Finding the right breed for me

Finding the right breed for me

Choosing a pet is no simple task.  Multiple factors will influence you decision.  It is a decision that should not be taken lightly.  It is a commitment on your behalf to welcome new being into your life, a companion, perhaps even a protector of your loved ones.  

Once the choice has been made that a dog is the right pet for your needs and wants, next comes choosing the right breed.  A dogs breed and its characteristics are unique, just as the patterns on a snowflake. 

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Do you really, really want a dog?!
Do you really want a dog? Do you want to wake up early on a cozy Sunday morning, and take him out in the rain? After all, he needs his exercise. Are you ready to spend as much time as you can with him?

Are you prepared for the lifestyle impact, the financial impact, and grooming considerations? Hmmmm… Are you up for cleaning up various messes? Getting up in the middle of the night with a sick dog?

Whether it's a puppy, adult, or senior dog you're considering adopting, the newness soon wears off, and then you're left with a loving companion for, hopefully, many years to come.

Why do you want a dog?
In deciding what type of dog you should get, consider what you're looking for in your future pet. Is he going to be a fun playmate for the children, or is his main job going to be to accompany an older person on quiet walks? Do you want him to go jogging with you, or is he going to be guarding the house? 

THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU

Deciding what kind of dog to get is as important as deciding whether to get a dog in the first place. The AKC recognizes over 160 different breeds of dog, and each of these breeds has its own unique temperament, appearance, activity level and set of needs. You should do some serious and careful research to determine which breed of dog is right for you and your family.

• TEMPERAMENT

You're going to be living with this dog for a long time, so you need to make sure he has a personality you can live with. Do you want a dog that is active, or subdued? A dog that is easily trained, or strong-willed? A dog that is friendly to everyone he meets, or one that is loyal to family but aloof toward strangers? A dog that needs a lot of attention from family members, and lots of activity to prevent him from becoming bored and destructive, or a dog that is content to be left alone for periods of time during the day?

• SIZE

All little puppies are adorable, of course, but they grow quickly-and some of them grow a lot. Find out how large-in height and weight-that cute puppy will become before you bring him home. Remember that larger dogs require more food and space-is your yard or living room big enough to meet his needs? And keep in mind that some little dogs still need lots of room to run around and burn off energy.

• COAT/GROOMING NEEDS

All dogs need to be groomed regularly to stay healthy and clean; most dogs will shed. But some dogs shed profusely all year round; some shed in clumps for a few weeks; some dogs shed only a little bit. Long-coated dogs are beautiful to look at, but require a lot of effort to stay that way. Short-coated dogs are easier to care for, but may still shed, and may require protection in cold or wet weather. Dogs with fancy trims may need professional grooming. Decide how much dog hair you're willing to put up with, and how much time and energy you can afford, when you're deciding which breed is right for you.

• MALE OR FEMALE

In general, there is no significant difference in temperament between male and female dogs. If you are getting a dog for a pet, you will want to have your dog spayed or neutered, which will eliminate most minor differences anyway. If you plan to show or breed your dog, you must be vigilant about preventing unwanted breedings by keeping your intact male safely confined to your house or yard, and by keeping your intact female away from other dogs when she comes into heat twice yearly.

• PUPPY OR ADULT

The advantage of getting a puppy-aside from its irresistible cuteness-is that you can raise it by yourself from the beginning, and participate in its training and socialization every step of the way. The disadvantage is that training a puppy requires a great deal of time and patience. Busy families should keep in mind that puppies cannot be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. They need plenty of trips outside, frequent meals, and lots of interaction with people. Adult dogs-whether purchased directly from a breeder or adopted from a rescue group-can be ideal for people who want a dog with fewer needs. Mature dogs tend to be calmer; some are already house-trained and know some basic obedience.

• HEALTH

Some breeds may be prone to hereditary diseases or conditions. Many breeds can be screened for certain conditions, such as hip or eye problems; this certification should be available to you when you go to look at a puppy. Being educated about the health considerations of your chosen breed can help you to avoid or alleviate future problems.

• PET INSURANCE

Being a responsible owner means considering your dog's lifelong health care needs, whether for preventive care or for unexpected accidents, injuries and illnesses that could happen at any time, however well you look after your dog. It is sensible to consider planning for these.

START YOUR SEARCH

Have you made a checklist of the characteristics you're looking for?You may also consider visiting an All-Breed Dog Show. This will give you an opportunity to view firsthand virtually every breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. In addition to seeing a variety of dogs, you will have a chance to talk with dedicated breeders, people concerned with the welfare and advancement of their chosen breed. You can learn a lot from these knowledgeable and dedicated folks, who can also lead you to breeders of the particular breed in the area. Go to the AKC's Event Search to find an upcoming event in your area.

The following selection quizzes may give you an idea of what breed is suited for your needs, if you do not already have one in mind: 

 http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findabreed/

http://www.akc.org/find-a-match/#slide1

http://www.animalplanet.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html

http://www.woofipedia.com/discover/breed-selector

GOOD LUCK!!!! 

