標題: Picking out the perfect puppy [打印本頁] 作者: tiffiant 時間: 2011-6-25 19:40 標題: Picking out the perfect puppy
Picking out the perfect puppy
Before you ask the price of that doggie in the window, do your research. Each breed has a different personality, and not all breeders are equally reputable
Picking out the perfect puppy isn't as easy as it looks.
Just ask University of B.C. psychologist Stanley Coren, a dog trainer and author of several popular books on dogs, including Why We Love The Dogs We Do.
Bringing home a dog should never be done on impulse, Coren said, given that you could be spending the next decade or so with your choice.
That didn't stop thousands of people, anxious for their children to have their own Pongo, from rushing to get their own Dalmatians after the movie 101 Dalmatians was released. The problem with that?
"Dalmatians are inappropriate for kids," Coren said. "They were designed as a carriage dog to run beside the carriages. This dog is basically guarding. He'd be snapping at the kids' friends."
In order to know that, you'd have to do research before you buy. Knowing what breed is best suited to you or your family is just one step in the process of buying a dog. Potential owners must also know if they want a purebred or a mutt, where to buy their dog, and what to expect from breeders.
PUREBRED OR MUTT?
Coren recently welcomed a third dog to his home, a 12-week-old King Cavalier spaniel puppy named Ripley, as in Ripley's Believe it or Not.
"My wife came up with the name Ripley, saying 'I can't believe I'm letting my husband have another dog.'"
Coren's other dogs are 14-year-old Dancer, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, and eight-year-old Darby, a beagle.
Although all of his dogs are purebreds, Coren's also had mixed breeds in the past and offers this bit of advice for anyone considering a mutt: the dog will act like the breed it resembles most. So if the dog is a poodle beagle cross and looks like a poodle, in all likelihood it will act like a poodle.
"The most important thing to know is what is their genetic heritage," said Coren.
This way, he said, you can have some assurances about how the dog will behave.
"The value of a purebred is that you can predict not only what a dog will look like, but its temperament and behaviour as well."
In his book Why We Love The Dogs We Do, Coren points out there are differences between "purebred people" and "mutt people."
"In the past, purebred dogs were an issue of status. Today, I would judge people who get purebreds as individuals who like to plan their lives and think ahead."
He said "mutt people," on the other hand, tend to adopt dogs from shelters and like the idea of "saving a life." These warm and empathetic folks are also more accepting of imperfections since they can't predict with 100-per-cent accuracy what their mixed-breed dog will be like.
FINDING A BREEDER
For those opting for a purebred, the next hurdle is finding a reputable breeder, which in the digital era isn't as difficult as it used to be.
Every breed has a club representing it, either at the national or provincial level. Prospective owners should contact the club, and ask whether any of the members have puppies on the way.
"People who are involved in these clubs love their breed so they'll know all about the breeders you can trust," Coren said. "The issue isn't getting them to talk. The issue is to get them to stop talking."
Organizations like the Westminster Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club are great places to turn to for research and support. The Canadian Kennel Club, for example, recognizes 204 breeds of dog, which means the breeds can be registered with their club and participate in their events.作者: tiffiant 時間: 2011-6-25 19:42
The Westminster Kennel Club, based out of New York, offers this advice on responsible breeders:
"Responsible breeders produce puppies with the goal of improving the health and physical traits of that breed. To accomplish that, responsible breeders continuously study their pedigrees and breeding stock, do health checks on all of their dogs involved, properly raise and socialize their puppies, and stand behind their puppies. Responsible breeders are proud of their dogs and participate in activities and organizations that further their knowledge of their breed and their dogs."
The cost of purebreds varies widely, but Coren said generally they are cheaper than socalled "designer dogs" sold by inexperienced, backyard breeders. For example, he said, a "labradoodle" generally costs about $800 more than what you would pay for either a Labrador or a poodle. The latter two sporting dogs would generally cost between $1,000 and $1,500 from a responsible breeder who is a member of the nationally recognized Canadian Kennel Club.
Coren also suggested buyers specify whether they're looking for a show dog or a pet. Buying a "pet stock" dog can bring the price down by a few hundred dollars.
People who want to show their dog will often pay high dollars for the privilege of doing so.
Coren noted comedian Bill Cosby once paid $30,000 for a fox terrier that had a "reasonable chance of competing" well in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
ASK FOR PAPERWORK
B.C. dog breeder Gloria Bushell, who breeds American cocker spaniels in Salmon Arm and is a member of the Canadian Kennel Club, said the public should be wary of anyone advertising a dog as a purebred without papers to back it up.
Generally known as "backyard breeders", these people routinely advertise on free Internet websites like Craigslist offering a dog that might not be a purebred or, if it is, could be of a lower quality.
"Reputable breeders want their puppies papered because they are proud of their puppies and want them to carry their kennel name. Canadian Kennel Club rules state that all purebred puppies must be registered," she said, adding every registered purebred puppy must also be permanently identified with either a microchip or a tattoo.
