| Welcome to the world of dog ownership. If | | | | Purebred Puppy : A Buyers Guide by Michele |
| you've done your due diligence and research, then | | | | Welton/Paperback/2000 (second edition) - The |
| you probably are confident that you have | | | | Complete Dog Book (20th Ed) by the American |
| selected the right breed for your home. Guess | | | | Kennel Club/Hardcover/1997 These three books |
| what? The education is about to begin. Let me | | | | are excellent reading. The one published by the |
| introduce you to what I refer to as the "Dog | | | | AKC is my first choice if you are getting that dog |
| Owner's Guide to Survival." It's not a book, but it | | | | as an investment (as in breeding) as well as a pet. |
| is a common sense approach when it comes to | | | | The origin of the breed, reasons for its |
| canine ownership. Making a few common sense | | | | development, personality, and physical attributes is |
| decisions regarding your new dog can be critical | | | | what I call critical need-to-know information. So |
| when it comes down to laying the foundation to a | | | | the first consideration is to select the breed based |
| good relationship with the animal. One of the first | | | | on studying it from all angles and making sure |
| considerations is the position that dog will occupy | | | | that it will adapt to the family lifestyle and |
| from an interaction standpoint. You should also | | | | temperament. Personalities of breeds come in all |
| think about that when it comes to the animal's | | | | shapes and sizes. Do you want a dog that can |
| relationship with friends, neighbors, and (especially) | | | | hunt or pull a sled? Or do you want a dog that is |
| strangers who show up unexpectedly at your | | | | calm and loves to just hang out and relax? How |
| home. You will find that in most instances, the | | | | about the coat --- long-hair or short-hair? |
| relationship will work if the dog and owner adapt | | | | Obviously, if you really love that animal, grooming |
| to the situation that the decisions have mandated. | | | | will always be an issue. And by all means, think |
| Another point here is that you need to treat this | | | | about the climate zone that you're living in. Here's |
| relationship the same way you would treat any | | | | a thought. If you live in the dessert, don't get a |
| other relationship, especially relationships that you | | | | sheep dog. Do you catch my drift? Just |
| have with loved ones. Use the philosophy of | | | | remember that the physical and psychological |
| making the relationship work for all parties | | | | aspects are everything. Never take them for |
| concerned and you will have a much easier time | | | | granted. Never assume that you are doing all you |
| of things. The key aspects are adaptation to the | | | | can do for that animal's well being. Their mental |
| relationship, amending the rules, and the act of | | | | health controls their physical health, just like with |
| decision making. To reflect back momentarily, | | | | humans. |
| what if you haven't decided on the breed of dog | | | | Alexey Baskakov is a dedicated expert on pets |
| that you want and are just starting to do your | | | | and canine health. Check out his dog supplies site |
| research? Here's some suggested reading for you: | | | | for more information on how to keep your best |
| - Choosing a Dog for Dummies by Chris | | | | friend healthy. |
| Walkowicz/Trade paperback/2001 - Your | | | | |