I spent the past weekend driving around town with a friend seeking to buy a dog. For the perfect puppy to adopt, my friend and I browsed through pet shops after pet shops and watched little puppies play and sleep. We adored the little balls of fur and contemplated on which one to adopt and call something cute, like Hershey, maybe.
As we sat down for a cup of coffee after hours of going around and being left undecided, and still unsure what dogs to buy, we decided to jot down some key considerations when seeking to buy a suitable dog.
Buying a dog is a big step of responsibility. As these dogs are like kids needing time, attention, and care, it takes more than just providing food and shelter to our pets. But they are good companions, friends and most of the time, their lovable and carefree ways moves us to shift to having a better outlook on life.
Moreover, adopting a dog under our care keeps us in touch with our nurturing nature and brings out the best parenting instincts in us. With my friend's decision to buy one, she weighed Pros and Cons and mapped out considerations in buying a dog and made sure she was ready for the responsibility.
In doing so, we pondered on the following:
The Kind of Dog
As she lives alone in a house a few blocks off the main downtown, she wanted a guard dog that could help her sleep soundly at night knowing that she is somehow protected and I suggested a Labrador or a German shepherd. She countered that she was also considering a Dalmatian, a Rottweiler or a Boerboel. She would have wanted a beagle or a Spitz but realized that she was foremost seeking a guard dog that would command presence.
The Shelter and Environment
Some dog breeds would require specified environment like Shi Tzus, Poodles, and Saint Bernards wherein they would prefer indoors or cool places respectively. Other breeds like Dobermans, Rottweilers and Labradors would need open spaces nearby where they can stretch their legs, run around and build some muscles. The bigger dogs are designed to be constantly in motion and are encouraged to be trained to guard and rescue and would thus need longer periods of exercise and walks.
The Food
Did you know that most dogs do not sit well with beef, as it is harder to digest? Often, a continued intake of beef may cause an irritable bowel syndrome and upset stomachs. An option would be for canned dog foods that come in Chicken and Rice and Lamb and would be preferred by your puppy. As these are laden with soft meat and gravy, digestion would be easier for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
However, over the years, I have found out that feeding dry dog food works best. But if your pups prefer some meat, then a couple of table spoons of canned dog food may do.
The Papers
When seeking to buy a dog, it is important to check the dog's papers and clinical history. Most puppies for sale and/or adoption have "puppy" books that record their medical history, including vaccines. The papers should contain details of the puppy, as to when exactly it was born, so as to monitor its growth and development, when the shots and medications (like deworming) given, the vitamins and the name and breed of both parents.
The kind of breed one would choose most likely depends on factors like the shelter we could provide, the food that the dog eats and of course, owner's preferences. For a single mother like I am, I considered the type of dog that could protect my daughter and I at night and has enough energy to run around the yard or park with my little one.
Of course, I also considered the budget I have to set aside on monthly trips to the veterinarian, the amount of food intake my dog needs and the kind of training to provide.
My friend decided to get a chocolate brown Labrador puppy, which in the end, she got to name Hershey.
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