Man has bred different breed strains of dogs with certain needed instincts and/or abilities as well as well as desired characteristics. This practice has gone on for thousands of years.

When you breed purebred dogs, they’re true to type and offspring have predictable instincts and appearance and are milder in their temperament. There are lots of great benefits when you own a purebred dog.

Purebred dogs are the result of many years of highly selective breeding. All breeds of dogs have a particular purpose and you can ask for the paperwork that clearly explains their heritage and history. When purchasing a purebred dog, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting in terms of characteristics, size, temperament and appearance.

When you think about buying a purebred dog, you need think about what you want in a dog. Then you reduce your options to those that obviously match your interests and lifestyle. For example, is the dog good with children? Will you have enough time to exercise him regularly, groom him and keep him clean?

Reliable breeders can offer you answers to your questions and also share their knowledge and experiences. This gives you background on the dog and further information about his characteristics. It’s wise to make your purchase from a registered, reputable breeder. You’ll be given his history and you should be able to see one or both parents and/or other members of his family.

Breeders have the experience needed to look after puppies and provide sufficient nurturing and care in the early stages of his life. Do it all properly and your puppy will remain healthy and it reduces the possibility of him becoming a nuisance as an adult.

Breeders will teach you how to train your dog, how to feed him and how to care for his overall good health. As your puppy grows, you can ring the breeder if you need more advice. The more support you have, the easier it makes life for you and your new little bundle of furry joy to have a good life together.

If you own a registered dog who’s a purebred, you can get involved in various organised activities and events. This gives you and your dog some social interaction with other people who obviously share similar interests. Your dog may make new friends as well.

Registered dog breeders are strictly bound by a Code of Practice and Ethics that covers everything to do with ownership of dogs and the responsibilities of breeders.

Before you buy your next dog, you should be aware of these common myths.

Breeders of purebred dogs invest loads of time and money to guarantee the dog is healthy. Meticulous records are kept that contain relevant information regarding each dog’s pedigree. Lots of breeders use artificial insemination from dogs that are purebred to guarantee that  blood lines remain varied and strong.

Are purebreds more even-tempered?

Purebreds are predictable in many ways including having a quieter temperament.
A crossbred dog is unpredictable in many ways so you never know what you’ll get.
Reputable breeders have their dogs regularly checked by the vet to ensure no health problems are present. Breeders only use dogs with a mellow temperament when breeding dogs. Purebreds are as playful and loving as crossbreeds but it’s easier to find a purebred with a more predictable energy level that you can fit into your existing lifestyle without too many modifications.

Do purebred dogs have a healthier life?

Crossbreds can have a rollercoaster ride of medical problems and are more prone to inherited diseases. They cause a genetic lottery of unknown results. This means they can’t be screened for all health issues.
Vets carry out rigorous tests on purebred dogs and ensure that all dogs to be mated as purebreds have perfect health.

Are purebreds great pets?

Purebred dogs are selected to become the newest addition to your family. Breeders choose purebred dogs with the right characteristics to ensure the dogs are suited to a home-based lifestyle.

What sort of dog do you think of when hearing the word – “purebred?”

Is it a poodle with a big clip? Perhaps it’s a Hairless Chinese Crested Dog? These cute dogs are wonderful pets BUT are also show dogs. Other purebreds include: German Shepherds, Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers.

Are any purebred dogs non-allergenic?

No dogs are classified as “non-allergenic.” Dogs that don’t shed hair much rarely affect allergies as the dog is much less likely to leave his hair and/or saliva all around the house. Anyone can be allergic to one or more different things.

Cross bred puppies may or may not become low-shedding adult dogs but you can’t guarantee it because cross bred dogs don’t breed true. A litter of puppies that are crossbreds can consist of some shedders and other non-shedders. A litter from a recognised breed will have the exact same coat.

List of dogs that don’t shed often.

Below is a list, a beginning point, to use when studying breeds that won’t affect a person with allergies. However, the side effects of allergies can vary greatly so it’s best if you can spend some of your time with a breed that you’re thinking of buying BEFORE making the purchase. Then you’ll see if you can handle being around him. Do this as often as is necessary to eventually find the ideal dog for you.

Some of the low shedder breeds:
• Afghan Hound.
• Miniature Schnauzer.
• Irish Water Spaniel.
• Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodles.
• West Highland White Terrier.
• Yorkshire Terrier.
• Australian Silky Terrier.
• Irish Water Spaniel Bedlington Terrier.
• Bichon Frise.
• Cairn Terrier.
• Portuguese Water Dog.
• Schnauzer.
• Chinese Crested Dog.
• Giant Schnauzer.
• Airedale Terrier.
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
• Kerry Blue Terrier.
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
• Lagotto.

Even though these breeds don’t shed often, you must still groom them regularly. And brush out the knots. The continuously growing coats need to be clipped a couple of times each year.