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Thank you to:
 www.akc.org
www.pedigree.com
     For source information   

Pet Hurricane Preparedness 2015

Pet Hurricane Preparedness 

2015

 As we begin to make preparations for the 2015 Hurricane season we must not forget about our GSD's or pets in general.  We will look at some tips, good practices and links to other helpful resources.  You may also find helpful information in our earlier blog post at : 

  http://konkurrenzloskennel.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-keep-your-dogs-pets-safe-during.html

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  To-Do List for Protecting Your Pets in a Disaster

Start getting ready now

I - ID your pet >>

• Make sure that your cat or dog is wearing a collar and identification that is up to date and visible at all times. You'll increase your chances of being reunited with a lost pet by having him or her microchipped.If your pet is adopted from a shelter or rescue organization, make sure the registration has been transferred to you and is not still with the adoption group.
• Put your cell phone number on your pet's tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area—in case you have had to evacuate.

II - Put together your disaster kit >>

 The Basic disaster should include, but not limited to:

1. Food and water for at least five days for each pet, bowls and a manual can opener if you are packing canned pet food. People need at least one gallon of water per person per day. While your pet may not need that much, keep an extra gallon on hand to use if your pet has been exposed to chemicals or flood waters and needs to be rinsed.
2. Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container and a first-aid kit. A pet first-aid book is also a good idea.
3. Cat litter box, litter, litter scoop and garbage bags to collect all your pets' waste.
4. Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can't escape. Carriers should be large enough to allow your pet to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. (Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours at a time.) Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller pets—who may also need blankets or towels for bedding and warmth as well as special items, depending on their species.
5. Current photos of you with your pets and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated—and to prove that they are yours once you're reunited.
6. Written information about your pets' feeding schedules, medical conditions and behavior issues along with the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.

Other useful items include:

• CONTRA FLOW EVACUATION ROUTE MAPS
• Newspapers
• Paper towels
• Plastic trash bags
• Grooming items
• Household bleach

III - Find a safe place to stay ahead of time >>

Some communities have groups that have solely focused on providing emergency sheltering for pets, and other communities simply don’t have the resources. That's why you should never assume that you will be allowed to bring your pet to an emergency shelter.

Before disaster hits call your local office of emergency management to see if you will be allowed to evacuate with your pets and that there will be shelters that take people and their pets in your area. And just to be safe, track down a pet-friendly safe place for your family and pets.

 Find a pet-friendly hotel or motel:

• Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to find out if they accept pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Inquire if the "no pet" policies would be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy, and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.  The following are some online resources for pet-friendly hotels:  

Bringfido.com
Dogfriendly.com
Doginmysuitcase.com
Pet-friendly-hotels.net
Pets-allowed-hotels.com
Petswelcome.com
Tripswithpets.com

 

• Make arrangements with friends or relatives. Ask people outside the immediate area if they would be able to shelter you and your pets—or just your pets—if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may need to arrange to house them at separate locations.
• Consider a kennel or veterinarian's office. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies (include their 24-hour telephone numbers).
• As a last resort, ask your local animal shelter.  Some shelters may be able to provide foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. But shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched to their limits during an emergency.

Plan for your pet in case you're not home

A disaster or evacuation order may come when you're out of the house.

• Make arrangements well in advance for a trusted neighbor or nearby friend or family member to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure the person is comfortable with your pets and your pets are familiar with him or her. Give your emergency caretaker a key to your home and show her or him where your pets are likely to be (or hide) and where your disaster supplies are kept.
• If you use a pet-sitting service, it may be able to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

III - If you evacuate, take your pet >>

1. Rule number one: If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. Even if you think you will only be gone for a few hours, take your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able—or allowed—to go back for your pets.  Pets left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed. Those left inside your home can escape through storm-damaged areas, such as broken windows. And pets turned loose to fend for themselves are likely to become victims of exposure, starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, or accidents. Leaving dogs tied or chained outside in a disaster is a death sentence.
2. Rule number two: Evacuate early. Don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. Some people who have waited to be evacuated by emergency officials have been told to leave their pets behind.The smell of smoke, high winds or lightening may make your pet more fearful and   difficult to load into a crate or carrier. Evacuating before conditions become severe will keep everyone safer and make the process less stressful.

IV - If you stay home, do it safely >>

If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Make that safe area animal friendly:

• Close off or eliminate unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened cats may try to hide.
• Move dangerous items such as tools or toxic products that have been stored in the area.

Be sure to close your windows and doors, stay inside, and follow the instructions from your local emergency management office.

• Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say trouble is on the way. Keep pets under your direct control; if you have to evacuate, you will not have to spend time trying to find them. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification.
• If you have a room you can designate as a "safe room," put your emergency supplies in that room in advance, including your pet's crate and supplies. Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies. If there is an open fireplace, vent, pet door, or similar opening in the house, close it off with plastic sheeting and strong tape.
• Listen to the radio periodically, and don't come out until you know it's safe.

STAY SAFE AND INFORMED

You can find further information on general hurricane preparedness at : 

 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

 This handy brochure can be downloaded at:
http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/pets_brochure.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 Thank You to the following site for source information: 

 http://www.humanesociety.org