"I have had puppies that I have sold that, while on holidays in a different country, get away on their owners and [are] picked up by animal control, who checks for a microchip and contacts me to let me know they have a puppy of my breeding in their care," she said.
A reputable breeder takes responsibility for every puppy it produces for the life of that dog.
"That means that they will offer their knowledge and experience to the new owner for the life of the puppy and take back that puppy or adult at any time should the new owner be unable or unwilling to care for the dog," said Bushell.
She also suggested potential owners ask breeders to provide copies of certification to prove pre-breeding health screens have been done on the dam and sire, particularly for their hips and eyes.
You know you have a good breeder when they, too, are asking questions of you.
As Bushell noted, "reputable breeders really care for each and every puppy, so will be wanting to learn about the puppy purchaser. Is there a fenced yard? What is the home life? Will the puppy be left alone all day while everyone is off to work and school? Who will be in charge of feeding and walking the puppy? What are you intending on feeding the puppy/dog? Who is going to do the grooming?"
The result of all the research pays off down the road, potentially eliminating years of disappointment, high vet bills or, in the worst case, having to surrender a cute dog that just doesn't work for your family.
Thursday: The dangers of buying a dog on the Internet
Friday: Rescue dogs
Saturday: Pet oddities
Online: More online, including photo galleries and videos, at vancouversun.com/pets.
Plus, read Kim Pemberton's Puppy Love blog at vancouver sun.com/puppylove. In addition to working as a reporter, Pemberton also volunteers with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society and blogs about dogs.
BE PREPARED: KNOW WHAT TO ASK A BREEDER BEFORE YOU BUY作者: tiffiant 時間: 2011-6-25 19:42
According to the 2011 Dogs Annual in Canada, here are the most important questions to ask a breeder:
1. How long have you been breeding dogs? The more experience and involvement in breed clubs, shows and competitions, the better.
2. Will the puppies be registered? The certificate indicates the dog's registered name, breed and date of birth, as well as the names of the dog's sire and dam. It's the breeder's responsibility to forward the certificate within six months of the sale to the new owner; they are not allowed to charge an additional fee for this service.
3. Can you see the sire's and dam's veterinarian's certificates attesting to their good health?
4. Can I see where the puppies are being housed? The best way to raise a puppy is in a home environment so it will gets lots of handling and human contact. "No amount of love and attention from you can ever make up for a lack of early socialization," according to the annual.
5. What were your goals for this litter? A good breeder has clear goals when selecting the sire and dam. Know whether you want a puppy that's a show prospect, hunting companion or house pet.
6. Is the dam current on her vaccines? If the vaccines are not up to date, the puppies' ability to resist disease will be compromised.
7. At what age will the puppies be ready to move? Puppies should go to their new homes when they're between seven and nine weeks old, which is the optimum time to transition from litter to new family. "Any earlier and he may have issues with other dogs in the future; any longer with his littermates and he may not bond as well with people," states the manual.
8. Have the puppies been seen by a vet? Puppies need to be dewormed and vaccinated before leaving the breeder. Then, follow up with your own veterinarian so the puppy gets his boosters at appropriate intervals and the risk of him contracting a life-threatening illness is lessened.
9. What kind of guarantee does the breeder offer? Good breeders offer a health guarantee on their puppies.
10. Get references.
Kim Pemberton, Vancouver Sun
HOW SMART IS YOUR DOG?
Dog expert Stanley Coren sent questionnaires to all dog obedience judges in North America, asking them to rate each breed on several aspects of intelligence. Published in his book The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions, this list ranks dogs for obedience and working intelligence:
1. Border collie
2. Poodle
3. German shepherd
4. Golden retriever
5. Doberman pinscher
6. Shetland sheepdog
7. Labrador retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottweiler
10. Australian cattle dog
11. Pembroke Welsh corgi
12. Miniature schnauzer
13. English springer spaniel
14. Belgian Tervuren
15. Schipperke Belgian sheepdog
16. Collie Keeshond
17. German short-haired pointer
18. Flat-coated retriever, English cocker spaniel, Standard schnauzer
19. Brittany spaniel
20. Cocker spaniel, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever
21. Weimaraner
22. Belgian Malinois, Bernese mountain dog
23. Pomeranian
24. Irish water spaniel
25. Vizsla
26. Cardigan Welsh corgi
27. Chesapeake Bay retriever, Puli, Yorkshire terrier
Dog expert and author Stanley Coren with Ripley, his new Cavalier King Charles spaniel
VANCOUVER, BC: MAY 5, 2011 — Dog expert and author Professor Stanley Coren with his 16-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Ripley Thursday, May 5, 2011 in Vancouver, B.C. (Ian Lindsay/ PNG) (Sun story by Kim Pemberton) [PNG Merlin Archive]
The demand for Portuguese water dog puppies grew after U.S. President Barack Obama adopted one.
