There are many factors to consider before you acquire a dog and even more things to consider once you take on the responsibility of owning a dog. Remember, once you bring a dog into your home you will be responsible for providing it with food, shelter, medical care, exercise and most importantly lots and lots of love. Following are things to consider when looking for a dog, planning ahead for emergencies and tips when traveling with your dog. Check back often as Elaine will be adding more information in the future.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

More time is spent picking out the family car than picking out a dog that will fit into your life-style. Then, when the fit is wrong, the responsibility is put on rescue clubs, shelter, or worse, dumped on the street. A dog is YOUR commitment, YOUR responsibility for the next 10+ years.

• Things to think about before adding a dog to your family:

• What kind of household do you have? Is it active or quiet?
  
• Do you live in a household with a fenced in yard or an apartment or condo?
  
• Are you a jogger or couch potato?

• Does your job require you to travel or spend long hours at the office?

• Do you have children? What are the ages of your children? Don’t get a dog to teach your child responsibility. That’s your job.

• How much time to you have for everyday grooming?

• Some dogs shed and leave “fur balls” everywhere.

• Maybe an older dog would be better suited for your life style.

• Do you have the time to teach a dog how to be a well-mannered member of your family? Teaching your dog to behave takes time.

The American Kennel Club( www.akc.org) can provide you with breed information and even help you to determine which is the right breed for you.

Who knows what lurks in the shadows?

PUPPY MILLS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

No matter what anyone tells you – REPUTABLE BREEDERS WILL ONLY SELL THEIR DOGS DIRECTLY TO YOU. A REPUTABLE BREEDER WANTS TO KNOW ALL ABOUT THE FAMILY THEIR DOG WILL BE A MEMBER OF.

Don’t let anyone tell you “they know the breeders the puppies come from”.

If someone tells you they “don’t have the exact puppy you’re looking for, but know of a breeder that just happens to have a litter that has the perfect puppy”. RUN!

Don’t be fooled by “breeders” that register a litter of puppies with some unfamiliar, unknown Kennel Club. Most of these Kennel Clubs have been made up because the breeder has lost their registration privileges with American Kennel Club.

A reputable breeder will:

• Provide you with information on the mother and father of the litter. They will give you medical records showing the parents have been tested for genetic problems the breed is prone to. This might include hip dysphasia, heart disease, eye problems, thyroid disease, etc.
  
• Breed a dog is to improve the line. They will breed only dogs that meet the breed standard. They don’t breed for the money. A good breeder is lucky if they break even.

• Will be a member of the breed club and shows their dog in competition.

• Show you their dogs in a clean environment. You should be able to see the mother and sometimes the father.

• Sometimes choose the right personality of the puppy for your family and explain to you how the dog was evaluated.

• Tell you the good things about the breed but also tell you any negative things about the breed.

• Have grooming equipment on site and offer you suggestions of what you may need and how to use it.

• Be there after you take home the dog. They will help you through any behavior or health issues that might occur. If you find this was not the right decision, a breeder will take the dog back.

• Will usually require you to spay/neuter your dog if it is considered to be “pet quality”.

Puppies that come from puppy mills have health problems as well as behavior problems. You may end up spending a lot of money on vet bills and worse, end up with a broken heart.

Don’t think that you are rescuing a puppy from a bad environment. What you are doing is making space for another puppy to take its place. If you suspect that you are dealing with a puppy mill or a breeder who is raising and housing dogs and puppies in an unsafe, filthy environment, leave and notify the authorities. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. Become part of the solution, not part of the problem.

To learn more about Puppy Mills go to www.PrisonersforProfit.com or www.prisonersofgreed.org or The Humane Society of the United States www.hsus.org or search Puppy Mills.

The INTERNATIONAL KENNEL CLUB in Chicago (312-237-5100) can give you information on breed clubs that will help you find a reputable breeder.

Don’t forget about adopting a dog from a breed rescue club. They have wonderful dogs that are looking for homes. They are a great source of information about specific breeds and have dogs of all ages looking for good homes. Many rescue clubs temporarily have dogs living in foster homes. Foster “moms and dads” can give you all the information about that specific dog. They can tell you if the dog gets along with other pets. They know if the dog is active and high energy or wants to spend the day lounging. They know if the dog is happy with a house full of kids or would rather live in a quieter environment.

Don’t forget about mixed breeds. They can be the best of everything all wrapped up in one little fur ball.

Look to shelters local animal control and rescue clubs. Not all shelters are looking out for the best interest of the animals. Some are more interested in making money. Make sure the shelter is clean and well maintained. Ask where the dogs have come from. Be sure the shelter is helping find homes for unwanted pets and they are not acting as a puppy broker.

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