| Acquiring a pet dog should be done with as much | | | | breed, not for profit. The only reason to breed a |
| thought and research as adopting a child. The | | | | dog is if the genes and temperament are so |
| effects of getting the wrong dog can be | | | | spectacular that they will improve the breed if |
| devastating to both the dog and the owner. For | | | | reproduced. The dogs in such a litter are carefully |
| example, a Malamute left in a small duplex all day | | | | placed in good homes. Often, reputable breeders |
| quickly disemboweled the sofa, chairs, and | | | | have waiting lists. Expect to be interrogated |
| cushions in the living room. This did not endear him | | | | before being placed on the list for such a dog. |
| to his owners. He was dumped at a shelter and | | | | Breeders can be found through the American |
| ultimately euthanized. | | | | Kennel Club website or your veterinarian. |
| Start with your lifestyle. Do you live in a tiny | | | | Shelters take in dogs that are found loose in the |
| apartment in the city? Chose a small dog or one | | | | streets or are surrendered by their owners. |
| that is low energy. If you live in the country, a | | | | Shelters do the best they can to temperament |
| small dog is likely to become a snack for a | | | | test the dogs and treat health problems, then |
| passing hawk, owl, or coyote. Someone who likes | | | | adopt the dogs out to good homes. Shelters are |
| to jog should choose a medium breed that is | | | | not usually as rigorous in their screening of |
| athletic and can keep up the pace. Dogs bred to | | | | prospective homes as breeders, but do expect to |
| herd tend to nip at the heels of children playing, | | | | be screened. Do not go to a shelter without a |
| trying to keep them in a tight bunch in the center | | | | good idea of the size and type of dog you want, |
| of the room. The American Kennel Club has | | | | or you will end up bringing home the one that |
| information on choosing a breed that fits your | | | | looks the most lost. The SPCA of Texas and |
| lifestyle. They are, naturally, biased toward pure | | | | Dallas Animal Services are the biggest shelters in |
| bred dogs, but the information still gives you a | | | | the area. |
| place to start. | | | | Rescue groups take dogs out of shelters, see to |
| Do not purchase a dog from a pet store. No | | | | their medical needs, do some basic house |
| reputable breeder will sell a dog through a pet | | | | manners training, then find the dogs a good home. |
| store, no matter what the salespeople tell you. | | | | Most rescue groups are breed specific, although |
| Dogs in pet stores come from puppy mills, places | | | | some people rescue mixed breeds. The American |
| that breed dogs like cattle. The puppies are poorly | | | | Kennel Club website gives the names of the |
| socialized, rarely have the proper shots and | | | | national contacts for each breed rescue group. |
| worming, and are usually full of health problems. | | | | The national contact can then direct you to the |
| Even if the dog survives to adulthood, it usually | | | | local contact person. Expect to be rigorously |
| has genetically caused health problems that will | | | | screened and to pay a fee for the dog, which |
| shorten its lifespan and are very costly to treat. | | | | helps pay for the veterinary care such as shots, |
| Reputable breeders breed only to improve the | | | | worming, and spay or neuter. |