Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Assessing Your Lifestyle
• Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Dog Type
• Part 3 of 3: Choosing and purchasing a puppy
• Tips

It's not for nothing that a dog is called man's best friend. Dogs are a lot like humans: they enjoy being in company, sharing their feelings, and playing. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in your desire to bring a puppy home and raise from him a full member of your family. Puppies are incredibly funny, but they give their owners a lot of responsibility. Unlike children, who grow up and become independent, pets cannot take care of themselves and require constant care and attention. It should be remembered that puppies grow into adult dogs, some of which are able to live up to 15 years or more. When deciding which puppy to choose, you need to carefully consider a number of important points.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Assessing Your Lifestyle

1. 1 Assess your financial capabilities. Are you in a stable financial position and do you have a steady income? Keeping a dog is expensive; the necessary accessories, feed and veterinary services cost a lot.
   • The cost of keeping a dog can also influence your choice. Large dogs are often more expensive for owners - they are more likely to have certain health problems that are rare in smaller breeds, in addition, large dogs eat a lot.
   • Make sure you have a supply of emergency supplies in case you need an urgent veterinarian visit, surgery, or tests. Sometimes events do not develop as planned, and you may need additional visits to the veterinary clinic, in addition to routine check-ups and vaccinations. Your pet needs the best possible care, so make sure your finances allow it.
2. 2 Consider where you live. Do you live in a rural area, small or large city? Do you live in a hostel, apartment or private house? Where you live and the available living space will influence the choice of a particular type of dog. In addition, puppies need space and fresh air for walks, so think carefully before making a decision.
   • For example, evaluate the interior space of your home. A large and noisy dog ​​in a small house will just drive everyone crazy. Moreover, a large dog will not benefit from being forced to stay in a tight space. You need to choose a puppy that, as an adult, will fit well into the living space you have.
   • Think about outdoor space. Do you have your own private yard? Puppies are always energized and need space to exercise. Having a private yard will also allow you to easily train your puppy to toilet outdoors. If you live in an urban apartment building or hostel, consider the location of the nearest parks, green areas and walking areas.
3. 3 Assess your own employment. Do you have time to take care of your dog? A small puppy needs a lot of care and training. Are you ready to rebuild your own life with your puppy's needs in mind? If you work 12 hours a day or travel frequently, the puppy is probably not the best fit for your lifestyle.
   • Puppies are fun, but their energy can be time-consuming. In the first few weeks, you will need to train your puppy to cleanliness at home and teach him to follow the simplest commands.
   • It will also be necessary to set aside time for one or two long daily walks. It is not enough just to take the puppy outside, in the yard or in the park to the toilet for 5 minutes.Exercise that allows you to spend your dog's physical and mental energy is key to raising a balanced and happy pet.
   • In the first year of a pet's life, you will have to visit the veterinarian quite often. The puppy will need to be vaccinated, anthelmintic, castrated (sterilized).
4. 4 Think about the people and animals that also live in your home. Consider the wishes and needs of your family members, as these will also influence the choice of a puppy. Does anyone have a dog allergy (perhaps even a specific type of dog)? Is anyone scared to death of dogs? Buying a puppy is a big decision, so you should definitely make the right choice. Puppies grow into adult dogs, and your pet will probably live with you for a long time, so consider him as a new family member to whom everyone should pay attention and give love.
   • Think about the pets you already have. Consider the temperament of your pets and their usual reactions to dogs and other animals. For example, a cat that has lived with you for a long time can easily become jealous of your puppy. In addition, having an energetic puppy can be stressful for older pets. It may take some time for older pets to accept it, but often the relationship between animals will settle on its own.
   • Consider your plans for the future. Are you moving soon or are you planning to move next year? Moving (especially with air travel) can be very stressful for your pet; In addition, it will cost you additional funds to transport the animal, so consider whether you will be permanently residing at your current address in the short term. Are you expecting a child and are you planning to start a family soon? Raising a puppy and a baby at the same time can be challenging, as both will need love, attention and constant care. You must have complete confidence that you can allocate your time and that you will not have any discomfort from finding a pet near your child. Sit down, think over your plans for several years ahead and really assess how the dog will fit into your vision of the future.
5. 5 Assess the availability of support services where you live. Is there a good veterinarian and a 24-hour veterinary clinic nearby? Are there dog hotels or friends nearby to look after your dog if you decide to go on vacation and cannot take your pet with you?
   • If you work hard but can't give up on the idea of ​​having a puppy, you may find it convenient to hire someone to feed and walk the dog while you are at work.

Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Right Dog Type

1. 1 Decide on the size of your pet. What kind of dog do you want to have: big or small? The answer to this question will rely to some extent on assessing your home's living space and outdoor space for walking your dog.
   • For example, large dogs such as Great Danes and St. Bernards are calm and tidy, while smaller breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier are more energetic and smaller in size. Be that as it may, both large and small dogs have their fans. Often, the judgment about which dog will behave better in a particular environment will depend on your personal opinion and the characteristics of a particular animal.
   • In general, small dogs include animals weighing less than 10 kg or with a height below 40 cm at the withers. Small dogs are popular among city dwellers living in apartments, as well as among those people living in small houses.
2. 2 Think about what kind of breed you want to have. Study the characteristics of the breeds that you like, and pay special attention to information about the temperament of dogs, their needs, health, gender differences and other details that may affect your final decision. It is also possible that you have dreamed of having a particular breed since childhood and all your life.
3. 3 Decide if you want to have a purebred puppy or a mestizo. Purebred dogs include those dogs whose ancestors in a number of generations were representatives of the same breed. Mestizos are a cross between different breeds of dogs.
   • Purebred puppies with pedigree are always much more expensive than undocumented mestizos. But at the same time, it will be easier for you to predict the adult size of a thoroughbred puppy.
   • Mestizo puppies are usually quite strong, have good health, as well as a wide variety of colors, appearance and sizes.
   • Purebred puppies are more prone to hereditary diseases than mestizos. However, responsible breeders make sure to test breeding animals for diseases of the thyroid gland, eyes, dysplasia of the joints and remove dogs with negative results of such tests from breeding.
   • Ultimately, both purebred and non-purebred dogs have their advantages and disadvantages. However, what your puppy will be like depends entirely on how you raise, educate and train him.
4. 4 Consider if you want to have a bitch or a dog. Some believe that males are more affectionate and easier to train, while females are more aggressive and more defensive. However, these gender differences are largely contrived. No one has yet scientifically proven that a dog will behave in a certain way just because it is a bitch or a male.
   • Any gender differences between individuals may be breed-specific, so do your own research. In addition, neutering or neutering a puppy can negate differences in behavior between a bitch and a dog.

Part 3 of 3: Choosing and purchasing a puppy

1. 1 Decide where exactly you want to buy a puppy. There are many options for this, from shelters to breeders and official nurseries. You can even search for ads on sites like Avito. The decision about where to get a puppy, along with other factors, will depend on whether you need a particular dog and how much money you are willing to pay for it.
   • Whenever possible, try to select a puppy from a good breeder from a healthy litter that has been raised by a lactating bitch at home, rather than from a large kennel. Such a puppy will adapt faster to the new life in your home.
   • Choosing the right breeder is critical. A good place to start looking for a breeder is the local kennel club, as they keep a list of all registered litters of purebred dogs. The club will help you connect with breeders and get your search off the ground. You can also visit a dog show to meet with breeders and dog owners and get more useful information from them.
   • In no case, do not purchase a puppy from unscrupulous breeders and in kennels with a bad reputation, where breeding is put on stream. It is not uncommon for these breeders to breed too often from their brood bitches and do not provide adequate care for the puppies. Their main concern is to make money, not to care for the health and welfare of the dogs. In addition, you may not even be told about fatal diseases and health problems of animals, since it is only important for them to get money from you.
2. 2 Ask the right questions. Once you have decided where you will buy a puppy, ask the breeder or representatives of the kennel in more detail about the process of breeding dogs. Find out how extensive their knowledge of dogs is, and whether they invest in animal welfare.
   • For example, if you are buying a purebred puppy, talk to the breeder. Good breeders spend a lot of time with their animals and can tell you in detail about the temperament of any of the puppies.If you are buying a mestizo, ask as much as possible about the puppy's parents; so you can get a general idea of ​​what the puppy will be like when it grows up. Also, it will not be superfluous to discuss the health status of the puppy's parents.
3. 3 Examine the puppies. Before stopping a choice on one puppy, take a close look at all of them, pay attention to which of them is mobile, and who is lazy, who is affectionate or aggressive, anxious or calm.
   • Don't just look at the puppies, but also play with them to get to know them better. Pay attention to those of them that will independently approach you, begin to lick their hands and wag their tails.
   • After carefully observing the entire litter, you will probably have an opinion about which of the puppies you like best. These puppies can be judged individually in a quiet environment where they will not be distracted by sounds, food, or other puppies in the litter.
   • Make sure your puppy is hand-taught from birth and has contact with people. Such a puppy is more likely to grow up to be friendly.
   • Be wary of shy and cowardly puppies that tend to bite, irritate, and defecate when handled. These puppies are more likely to behave in the same way unless carefully and well-planned training is given to them.
4. 4 Make the final choice with your mind and heart. You will increase your chances of making the right choice by relying on both your heart and your head at the same time. Consider both your feelings for the puppy and your objective observations about his physical and mental health.
5. 5 Check the puppy's health. Ask about the health of the puppy you like and whether it has been vaccinated. You can also do a physical examination of the animal yourself. Below is a list of what you should look out for.
   • Energy level. A healthy puppy will be active and interested in what is happening around.
   • Hearing. A puppy with normal hearing should respond to a clap behind his head.
   • Vision. A puppy with good eyesight will observe a ball or toy that moves in its field of vision.
   • Body condition. The belly of a healthy puppy should be soft with light pressure. The puppy should look plump and have a small amount of fat in the chest area.
   • Genitals. The genital area should not be stained with feces or purulent discharge.
   • Eyes. A healthy puppy should have clean, bright and completely open eyes without any discharge or crusts.
   • Ears and teeth. Examine the puppy's ears and teeth. They must be clean.
   • Wool. The puppy's coat should look beautiful, it should not be dull and have dandruff; there should be no redness and flaking on the skin. Externally, the coat should look shiny and healthy.
   • Check for fleas. Note the small black dots in the puppy's coat. However, do not be discouraged even if you find them, because getting rid of fleas is quite simple.

Tips

• Make a list of what you would expect from the ideal puppy. List everything from color to level of mobility and grooming needs. Writing a list will make you think carefully about what kind of dog you really want and what breed will suit your lifestyle well.
• Check the history of the puppy's parents. If the parents had any health problems or illnesses, it is likely that they are hereditary, so they can manifest themselves in the puppy. You must be prepared for this risk and for dealing with potential illnesses.
• Just try to flip through pictures of different breeds of dogs. If you like any breed, read more information about it.
• Neuter or neuter the puppy. This will make him even more affectionate.
• Try to get a puppy from a shelter. By taking a puppy out of the shelter, you can save his life.