| There are an estimated 74.8 million pet dogs in | | | | rescue a dog there may not be purebred dogs of |
| the United States and many more around the | | | | certain breeds in animal shelters but there are |
| world. Dog ownership is at an all-time high today. | | | | often purebreds with purebred rescue groups. |
| At no time in history have so many people | | | | Greyhounds, for instance, have a very active |
| shared their lives with dogs as companions. | | | | rescue network. You could get the Greyhound |
| People today also have many choices when it | | | | that you always wanted and rescue a dog at the |
| comes to what kind of dog they will choose as a | | | | same time. You can find information about |
| pet. There are over 400 recognized breeds of | | | | purebred breed rescue organizations online. |
| dog in the world. They range from the tiny | | | | If you choose to get a purebred puppy or dog |
| Chihuahua which originated in Mexico to the wide | | | | from a breeder make sure that you choose a |
| range of ancient breeds that came from | | | | reputable breeder. Reputable breeders do health |
| southeast Asia, such as the Akita, the Chow | | | | screening on their dogs to make sure that they |
| Chow, the Pug, the Pekingese and the Tibetan | | | | are good candidates for breeding. For many |
| breeds. They include the old spitz-type breeds | | | | breeds this means that their hips are x-rayed for |
| such as the Malamute, the Siberian Husky and | | | | hip dysplasia. For some breeds their eyes may be |
| others; and the very old breeds of the middle | | | | checked and they receive a CERF certificate. |
| east, such as the Saluki, the Afghan Hound, the | | | | Other breeds may have their hearing checked by |
| Pharoah Hound, and the Greyhound. | | | | BAER testing. The list goes on. Breeders in each |
| In addition to all of the breeds of dogs in the | | | | breed take different precautions to make sure |
| world there are numerous Designer dogs being | | | | their dogs are healthy. You should do some |
| bred these dogs. Designer Dogs are intentional | | | | homework about the breed so you know the |
| crosses of two purebred dogs. They may be | | | | potential health problems. That way you will know |
| bred for a special reason, such as to try to | | | | what to ask the breeder and what health testing |
| produce a low-shedding coat or more intelligence | | | | should have been done. |
| or trainability, or some other aspect of one of the | | | | Good breeders are willing to stand by the puppies |
| parents. Or, in some cases, they are bred simply | | | | and dogs they place. They should be willing to |
| because they may produce cute puppies. Designer | | | | guarantee a puppy or dog's genetic health. No dog |
| dogs have been in high demand in the last several | | | | will remain healthy forever. Dogs, like people, must |
| years and can command enormous prices. | | | | all eventually die. But good breeders will make |
| Besides these intentionally-bred dogs there are | | | | guarantees about the possible genetic problems in |
| several million dogs in animal shelters each year | | | | their breed and what they will do in the event |
| looking for homes. Some of these dogs are | | | | that a dog of their breeding develops a problem. |
| strays, some are puppies from unplanned litters, | | | | Will they replace a puppy? Will they refund |
| and some are stray puppies and dogs imported | | | | money? Will they help pay costs to correct the |
| from countries outside the United States for | | | | problem? All of these things should be spelled out |
| adoption here. Some of the dogs are young dogs | | | | in the contract you have with a good breeder. |
| that have been adopted once and returned | | | | Buying from a good breeder is, however, a |
| because their owners didn't know how to handle | | | | two-way street. The breeder will also expect |
| adolescent dog behavior. | | | | many things of you regarding the proper care of |
| All of this means that you have a huge range of | | | | "their" puppy. Don't be surprised when they put |
| choices when it comes to trying to decide what | | | | you through a gamut of questions about your |
| kind of dog you want. How do you even begin to | | | | fitness to own one of their dogs. |
| narrow your choices? | | | | Adopting a dog from an animal shelter is often |
| The best thing to do when you consider what | | | | not as easy as it once was. Whereas you could |
| kind of dog to get is to consider your essential | | | | once walk into a shelter, point to a dog and take |
| needs. Do you have allergies? Do you hate dog | | | | it home, in many shelters things are a little more |
| hair in the house? Do you want a dog that can go | | | | complicated nowadays. Some shelters require a |
| jogging with you? Do you live a quiet lifestyle? Do | | | | lot more information about people adopting dogs |
| you live in an apartment or do you have land in | | | | now. Dogs (and cats) are often evaluated for |
| the country? Do you have kids? Do you have | | | | temperament. Shelters try to match people with |
| time to spend on grooming a dog or will the dog | | | | dogs that have temperaments that will suit people |
| go to a groomer? Do you want a low | | | | interested in adopting them. They hope that this |
| maintenance dog or do you enjoy fussing over a | | | | will cut down on the number of dogs that are |
| coat and grooming? Do you intend to train your | | | | returned to the shelter. Fees for adopting dogs |
| dog to learn more than housetraining? | | | | are also higher than they once were since |
| When you consider these questions and others | | | | shelters try to cover the cost of shots and |
| like them you should try to be completely honest | | | | spaying/neutering. The costs of adopting dogs |
| with yourself. You want to get a dog that will be | | | | through rescue groups are usually even higher. |
| a good fit for you personally. It's a bad idea to | | | | Rescue groups justify these costs by saying that |
| get a dog because it's the popular thing to do. | | | | they may not spend a lot of money on one |
| Don't adopt a shelter dog if you have allergies. | | | | particular dog but they may have a case where a |
| Chances are that you will be allergic to the poor | | | | dog has heartworms and they have to spend a |
| dog and have to return him. Instead you will need | | | | lot of money on that one dog. So, they spread |
| to identify the breeds of dogs that are usually | | | | the costs to everyone who adopts. |
| better for allergy-sufferers. Even then you will | | | | There are countless wonderful dogs available, |
| need to meet some dogs on a one-on-one basis | | | | whichever route you decide to take. You can get |
| to see how you react to them. | | | | a great dog at your local animal shelter or you |
| Don't let yourself be pressured into getting a dog | | | | may find your dream dog by searching for a |
| that you don't want. If you have always wanted | | | | reputable breeder. The important thing to |
| a Greyhound don't let somebody talk you into | | | | remember is to identify the key points about |
| taking a Beagle-mix because the dog needs a | | | | your own lifestyle that you will be sharing with |
| home. There will always be dogs that need | | | | your dog. Focus on finding a dog that fits the way |
| homes and you cannot save all of them. Chances | | | | you live. Do what's best for you and you will find |
| are that you won't be happy with a dog that you | | | | the right canine companion. |
| didn't truly want. If you feel that you want to | | | | |