resemblance with the pure breed.

Its pattern of growth, body characteristics and temperament cannot be accessed unless it attains its adulthood.

But remember thar some crossbred/crossbred dog prove to be highly intelligent and make good family dogs

At what age you should buy –

        It is good to own a dog in a puppy stage because socialization and learnability in puppy is much advanced than adult dog. When the puppy will grow up it will adapt your style and family. Further your association with the dog will be more intense than an adult dog. Taking on an older dog is difficult to manage as it has already developed its own pattern of behavior which may not be acceptable to you. Further it is almost impossible to change behavior of a full-grown dog than a young puppy

Male dog or female one

*Selection of sex of your pet dog is extremely important because both male or female dog have different temperament

*When to choose a female dog

If you have young children in your family because it is relatively easy to discipline a female dog than a male.

If you do not have sufficient experience.

But be aware

Female will come to heat in breeding season and if you do not pay sufficient attention and take measure it may get pregnant with crossing another dog. It is not uncommon for the new pet owners to notice giving birth suddenly when you have no idea about how it happened. The situation beyond this need not be elaborated further.

When to select a male

*When you can give sufficient time to your pet because association between a male dog with owner is more intense.

*You need your dog to be aggressive because male dog is more aggressive than the female of the same breed.

How many dogs

Though most of the pet owner prefer one dog to be owned , it is beneficial to have two dogs if one can afford.It is especially beneficial when you cannot spare enough time with your dog because some time a single dog may get bored in families where most family members are working out(example-working couple).

But while considering tow dogs keep in mind the following facts

*It is best to have two female dogs as both will leave together with little quarrel

*Never keep two male dogs especially if both are aggressive.

Which breed to select

Before selecting the breed try to gather some knowledge on some most popular dog breed

Select such breed which suits most to your home in every way.

Look for some opportunity for visiting any dog show  where you can see all shots of breed  together

If you choose to select for business purpose than select those breed that have demand among people in your area

From where to buy

Kennel clubs in India are the governing bodies for all pedigree-dog business and deals with all aspect of breed recording and registration. You may contact the secretaries of your local kennel club regarding availability of puppies for sale.

*You may buy a puppy from your friends or neighbor. In all case you must visit the bitch. Select the puppy from her litter and then bring to your home. It is a good idea to take assistance of a friend having more knowledge than you.

How to choose

*Never take your kids with you while visiting a place for purchasing a puppy because they may select smallest, shyest and weakest pup because they look most appealing to the children

*Choose a puppy that comes first to you.

* Never buy a puppy from any dealer.

What to look for while buying

*Look nostrils and ear for any discharge. It should be healthy and alert

*Examine the skin. It should be free from Soreness, redness around belly/thigh. There should be no external parasite like ticks/ mites

*If you buy a purebred dog always obtain a copy of its pedigree. If the puppy has been registered with kennel club ask for a certificate for transfer ownership to your name

* Ask about vaccination certificate. Check what vaccinations /deworming still have to be done and what are due dates.

* Ask your veterinarian for any advice you need

FINAL COMMENT.

         Remember it is a long-term investment. Choose your dog sensible and earn a lot of love, affections and loyalty from your pet.