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 Lots of people consider buying a puppy for Christmas for a range of reasons.
Puppies are fun to play with and give you and your family unconditional love. A puppy should never become part of your family on an impulse purchase. A puppy should not be confused with a toy or any other material possession. It’s not something to be enjoyed or used when you want to, and then set aside until you want to play with it again.

The holiday season is an incredibly hectic time of year. For the majority of people, this time of year is far too busy to even consider the extra responsibility of purchasing a new puppy. Acquiring the right puppy should never be carried out with haste, emotion, or impulse. It will require time to evaluate precisely the type of puppy ideal for your family situation. Further time will be required to talk to breeders in order to discover more about their dogs’ characteristics, temperaments, and health clearances. Puppy purchasers are often required to wait months for the ideal puppy. The selection process is vital, because adding a dog to your family is a long term commitment. One of the worst decisions you could make is to buy a puppy for Christmas simply because it’s cute and on offer at the time.

Buying a puppy is much more than a simple purchase. You need to commit time, money and a lot of planning into ensuring that your puppy is cared for in the best possible way and all his needs are met. Otherwise you may end up selling or giving him away because you simply can’t cope with all the demands he puts on you.

There are lots of ramifications to owning your very own puppy. While it may be a great idea, the novelty can soon wear off if you don’t plan properly. Here are the pros and cons of buying a puppy and all that entails (no pun intended.)

We’ll start with the many cons. Whether you love small dogs, big dogs, Pomeranians, Labradors, Chihuahuas, Poodles, Terriers, Great Danes or any of the many other breeds available, you have to remember that a puppy won’t always stay the size he is when you first introduce him to your family home.

They get BIGGER!!! Obviously some breeds get bigger than others but you need to consider whether you have the space to care for a full grown dog. Do you have a decent size back yard or do you live in a high rise block of apartments? Your puppy may not need lots of open space but the adult dog will so he can run around all day and wear himself out.

Puppies must be house trained. If you have expensive carpet in your home, you may want to think twice because accidents will happen, especially in the early weeks or even months. They don’t mean it, but unless you train them well, they’ll simply do it wherever they want to, until the training kicks in.

Puppies bark…some more than others. Some bark for no reason and others bark whenever there’s a noise or just for attention. If you have a baby, this may not be the best fit for your home right now. Having a baby and then getting a new puppy is a bit like having two babies but each has to be cared for differently.

You have to puppy-proof your home because puppies will chew on anything within their reach. Socks, shoes, newspaper, the mail, kids’ toys, carpets and rugs, cushions on the couch, pillows, bedding, underwear and even things around your Christmas tree. So everything needs to be kept permanently out of puppy’s reach except for the toys you have to keep buying him because he’ll destroy them all quickly.

Now it’s time to think of your budget because your puppy is going to put a big dent in it. You need to register your puppy, get him desexed, buy him food, bowls for food and water, learn about dog nutrition to ensure you’re buying the right foods and pay vet bills whenever he gets sick or has a problem that needs attention.

He needs bedding and a set up for him to sleep in. This could be an outside small dog house or it could be a crate. It depends on the breed and if he will mainly be an outside or inside dog when he gets bigger.

Your puppy will need regular grooming to ensure he stays clean. Usually you have to pay a professional to do it properly but you may wash him yourself to save money. Puppies love to dig holes. They’ll try digging under fences or wherever they smell something interesting. A puppy’s sense of smell is much greater than that of a human’s sense.

You and your family will need to give your puppy lots of attention because he’ll be full of energy. Play with him, take him for walks (on a leash) and generally shower him with affection because he’ll certainly shower you with unconditional love and affection all day long. That’s one of the biggest pros about having a puppy.

A puppy is a great companion for anybody, whether you have a family or live alone. It doesn’t take much to keep him occupied and he’ll be loyal for his entire life, unlike many human friends. You decide what breed you want to get but do your research.

If you love small dogs, a Pomeranian is a great pet. He’s intelligent, loving, friendly and obedient and you can even enter Pomeranians in competitions when they’re old enough and have had sufficient training.

Of course, there are other breeds that can also do the same thing. If you prefer big dogs, a Labrador is a very intelligent, loving pet. That’s one reason why they’re used as Seeing Eye dogs.

It can be easier to love a puppy than a child at times. They don’t talk back. They don’t need the “latest gadgets and clothes.” They’ll love you unconditionally and even if you scold them for something they did wrong, they have such short memories that it won’t matter. They’ll find all sorts of ways to make you laugh and feel good, even if you’re stressed or depressed.

The pros list may be shorter than the cons list but it’s just as powerful. It’s up to you whether you do buy a puppy for Christmas or not. But you must weigh up all the long term ramifications before making that final decision. Do as much research as possible. Talk to breeders of the breed you intend buying before you actually buy it. That’s the best way to get the full picture, not from some pet shop or sales person eager to sell you any pet they have. To avoid many of the problems encountered by new puppy owners do not impulsively purchase that cute puppy in the window of your local pet shop.

