Puppy Mills, Pet Stores, Shelters and Breeders - By: Weston Lewis
What Are They and What Is the Difference?
There are many ways to acquire a new dog and some methods are definitely better than others. Puppy mills, pet stores, shelters and dog breeders are the most common sources of new pets for most people. Carefully examine the nature of each of these venues before buying a dog.
Puppy Mills
The term ?puppy mill? refers to any breeding facility that breeds dog for profit only. Very little attention is paid to the animals and breed standards are not held to. In the worst of the puppy mills, dogs are stacked up in cages, are underfed and given very little medical care. The dogs are continually bred, heat cycle after heat cycle, giving the female dog little or no time to recover before she is impregnated once again. The conditions under which these dogs are kept and bred often produce dogs with minor to major behavioral and medical problems. Not all puppy mills are large facilities. Even the ?backyard breeder? who breeds dogs only for profit and not for the benefit of the breed is considered by many to be a puppy mill. The prices you?ll pay to a puppy mill may be less than what you would have paid for a dog from a reputable breeder, but you may end up paying more in the long run anyway. Dogs from puppy mills are usually plagued with medical problems (resulting from a lack of proper medical care and malnutrition) that require an excessive amount of medical exams, shots and medication.
Pet Stores
No trip to the mall would be complete without a walk through the pet store, right? All of those cute little puppies, so excited to see you! It?s a miracle that anyone ever makes it out of a pet store without taking one of those cuties home with them. The animals from a pet store might appear to be well cared for and the store?s staff may vouch for the health and quality of their inventory, but the truth is usually something entirely different. The only source of dogs for today?s pet store is the puppy mill. No reputable breeder would allow his or her dog to be displayed and sold in such a manner, so what other kind of breeder is left?
Shelters
If you don?t really care about the breed of a dog and are simply looking for a companion animal, your local animal shelter is a great place to begin your search. Dogs of all ages and sizes are available. Many shelters allow you to play with a dog and spend some time with it before you make the final decision as to whether or not you want to adopt it ? they want to make sure the fit is just right! For an adoption fee, you?ll get a new dog that has been fixed, vaccinated and injected with a microchip.
Breeders
Reputable breeders are the best option if you?re looking for a purebred puppy. A reputable breeder is one who works for the benefit of the breed, not for profit and who cares where his or her puppies end up. Expect to be questioned about your plans for the dog and don?t be surprised if, after a conversation or two, the breeder decides that your home would not be the best one for their dog. If you are approved by the breeder, you will probably have to sign some sort of contract in which you agree to: immediately spay or neuter a dog bought for companion purposes only; notify the breeder of any medical conditions that the dog develops; notify the breeder if you have to get rid of the dog so that he or she can find it a new home; and, breed your dog (if that?s why you?re buying it) in accordance with breed standards. The actual contract might include other stipulations as well. This may seem a bit stringent, but the breeder is only trying to ensure the health and well-being of the animal. A pet you buy from a responsible, reputable breeder can be very expensive, but you?ll know that your new addition to the family is as healthy as he can be and free of genetic defects. Where do you find a reputable breeder? Once you decide on the breed that?s right for you, check with the relevant local and national breed clubs. They will be able to recommend a breeder in your area.
Weston Lewis has been a dog trainer for the past twenty years. After running his own kennel for most of his adult life, he is now retired and sharing his knowledge on the Internet.
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Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory
Monday, April 28, 2008
Puppy Mills, Pet Stores, Shelters and Breeders
Choosing a Suitable Dog - One that fits your lifestyle.
Choosing a Suitable Dog - One that fits your lifestyle. - By: Marion Herbertson
Choosing a suitable Dog? Large or small - active or couch potato - longhaired or short - with the myriad of options out there, how in the world do you pick the right dog?
Will a large dog be best - or a small one? Do you have children? Do you have other pets? Choosing a suitable dog raises so many questions, but choosing the perfect family dog is one of life's big bonuses. Dogs make brilliant companions and wonderful family pets - if you get the maths right! Making the wrong decision results in heartbreak for yourself and your family - and yet another unhappy or abandoned dog.
Choosing a suitable dog for your family is a major decision and there are ALL SORTS of things to consider. Will a dog fit your lifestyle? Will you have the patience to cope with a puppy ? Or would re-homing a mature dog be best for your family? If you do decided to go the puppy route - are you prepared for sleepless nights, puddles in the most unexpected places, not forgetting chewed up family heirlooms?
However, with a little bit of help, picking the perfect family dog can be a breeze if you do your research and remember the following basic points -
What TYPE of Dog will suite your lifestyle?
Simply put, the type of dog that will fit your lifestyle largely depends on the type of lifestyle you have.
Are you an active, outdoors type of person? You will probably enjoy a medium to large, active dog which needs regular exercise and can join in all your fun. If, however you lead a more sedate lifestyle, a smaller, calmer dog would be suitable and more appreciative of your calm lifestyle.
Space is also an important consideration. Some large dogs need plenty of space whilst small dogs do quite well in flats and apartments.
What BREED of Dog will suite your lifestyle?
Once you've decided what "type" of dog will best suit you, you can now work out the breeds which fit the bill. Dog breeds differ from each other as much as night does from day - this is why research is an absolute must.
Do take time to check out the breed AND the breeder thoroughly. Your dog's temperament is decided primarily by his breed and breeding and only then by human conditioning and training. However, when he is under pressure or provoked, it is almost always your dog's breed and breeding that will win - do bear this important fact in mind.
Other Factors to Consider
When choosing a suitable dog, don’t forget to take into account the cost of looking after a dog. Consider, for example, a dog's grooming needs - ie: shorthaired or longhaired? If you go for a longer haired breed, you need to factor in the additional cost of time and/or professional grooming.
In addition to the usual expenses such as food, vet bills, annual vaccinations and insurance you also need to consider the care of your pet while you're on holiday . Believe me, this can be expensive! More dogs than you care to imagine end up in a dog shelter or worse still on doggy death row simply because their owner had not considered these cost implications.
Last by not least, what type are you?
Well ...... choosing a suitable dog largely depends on your own personality. After all, it's no point picking a dog which is the life and soul of the party if you're the retiring type. Nor is it much fun choosing a dog which matures early and becomes all "dignified" - when what you thrive on is regular rough-and-tumble sessions! Yet another reason for you to do your research thoroughly.
So, do your research at this stage - there is a lot to be considered when choosing a suitable dog. Read as much as you can - and take your time. You'll find a dog which settles into your lifestyle so comfortably, you wont remember a day when he wasn't there - and even if you do, you’ll wonder how in the world you managed without him!
With years of experience in breeding, training and handling dogs, Marion Herbertson is first and foremost a dog lover. Visit http://www.advice-on-pet-care-and-pet-product-supplies-online.com/Choosing-A-Suitable-Dog.html - for more of her practical, sometimes humourous advice on pet care.
Article Source Dog News Center and Article Directory
