It always amazes me when a puppy is chosen with so little care for a new home. The couple looked at the pups through the fence and chose the pretty smooth black and tan pup after looking at her for five minutes. A lot of the time this works out but when it doesn’t, the consequences are devastating. This is not a bicycle or stereo paraphernalia that is returned for a refund if found to be defective. Puppies are a living, breathing entity that deserves more thought put into its existence than a piece of entertainment equipment. We have put together a list of questions to ask yourself when you decide to look for an addition to your family. This should give you an idea of what you are looking for in a family pet and reduce the chance of a mismatch. Remember this only a guideline and that animals have a way of breaking all rules of conduct. They are living, thinking and acting creatures.

        1 What do I want the dog for ? Watchdog, companion, performance, kid’s toy, babysitter, guardian/vermin, backyard dog, exercise for human

       2. Temperament - attentive to you, following kind of dog or self-reliant independent or feisty like a terrier, or sensitive like a border collie, For kids you do not want a real sensitive dog, but one that can take a bit of roughhousing - should be some give and take - dressing up, going in a buggy, pulling a sled, just hugging and laying on as a pillow

      3. Looks - practical - size, coat -indoors or outdoor - shedding, (short haired dogs shed differently than long haired clumps vs individual hairs),texture of hair - silky, wiry, straight, curly, single coat or double coat, length of hair, amount of grooming and kind of grooming daily, weekly etc,

      b)Ascetic - what appeals to you, colour, and markings, blonde vs black, body shape and type, colour and shape of eyes, type of face, type of coat - appearance

     4.Sex, altered? Male vs female ,Is there personality differences between the sexes? ,Is marking (male dog lifting his leg) an issue?

    5.Intelligence - for the average housepet you do not want a really smart dog because they are too difficult to keep occupied ie, border collie needs a job to be happy, terrier - jack russell cute to look at but hard to keep busy in socially acceptable manner

   6. Trainability - dog that is interested in doing what you want, will learn and obey even if it will take it longer than a super bright, delinquent. Willingness is the key

     B) what is Your energy level, are you a jogger or a couch potato

              These questions will get you started in the search for the family pet that will fit into your lifestyle and be the loving companion you all can live with as a “Happy Ending”.            

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.