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DOG BREEDS AND MONGRELS |
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DOG BREEDS AND MONGRELS |
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Which kind of
dog should you choose? Thousands of healthy dogs are killed each year. Perhaps this horrible number could be reduced if people would take the time to examine the breed that they choose, to see if it fits with the expectations and needs of the family. Before buying a dog you should consider what requirements and ideas you have for the dog. Are you a very active family, spending a lot of time in nature, or do you prefer a calm life, mostly staying inside? When we have made clear what we can offer a dog, and what kind of life it will get, then we can begin to go hunting in all the various dog books, and find a race that fits the life we lead. For example, most hunting dog breeds require exercise and training. The same is true for shepherd dog breeds, which are generally very intelligent and need to be allowed to use their brain in meaningful work. They should not only be physically tired, but also mentally. They must have challenges and be allowed to solve problems in everyday life, that is what they are good at. If you are the cozy type spending a lot of time in the sofa, then you should consider looking at the smaller races, the small companion dogs. They do not require quite as much, but make no mistake, they should also be active an use their heads. A little dog should be trained as much as a big dog, otherwise it may become a menace for the family and everyone in the vicinity. Don't just buy a puppy / dog based on it's appearance. For instance a Cocker Spaniel looks very cute, but this does not alter the fact that it is essentially a hunting dog. The same goes for a Beagle, who is also incredibly cute, but it also needs to use it's hunting instincts. Instead, buy a puppy / dog based on the characteristics of the breed. The breed and the family should fit togehter, so that you have the best chance to enjoy each other. Pedigree or mixed breed? It is a question of temperament, whether you want one or the other. With a certain breed you will be able to know what you get, more or less. You can find out what the puppy will be like when it grows up to become an adult dog. How it will look and what kind of temperament it has. If you buy a mixed dog, you cannot knwo for certain how it will turn out evetually. But it may well prove to be a sweet, nice and beautiful dog. Some mistakenly believe that purebred dogs are more delicate, and have more diseases than mixed breeds. This does not the case. The fact is that breeders are doing a great job to keep "their" breed healthy, and they must meet certain requirements for health and temperament, for a dog to be involved in breeding. Diseases are registered, and carriers of a disease are avoided as breeding dogs, so that unwanted genes are not included in the breeding. Mixed dogs, by contrast, are not registered and there are no records or statistics of typical diseases. But they have no more or no less disease than purebreds. Male or bitch? Before purchasing a dog, you should consider whether you want a male dog or a bitch. The differences are not that big, but there are a few things to take into consideration. Male dogs behave much the same throughout the year, and there's no hormonal cycle to take into account. But if there's a bitch in heat in the neighborhood, then he might just try to run away. He can smell bitch in heat several kilometres away, and once he does he will do everything to get to her. You can read more about dogs in heat, mating and puppies in the page "Puppies or not?" |
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