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Pets as Gifts
One thing a responsible
breeder always cringes at is the calls for puppies to be gifts. This is not
a scarf you can exchange or a box of candy you can eat or pass on. This is a
potential member of your family for a decade or more. Any decision should be
made with thought of the consequences.
First a potential buyer
should research the breed they are interested in. Libraries and the Internet
are full of information about every breed. When you have it narrowed down to
a few breeds of dog that appeal to you for various reasons, contact several
breeders. Ask about their breed’s peculiar characteristics. Are they runners
like Labs and Goldens? Do they shed? If so, how much and when? Some breeds
like Malamutes and Elkhounds shed seasonally – others lose hair constantly.
How
are they with children? Are they barkers? Do they like water like Newfies
and other retrieving breeds? How large will they grow?
Some
breeds have specific health problems. Ask about those. Make sure any
breeding stock has been
OFA’d,
meaning their hips have been x-rayed for soundness. You may ask for copies
of these certificates and also of pedigrees.
Is
there a coat to be maintained? Some breeds like Bichons need frequent
scissoring to look correct. Go to dog shows when you see them advertised.
This is an excellent opportunity to see all the breeds being exhibited, and
you will have time to talk to the breeders. Ask the breeders for references,
so you can hear owners experiences with these breeders and their stock.
Inquire about health guarantees and what would happen if you could no longer
keep the pet for some reason or another.
NEVER
assume your decision to choose a pet for someone else. And don’t think of
trendy animals. After the movie 101 Dalmatians, the shelters became full of
discarded animals. Dalmatians are not good dogs for kids. Obviously the
movie made thousands of people select this breed with disastrous
consequences for both the animals and purchasers.
Now
Goldens are the yuppy puppy. This trend has gone through Dobermans, then
Rotties and now Goldens. What this means is that everyone who can put
together a breeding pair does so to make money, disregarding the health and
temperament issues involved in these breedings. And then the breed gets a
bad reputation from these back yard breeders who were only in it for the
dollars.
There
are many reputable breeders who will gladly educate you about their breed by
giving you information or having you visit their establishments. This is the
way to go.
And
NEVER select a pet store puppy no matter how sad or needy they look. These
are from puppy mills and to purchase them you are encouraging the production
of more puppies from these sources. These animals usually have any number of
health problems. But when you have taken the animal home and grown to love
it, you will bear almost any expense to make it whole.
The House of Rex
William and Geraldine House
4882 Diehl Road
Metamora MI 48455
USA
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