Purchase your puppy from a reputable registered dog breeder. Ideally a breeder who is also an active dog show exhibitor.

If you’re considering buying a puppy for Christmas, you must weigh up all the pros and cons listed above as well as doing your own research to ensure that your Christmas gift isn’t going to be returned because you can’t cope.

You owe it to yourself and to your new family member to make the best choice. There’s a huge difference between visiting someone who has a puppy and taking full responsibility for raising one yourself.

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Matching Your Dog and Your Lifestyle.

Do you know what sort of dog you want? The worst thing you can do is buy a puppy, get him settled into his new home, and then discover he really doesn’t suit you or your lifestyle so you’re forced to find another home for him.

This may be heartbreaking for you, your family and your puppy too, as he has probably become somewhat used to you and his new environment. Sadly, most puppies usually find their way into Animal Welfare facilities.

Do your homework thoroughly and view every possible outcome that may occur as a direct result of your choice to buy a puppy. Then you should be able to choose what will become a very integral part of your life and that of your family. The following factors must be analysed fully before you make that ultimate purchase.

Are you able to have your dog fully enclosed?

Check every inch of the space where you’ll keep your dog when you’re out or when he goes out for exercise. All fencing must be tightly secured. This includes the bottom of the fencing because some dogs can burrow their way under almost any type of fence. Check that he can’t jump over it, squeeze between the gate fittings or fence palings, or squeeze between any wires that are part of the fencing.

Can you give your dog enough exercise?

You need to spend quality time with your beloved dog and exercise is part of that time. Dogs vary as to the amount of exercise needed. If your dog wants a walk every day, that may motivate you to do the same. It’s great exercise physically and it can calm you mentally at the same time. Life doesn’t always go to plan, of course, but if your dog is kept cooped up a lot of the time, it’s grossly unfair of you to buy him in the first place.

Dog people will naturally talk to other dog people as they walk in public places. This can mean you’ll make more friends and feel as though this daily commitment is of great benefit to you as well as your four-legged friend.

Coat Care

Owning a dog isn’t just feeding and exercising him. It also means caring for his coat on a regular basis. The grooming process can help strengthen the bond between your beloved pet and you. There are numerous problems that can occur if you don’t do this regularly. Here are a few examples:

Your fluffy, cute puppy can turn into a real mess if he’s not groomed on a regular basis.
Breeds with short coats can moult and their hair seems to go everywhere including your carpet, furniture, clothes, and even your bed if he spends time in bed with you.

A professional dog groomer salon can be costly. Finding a reliable, caring groomer can be difficult to locate and harder to even get an appointment.
Professional groomers rarely try to comb the knots out of matted hair that’s quite long. They tend to cut the coat off right down to the skin. Once it starts growing back (like a carpet), it’s nearly impossible to comb. In between those times, you can either cover your pet in a rug similar to the ones used on horses, or leave his skin open to the weather and then he can get sunburnt in the hotter weather and wet and cold in the lower temperatures.

So it’s wise to choose a dog breed with a coat you know how to look after. Ensure you have plenty of time to learn how best to look after it. If your new pet is a cross-breed, it may be complete guesswork, trying to decide the type of coat he has. On the other hand, there’s copious amounts of information available regarding purebreds that you can learn.

Do you know your local laws?

If you reside in a city, it’s essential to check the local laws governing dogs and the location of on-leash and off-leash areas where your dog can be exercised. If you wish to buy a big dog, there may be restrictions on where he can and can’t be exercised. In many local councils, you have to get your dog registered (in a similar way to how you pay rates. If you’re a renter or live in a retirement village or unit, check with the people running the place you live about what rules are in place regarding whether you can have a dog.

What dog is good for a family that includes children?

If children grow up having a dog living in their home, it should be pleasurable for the dog and the children. If children grow up with no pets, a lifetime of experiences are missed. However, there are certain safety elements to consider.

First off, particularly if the children are small, remember dogs are actually pack animals. The majority of dogs don’t see children in the same way as adults. A dog could attempt to treat the child as part of a pack and try to dominate him/her and this may include biting. If you buy a dog for a family with children, you must be “the boss” 100% of the time and this means you never leave the dog alone with a child.

A helpful solution is having a small dog cage where he can go to escape the child if you’re not home. The dog will get used to the concept of “his space” and the child learns that their dog can sometimes prefer to be left alone and that he does have feelings.

By creating and abiding by these rules, introducing a new dog to the family will be a great learning experience as well as being fun for everyone.

What’s your lifestyle?

If you’re a single person in a tiny apartment that’s on the third floor, choosing a large retriever is not the best idea. However, if you love running and want someone who can keep up with you OR if you have lots of kids who will enjoy playing with a dog, then the bigger dog can be worthwhile.

You need to evaluate a dog’s compatibility with your children, exercise needs, assertiveness and friendliness before buying a dog of any kind. You’re not merely buying a dog. You’re buying a new family member, someone to care for, play with, feed, pat and simply enjoy as part of your family.

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