Not sure if homemade or store-bought food is best for your pet? Consider these important factors.
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Select your new dog with your lifestyle and living situation in mind. In addition to your new family member's personality, consider its temperament, size, and coat as well. Some breeds have traits that may be objectionable in certain circumstances, such as hyper excitability or a tendency to bark. Your veterinarian is a valuable resource and should be consulted before you acquire a pet of any kind.
Breed Selection
There are two types of dogs--purebred and mixed breed. The 124 recognized breeds are grouped into seven categories: hound, working, terrier, toy, sporting, non-sporting, and herding. There are thousands of mixed-breed combinations. Each purebred or mixed-breed dog has a unique personality. Dogs originally bred for a specific purpose tend to retain these characteristics. These dogs may require additional training and patience. Selecting a specific breed does not guarantee a particular behavior, but choosing offspring from animals with desirable temperaments does increase one's chances of getting the best pet. Mixed breeds can be as beautiful, intelligent, loving, and companionable as purebreds.Veterinarians, breed-specific books (usually available at libraries and pet stores), and dog shows are excellent sources of information about individual breed characteristics and needs.
Friend or Protector?
Most dogs, even tiny ones, bark when strangers approach their home or yard. This bark is usually enough to deter intruders. A pet should not be trained as an attack dog. Attack-trained dogs require special handling and knowledge to prevent accidental injury to people, including members of your own family.
Not sure if homemade or store-bought food is best for your pet? Consider these important factors.
Read moreWorried about paying for veterinary care? Pet health insurance can help cover your costs.
Read moreIs pet nail trimming a hectic experience at your house? These tips can make the process a little easier.
Read moreWant to ease your pet's aches and pains? Try massage!
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Read moreBig dogs can have equally big health problems. Find out what conditions and diseases typically affect larger dogs.
Read moreWould you rather do anything than give your pet medicine? These tips may make the process easier.
Read moreWant to know if your pet is healthy? Take a look at his or her stools.
Read moreNot sure why your pet is shedding more than usual. We explore a few reasons that your pet may be losing hair.
Read moreWondering how to care for your new pet? Check out our recommendations!
Read moreAnimal shelters, or what used to be known as pounds, are either governmental or private organizations that provide temporary homes for stray, surrendered, or abandoned pet animals. They most often house dogs and cats. The animal is kept at the shelter until it is reclaimed by the owner, adopted to a
Read moreBuying from a reputable breeder gives you the opportunity to interact with the pets family, siblings, dam, also possibly the sire. You can, therefore, form a general impression of what the future holds for the pet you take home. A responsible breeder is a good source for a well-bred, healthy pet. The
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