Choosing Your First Dog

CHOOSING YOUR FIRST PET DOG (*1) "Happpiness is a warm puppy (Charles M. Schulz) In the UK, dogs are the third most popular pet 8.5 million to own behind pond people in the UK own a pet dog *2 fish and tank fish*2 3rd CHOOSING YOUR FIRST PET DOG Make sure you're ready to own your first dog. Not only will ownership require time, love and care, you'll also incur financial costs for: BILLS Food and treats Vets bills Vaccinations Medication Toys Insurance Equiptment Training classes If you're definitely committed then you're ready to choose a dog that's right for you. CONSIDERATIONS V SIZE SMALL DOGS Popular Breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Dachshund, Poodle, Chihuahua, Pug, Boston Terrier, Maltese, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer ! Easy to carry Big Personalities Need Plenty of Exercise Prone to Adorable Require less space feeling cold MEDIUM DOGS Popular Breeds: Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Basset Hound, Border Collie, Bull Terrier, Whippet, Boxer Great family companions More active than smaller dogs Require moderate amounts of exercise Cost more overall than smaller dogs LARGE DOGS Popular Breeds: Great Dane, Dalmatian, Afghan Hound, Bloodhound, Doberman, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Greyhound Less fragile than small dogs Incur higher insurance premiums Great for Good with children Tend to protection eat more V ACTIVITY LEVEL HIGH-ENERGY BREEDS Airedale Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Harrier, Jack Russell, Pointer, American Foxhound, Border Collie, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter LOW-ENERGY BREEDS Sh Tzu, Saint Bernard, Bulldog, Chinook, Basset, Hound, Chow Chow, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bullmastiff Irish Wolfhou French PHYSICAL MAINTENANCE It's important to ask yourself the following questions when choosing a dog breed; will the dog: Require plenty of grooming? Require a lot of exercise? Moult Have Be prone to certain infections? Drool regularly? frequently? temperament issues? Make sure you research these areas before making any purchase. V AGE A PUPPY AN ADULT DOG A SENIOR DOG watch the can easily adapt to any new surroundings great companions if you're looking for a low-energy dog puppy develop into adult life PROS requires the greatest amount of training, attention, and may require further training from previous more likely to develop health problems owner or home CONS patience V BREED PUREBRED CROSSBRED (with documented lineage back to specific ancestors) 3 (intentionally bred from two or more known breeds) 3 • Are healthier than purebreds • Purebreds make up around 75% of all pet dogs in the UK*4 • Can be cheaper than purebreds • There are around 700 breeds of purebred dogs in the world *5 • Have unpredictable personality traits (*6 and *7) Whichever breed you choose, make sure you love and look after your very first dog. In doing so you'll build a strong bond with your new pet and discover why they are one of the UK's most loved animals. SOURCES 1. Goodreads, Quotes About Dogs: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/dogs 2. PFMA, Pet Population 2013 (Findings based on two year study): http://www.pfma.org.uk/pet-population/ 3. Happiness is pets, What is a Purebred dog? - http://www.happinessispets.com/chicago-puppy-blog 13-dog-breeds/14-what-is-a-purebred-dog- 4. Pedigree Dogs Exposed: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/pedigree-dogs-exposed/ Coops 6. Top 5 Facts About Mutts: http://voices.yahoo.com/top-5-facts-m 7. The Daily Puppy. Facts About Mixed Dogs: http://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/mixed-dogs-2311.html 8. About.com, The Cost of Dog Owmership: http://dogs.about.com/od/becomingadogowner/a/costofdogs.htm 9. Pedigree Dogs Exposed: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/pedigree-dogs-exposed/ 10. About.com, Cages, Top 50 Dog Facts: http://www.coopsandcages.com.au/blog/dog-information/top-50-dog-facts/ -mutts-11594838.html?cat=D4 5. Small Dog Breeds: http://dogs.about.com/od/dogbreeds/tp/top_small_breeds.htm 11. Dogs um-dog-breeds.html 12. Dog time, Low-energy dog breeds: http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/characteristic_lists/low-energy-dogs 13. High-energy dog breeds: http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/characteristic_lists/high-energy-dogs 14. Happiness is pets, What is a Purebred dog? - http://www.happinessispets.com/chicago-pup py-blog 13-dog-breeds/14-what-is-a-purebred-dog- and Dog Advice, Training, Breeds, Names, Care and More: http://www.dogs-and-dog-advice.com/medi GJW TITMUSSE