| This article will help you decide if a big dog is right | | | | so, too, can a small puppy grow into a one |
| for you. | | | | hundred pound adult! So, before bringing home |
| Okay, so you're absolutely, positively certain that | | | | your new little bundle of joy, please make sure to |
| you're ready to adopt a dog. | | | | ask about his expected poundage when he's |
| That's terrific! | | | | full-grown. This way, you will not be surprised |
| But your decisions are not over. | | | | when his little puppy paws grow into big dog feet |
| Now, you must decide what kind of dog is right | | | | - and his body follows suit! |
| for you. Of course, there are many different | | | | * Do not plan to crate a large dog. It's not a good |
| breeds to choose from, but hopefully you will be | | | | idea to ever, ever crate/kennel a large dog. If |
| saving a life by adopting your dog from a shelter | | | | you will be away from home for several hours at |
| or rescue organization. Although shelters often do | | | | a time and need to confine your big dog, then it is |
| have purebred dogs, most will be mixed-breeds, | | | | fine to gate him off in a family room or kitchen. |
| which, if you ask me, are the best kind. Mixed | | | | Crating a large dog will prevent him from getting |
| breeds are sweet, lovable animals, and since they | | | | up and walking around during the day, which he |
| have not been abusively inbred, they often have | | | | absolutely needs to do. This sort of confinement |
| far fewer temperament and health problems than | | | | will actually drive the dog stir crazy, and will even |
| purebred dogs. This is great news! You don't have | | | | change his personality. So, unless you are able to |
| to get hung up on which "breed" to get. | | | | give your big dog the run of your house or |
| But one question you should answer before | | | | apartment, or have the ability to gate him in a |
| making that trip to the shelter is, "Do I want a | | | | large room, you should not get a big dog. You will |
| small dog or a big dog?" | | | | be better off choosing a smaller dog. |
| Now, again, small dogs are much easier for | | | | * Be prudent with big dogs around babies and |
| shelters to adopt, and as mom to a BBD (Big | | | | small toddlers. This is especially true when the dog |
| Black Dog), I of course have a soft spot for big | | | | is in the larger puppy stage. This has nothing to |
| dogs. But I also had a poodle for nearly 17 years | | | | do with a fear that your dog will become |
| when I was growing up, so I also know that little | | | | aggressive. It is purely because big dogs |
| dogs are great, too. Deciding between big and little | | | | (especially when they're still puppies) can be very |
| is a no-lose situation. It's just a matter of picking | | | | playful, and they don't necessarily know they're |
| the best fit for you. | | | | own strength. This is just a common sense |
| To help you make the decision, consider the | | | | precaution for anyone with a baby or small |
| following regarding big dog adoption: | | | | toddler who is considering bringing a big dog into |
| * It's not true that big dogs need big yards. This | | | | their family. |
| is a complete myth. If you give your dog plenty | | | | * Take your lifestyle into consideration. This is |
| of exercise, such as taking him for nice, long | | | | really the most important factor when deciding |
| walks (which will be good for you, too!), then | | | | between a small dog and a big dog adoption. Are |
| there is absolutely no need for you to have a | | | | you the athletic type who might want to take |
| large yard - or a large home. These days, most | | | | your dog for a jog? Then a big dog is definitely |
| towns have dog parks, so if the two of you are | | | | for you. But if you're more the kind that prefers |
| in the mood for a game of catch or Frisbee, you | | | | your furry little bundle of joy curled up on your |
| can always go there. So, don't be discouraged | | | | lap while you read or watch a movie, then this |
| from a big dog adoption just because you don't | | | | could become rather inconvenient if Fido weighs |
| have a large yard (or any yard, for that matter). | | | | 75 pounds! |
| Even if you live in an apartment, your big dog will | | | | Hopefully, these tips have made your choice |
| adjust very well to his environment, just as long | | | | between a small dog and a big dog a little clearer. |
| as you give him plenty of exercise. | | | | Given that, no matter what you think you've |
| * Don't be fooled by his "puppy size". Remember, | | | | decided, it will probably go out the window when |
| even very big dogs start out in life as tiny | | | | you walk into the shelter and lock eyes with that |
| puppies. All too many times, shelters find | | | | one dog that seems to be crying out, "I am the |
| themselves taking back large dogs because the | | | | one". |
| people who adopted them claim they did not | | | | I know that is exactly how I found my 56-pound |
| know how big they would become. Well, just as a | | | | baby, Chase. And I could not be happier. |
| six-pound baby can grow into a six-foot tall man, | | | | |