Adoption Considerations
From Dear Abby Columns-
An elderly woman who lived alone had suffered a stroke and became depressed. Her
daughter suggested she adopt an adult dog from her local shelter and reports, “This has
been one of the best decisions I have ever made. We walk every day, my depression is
beginning to wane, and I have met my neighbors. Please encourage others to adopt- not only
will they be saving the life of an animal, but he may also wind up saving theirs.”
Pairing senior dogs with senior citizens saves the lives of pets that may ordinarily get passed up. In most cases,
these older dogs are housebroken, leash trained, calm and eager for love and attention. – Ken Cohn, DVM.
Common Sense Rules-
Tempting as they are, puppies are lots of work. Of course they take constant training, which takes lots of time. If you work fulltime, a puppy may not be the best option for a pet. The last thing you want to do is become frustrated with the pup, creating a nervous, shy dog.
Beautiful and brilliant, Border Collies require daily periods of exercise. Be sure you have plenty of time for working with him if you choose one for a companion. This is true of other herding class dogs such as Catahoula, Texas Blue Lacy, and Australian Cattle dogs. A bored herding dog is unhappy and can become destructive as a result.
Terrier = lots of activity. Enough said.
Breed Types
Choosing a dog for a breed may not always work out like planned. Some purebred dogs may not act or look typical for their breed. For example, some that are typically known to be aggressive can be the sweetest lovable dogs and those that are known to be calmer can be aggressive. What you see on the outside does not always reflect the “true” gene on the inside. It all has to do with the dog’s ancestry. Whatever the outcome, this is a living creature brought to us by Our Creator. Love and compassion is the answer in case the dog you’ve chosen does not turn out to be what you envisioned.
Cross/Mixed breeds tend to have a more moderate appearance than a purebred dog. Their temperament and personality traits are more “middle of the road” making them better fit for the average household. These dogs also tend to be healthier because the risk of a possible defective gene is minimized. The only disadvantage is that their trait characteristics can be unpredictable as a result of the blending of different genes from each parent.
Purebreds are selectively bred with each dog having specific traits. These may include physical traits such as coat, color, and size as well as desired temperament and behavioral patterns. Their traits are typically more predictable than those of a mixed breed. Some purebreds have more health issues than a cross or mixed bred dog. Also, purebreds should not be guaranteed to develop the trait they were bred for such as hunting or working breeds.
Whichever dog you chose, understand that every dog has its own personality. It is up to you, the owner to be respectful of the individuality of your pet. They depend upon you for guidance, leadership, protection, and well-being. Proper training, patience and love will go a long way in obtaining a mutual respect and years of rewarding companionship.