| Dogs make housekeeping a more difficult task. | | | | sheet that you periodically wash. |
| How important is it to you to have an immaculate | | | | Most dogs shed hair. Longer coated dogs need |
| home? Dogs track dirt inside sometimes. Their | | | | more grooming, even professional grooming in |
| coats pick up whatever the encounter outside. | | | | some cases, to keep their coats healthy. The |
| Basically, some dogs just enjoy getting dirty. You | | | | Bichon Frise looks best with daily brushing; other |
| might be able to teach your kids to put their toys | | | | breeds only need to their coats brushed once or |
| away, but dogs enjoy spreading their possessions | | | | twice a week. The Smooth Fox Terrier sheds |
| throughout your house. It's best to start with a | | | | only seasonally, but it is a spiky type hair that |
| cheerful, flexible attitude about housekeeping, | | | | readily sticks to upholstery, carpet, etc. There are |
| perhaps even lowering your standards a bit, so | | | | some dogs with coats that are "wash and wear" |
| you do not become frustrated when your house | | | | and require only occasional brushing. Understanding |
| is not "model home" perfect anymore. The | | | | how much grooming is required, and how much |
| benefits of dog ownership certainly outweigh | | | | you are willing to do, are considerations in deciding |
| these little inconveniences. | | | | which breed is right for you. It may be a trade |
| Then there's housebreaking a dog. Accidents | | | | off. Poodles, for example, don't shed but they |
| happen. How much do you value that pristine | | | | require professional grooming on a regular basis. |
| carpet? And puppies love to chew. Adult dogs do, | | | | People who are used to having an immaculate |
| too-and it might be your shoes that taste best. | | | | home should probably not bring home a dog with |
| Dogs can be destructive to a garden or lawn, not | | | | a coat that sheds heavily; they will most likely |
| because they are being bad but they were bred | | | | become frustrated with the amount of additional |
| to dig or tunnel for vermin. The Dachshund, for | | | | cleaning that will be required, on the sofas, the car |
| example, was originally bred to go after badgers | | | | upholstery. Some breeds are double-coated and |
| in their holes. | | | | long haired, and shed significant amounts of fur, |
| There are ways to minimize the housekeeping | | | | the Australian Shepherd for example. Labrador |
| problems. Train your dog to stay off the nicest | | | | Retrievers have short coats, but they shed their |
| furniture that is most susceptible to becoming | | | | short, spiky hair all year round. Irish Setters, on |
| covered with dog hair. Encourage him to sit or | | | | the other hand are single coated and shed very |
| sleep on one chair-and cover that one with a | | | | little. |