Breeds
Choosing the Right Breed
Why does one breed appeal to a person over another? Why do some of us love the size, looks and temperament of a Saint Bernard and others would never own anything but a Toy Poodle?
Every breed has their pros and cons. As a prospective puppy buyer/dog owner, you must be aware of the traits, both good and bad, of the breed you are considering. Many pet owners own the breed they do because of an impulse buy. Sometimes this works out fine and other times they find out, too late, that this is not such a wonderful breed (for them) after all.
Each breed was developed with a definite purpose in mind. Each breed (or most anyway) have breed specific health and or temperament problems of which you should be aware. Some breeds have coats that need hours of grooming to keep the dog in good shape. Some breeds shed more than others. Some breeds are very active and hyper while others are quiet and sedentary.
Buying a puppy, or adopting an older dog is like adopting a child. It's a commitment, or certainly should be, of yourself to this animal until the day it dies. All dogs should be treated as a cherished member of the family. If only one member of the family wants the dog and the others are against it, you should probably wait until everyone is in agreement for both the dog's welfare and your own peace of mind.
Also be sure that you have enough time to properly care for, train and spend time with a dog. If you live alone and work 12 hours a day, you probably shouldn't think of owning a dog at this time. Puppies especially, require a lot of time and care. A puppy alone all day isn't going to be a happy puppy. An unhappy puppy is going to get into trouble. And a troublesome puppy is usually discarded. Not good.
