Archives for January 2017

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Are you looking for a new best friend? Dogs are known as man’s best friend because of their unfaltering loyalty. Dogs make wonderful pets, but as a pet owner, you’ll face highs and lows. It’s all plain sailing, especially if you buy a puppy. If you’re thinking about getting a dog, here’s everything you need to know about owning a pooch.

Choosing a breed and finding the perfect pup

Before you start looking for puppies, choose a breed. Although all dogs have similarities, they come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s best to do some research beforehand. Do you want a big, medium-sized or small dog? Do you want a purebred or a cross-breed? Do you want a puppy or are you keen to adopt an older dog? Do you want a very active dog or one that is slightly more docile? Some breeds need a lot more activity than others, and there are certain character traits you may find in some breeds and not others. If you’re not sure what kind of dog to get, ask a vet for advice, or contact some breeders and set up some meetings.

Think about your lifestyle and where you live when you’re choosing a breed. If you have a small home, and you don’t have time for walking, don’t choose a large breed that requires hours of activity every day.

It’s essential that you look in the right places if you’re buying a puppy. The Internet is an excellent resource for tracking down breeders but beware of people trying to sell puppies for rock-bottom prices. If you see adverts with prices that are much lower than others, this should be a red flag sign. It’s always wise to see the puppies before you buy, and also to see at least one if not both parents. If you’re looking for a pedigree dog, check out the papers before you part with any money or take the pup away. Look for reputable breeders, and trust your instincts when you go and visit the dogs. Look for somewhere where they are treated well, and the owner clearly cares for them. Ask the breeder about vaccinations, and health checks. Often, by the time you can take your puppy home, they will have already had their first set of vaccinations and a general once over from the vet.

How much does owning a dog cost?

It’s impossible to put an exact figure on how much it costs to own a dog, but it doesn’t come cheap. Initially, you’ll have to pay to buy the pup, and then it will need all kinds of accessories, such as toys, bedding, and of course, food. When you’ve bought a bed, food and water bowls, a lead and collar, and toys, you’ll have to factor in running costs, such as food and vet bills. When you first get your puppy, they will need a second set of immunizations, which will be followed by an annual booster. Experts, like those from Otay Pet Vets Veterinarians, also recommend regular dental health checks. You’ll also need to think about investing in pet insurance and obedience classes. If you work full-time, you may also need to add the cost of a dog walker into your monthly budget.

Vet bills can be very high, and they often come as a bolt out of the blue. We all want the best for our pets, and most us will make huge financial sacrifices if it comes down to paying bills to save their lives. One way of avoiding unexpected costs is to pay for insurance. You pay a monthly or annual fee in return for protection for your pet. Check the details of policies carefully before you buy. Generally speaking, the more you pay, the higher the level of protection. You’ll usually have to pay an excess, but this may be considerably cheaper than the amount you’d pay if the dog wasn’t insured.

Preparing your home

Puppies are undeniably gorgeous, but they can also be mischievous. Try and make sure you have plenty of toys for them to chew and play with before you bring them home and relocate anything valuable or precious to your bedroom. Put down training sheets and pads to prevent accidents on carpets and keep them busy. Lay down the law from day one, and show them that you’re in charge. Give them plenty of affection, and play with them. Don’t leave them alone for long. If you are popping out, consider leaving them in a crate or ensure that they lots of toys with them to keep them busy while you’re out. Some dog owners also leave the radio or TV on, so that the dog doesn’t feel like it’s alone.

Keeping your dog healthy

Most pet owners fall head over heels for their new friend instantly. This little bundle of fur will make you happy when you’re sad, and act as a constant companion. When you own a dog, you want it to be as healthy as possible, so it’s important to take the right steps. Pay attention to feeding guidelines, and make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Dogs can put on weight easily if they eat too much or they’re inactive. Try and avoid giving your dog your food. It’s very difficult to resist puppy dog eyes, but some human foods can be very harmful to dogs. The odd bit of meat or fish won’t do any harm but don’t make sharing your meals a habit. Dental health is really important for dogs, and gum disease is very common. You can keep your dog’s oral health in check by brushing their teeth, giving them specially designed chews, and booking regular vet checks. It’s also essential to keep up to date with boosters.

If you’re considering getting a dog, there’s a lot to think about. Hopefully, this guide will help you to choose the perfect pup, and ensure you’re ready to bring your new friend home, and start enjoying a new life together.

A lot of people prefer larger breeds of dog to small or medium-sized ones, particularly in the suburbs and rural areas. Though Labradors, German Shepherds and the like may not be the easiest dogs to care for, they offer just as much joy and companionship as any other pooch. Still, if you’ve finally decided that you’re going to buy or adopt a dog, the breed is an important consideration to take into account. Here are the main pros and cons of owning a big dog…

The Pros

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For a lot of people, one of the biggest pros of some of the most popular large breeds is that they make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers in particular are known for being patient and playful dogs that are great with kids. Many other large breeds generally have great temperaments, and will be very protective of their family once they’ve settled into the home.

Despite what you may have heard, larger dogs can be very adaptable to their environments, and can make fantastic apartment dogs in a lot of cases. Provided that it gets enough exercise, a lot of large dogs will be happy enough to relax the rest of the day. Retired greyhounds, for example, can usually adapt very easily to an apartment provided they get an opportunity for a good run here and there.

Another benefit of owning a large dog is that they’re generally more receptive to training. Some of the most intelligent and easily-trained dogs are on the larger end of the spectrum, and many of them have a temperament which makes them eager to please their owners. If this is a big part of your criteria, then you’ll probably want to restrict your search to larger dog breeds.

The Cons

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One of the main cons of owning a large dog is… well, the fact that they’re large! While a lot of larger breeds are known to have a great temperament, it’s possible for any dog to show behavioral problems. This is especially true when they’re puppies, or when they’ve been rescued from a hostile environment. If you it turns out that you don’t have the time for some pretty intensive behavioral training, then you may find yourself having to run after your dog when you’re out on walks, or having to seek out a treatment for dog bite more than once. You should either take a long time judging the temperament of the dogs you’re considering, or prepare yourself for a bumpy and strenuous start to the relationship.

Another thing that can be a major issue with owning a large dog is the size of their litters. Larger dog breeds tend to have much larger litters than smaller breeds, and while there’s less problems with whelping, the aftermath can be a real handful. If you’re looking for a dog to start breeding, or you simply plan to let your dog have puppies, then it’s important to consider how easily you’ll handle a large litter.

As with anything, you’re going to have to think about the money your dog is going to cost you over time, and this is another major con of owning a larger breed: they cost a lot more, both to take home and to care for afterwards. Their food is going to cost more, as will their veterinary care, and even their larger chew toys, beds etc. Furthermore, it also costs a lot more to travel with a larger dog. If you’re planning to fly with a large dog, then they have to be declared as baggage, which will cost you far more than traveling with a dog you can simply take into the cabin with you. That’s not the only kind of restriction you need to think about when you’re planning to take your pet on vacations. A lot of hotels and motels bar any pets that weigh more than 30 pounds. If you’re planning on staying at any hotels or similar accommodation with a larger dog, be sure to check their policies in advance.

A lot of people aren’t aware of it, but larger dogs tend to live shorter lives than smaller ones, too. The average is between 10-14 years, compared to many smaller breeds which usually live to around 20. Still, the dog’s lifespan will vary depending on the exact breed and the state of its health before you bring it home. If this is going to be a big deciding factor, then fortunately there are many online resources where you can find the average life expectancy of different breeds.