Photo Credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1111753Are you thinking about getting a new puppy? Summer is puppy season. And many people begin to think about adding a dog to their family during this season. But where to go to get the new dog? What kind of dog should you get? There are a lot of resources on the web about how to choose the correct dog for you. The American Kennel Club has a ton of resources about temperament, exercise needs and grooming needs of the recognized breeds. Shelters and rescues can be good for helping you determine the temperament and needs of an individual dog.
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If you are thinking about purchasing a pure bred dog make sure you can go and visit the breeder. You should see a small number of happy healthy dogs that are allowed to socialize with the other dogs and humans in the household. You should be shown medical records for both the puppies and their parents testifying to the health of all of the dogs. You should go prepared to ask questions about inherited and genetic disease risks for that particular breed and the breeder should willing provide evidence of the existence or absence of those problems. Ask to see actual veterinary records or for a release to speak directly with the breeder's veterinarian about these concerns.
Here are some resources for researching inherited disease in various dog breeds.
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) at http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/breeds.html
Canine Inherited Disorders Database maintained by the University of Prince Edward Island at http://ic.upei.ca/cidd/.
You can also check out more information on hips, heart and eye problems through the following resources:
Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) at http://www.vmdb.org/history.html
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) at http://www.offa.org/index.html
OFA's Cardiac Database at http://www.offa.org/cardiac_about.html
University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PENNHip) at http://research.vet.upenn.edu/pennhip/GeneralInformation/WhatisPennHIP/tabid/3232/Default.aspx
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Perhaps you would like to adopt a puppy or even better have some interest in an older dog. Then you are likely to be looking into area shelters and rescues. Even here we can find problems with the management, care and adoption policies. Again, you should always be allowed to meet the dog you have interest in, even if they are currently being fostered. If you have other pets or children at home they should have some time to meet the pet before you take him or her home. Shelter or rescue pets should be spayed or neutered or there should be a refundable deposit to be sure that they are spayed or neuter soon after you adopt. There should also be some temperament testing done by the shelter or rescue agency. Ask if they have used the ASPCA's SAFER test or Sue Sternberg's Assess-A-Pet. Make sure the animals have continued to receive appropriate vaccinations, deworming and other veterinary care during their stay.
And finally, stay away from the Internet! Anyone can stage or Photoshop a photo. You have no idea of the conditions that your puppy was raised in unless you can view it yourself. You also have no first hand knowledge of the health of the parents, puppies or temperament of any of the dogs without meeting them. The most critical period of socialization for puppies begins before they leave the kennel and if they have been kept in a cage the entire time they may not be appropriate household pets.
Want more information? I just found the best website about how to research breeders, rescues, shelters and what red flags to look out for. Check out www.pupquest.org. Written by a veterinarian with extensive experience in animal shelters and rescues this website has a ton of information about finding the best source for you new lifelong companion.
Want more? Here is are two free downloadable books by Dr. Ian Dunbar, a notable veterinarian and animal trainer. http://www.dogstardaily.com/files/BEFORE%20You%20Get%20Your%20Puppy.pdf
Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/288602
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