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The Puggy Page
Pictures
Meet the Pug
Buying Puppies
Setting Up House
Training and Care
General Care
Nutrition
Pug Problems 1
Pug Problems 2
Pug Clubs
Breeding 1
Breeding 2
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Couples expecting a human baby can often be overheard saying, "I don't care what it is.... as long as it's healthy!" While the health of your new puppy should be of real concern to you, there are many other things you must take into consideration, such as temperament, trainability, size and sex. First, look at the breed of dog you've selected. What are its inherent breed characteristics? What has that dog been bred to do? Just as every dog has his day, every dog has his purpose! Some dogs live to dig, others pull or point. Some have been bred to retrieve, run or rescue. Some instincts, such as herding, are difficult to 'train' out of a dog. Ask yourself, "Are these characteristics I can live with?" How big is the puppy going to get? Think proportionately of the type of car you drive, the size of your home and yard, the size of you bank account (big dogs do eat more). And think of yourself. Are you physically big enough to control a Great Dane or Rottweiler? Next, consider coat type. Some breeds require regular professional grooming while others look perfect with little effort. How much time and money do you want to invest? Still certain you've made the best breed choice? We're not done yet! Do you want a male or a female dog? In some breeds there are marked differences in size, temperament, and trainability. As a general rule, male dogs are more inclined to be aggressive while females are easier to train. If you're an avid gardener, consider that a female dog's urine is very acidic and will spot your lawn. Males, on the other hand, may cock their leg on your evergreens, causing the bottom branches to go black. If you have the patience and perseverance to train your dog to relieve itself in a special area, this shouldn't be a problem either way. Should you buy a show or pet quality puppy? Basically, a show quality pup is one that best represents the conformation standard set for its particular breed and one that shows the best potential as future breeding stock. it will likely cost a little more. Some pet quality puppies are noticeably 'flawed' to the experienced eye but perfectly fine to the average person - an ear that droops when it should be erect, mismarks in the coat, too much or too little hair, or too large or too small. None of these 'faulty' characteristics will affect a pup's ability to love or be loved, or to excel in Obedience. It goes without saying that you should look for a pup that is bright and alert; with clean eyes, ears and anus. It should not be too fat (pot-bellied) nor too thin. It should be inquisitive, but probably not overly aggressive. Many breeders will have their pups temperament-tested and they'll be able to tell you which dog is the 'alpha' or dominant dog in the litter, and which one is low man on the totem pole. If you know someone experienced in,dog behaviour, it's a good idea to take them along to help you select your pup. Now, take the focus off the dog and take a good long look at yourself. What about your personality. If you're shy, timid type, picking the most aggressive dog in the litter will be a mistake. You'd do better with a dog that was kind of middle-of-the-road - not too shy, but not too opinionated. What about the rest of the family? Who will be the major care-giver? What role will the children play in caring for the new arrival? Who will be training the dog? These are all questions that should be answered before you visit breeders and fall for the first pair of soft brown eyes that meet yours. When you select your new puppy don't settle for "just a healthy one." If you want a happy, life-long relationship with the wriggling ball of fur you'll have to settle for a whole more! |