Read This Before You Buy a Puppy

It is hard to resist that cute little bundle of fur in the pet shop window. Those big, sad eyes are just begging you to take them home with you. That soft fur is pleading to be stroked. When you pick up that darling little bundle of fur, a moist little tongue begins to lick your hand. Its love at first sight and you cannot bear to be parted. But wait...

...there are things you need to consider before you buy that cute little puppy.

The most important thing is to understand that you will be responsible for the animal for the rest of it's life. Some dogs can live to twenty years old, although this is rare, and you need to be there every day for your pet. You need to provide food, shelter, exercise and companionship for your pet at all times. If you travel or if you work long hours, it is not a good idea to take on the responsibility of a pet.

Another thing to consider before you buy a dog is whether your lifestyle will change dramatically in the next few years. Many people get a pet when they are young and single, then marry, move house, have children, change careers or other major lifestyle changes and find their pet does not fit in with the changes.

Before buying the cute little puppy in the pet shop window, you really need to know what breed of dog he is. That cute little bundle of fur could turn into Cujo. A large breed will eat a lot of food, and what goes in must come out.

Larger breeds will need more exercise than toy breeds. Working breeds need exercise or they become destructive and frustrated. A border collie, if left unexercised will probably just dig under your fence and cause havoc with the neighbour's cat. If your dog gets out in the traffic you are liable for any accidents he causes, and he could be seriously injured or killed. There are also heavy fines for wandering pets.

If you want to be sure you have a sound, healthy pet it is always best to see the parents. I prefer to buy from a reputable breeder. You can get details from your local Kennel Club. Make sure you visit the breeder and check the conditions the dogs live in. If the animals are unhappy, nervous, over-excited or dirty, it is probably better to try elsewhere.

When you find a good breeder with healthy, happy dogs, you can be sure your pup will be healthy and have a good temperament. Many breeders like to keep in contact and can help you with any questions that may arise.

Getting a pet is a major commitment. It is important to know what you are getting into. The rewards are certainly worth the effort but you do need to be able to properly care for and understand your pet's needs. Do some research before you buy.

Wendy Streater goes to http://mrsnoahsark.info for information, advice and ideas on keeping pets.

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