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Dogs
March 18, 2000
Caroline Holland
If you already have a dog, are considering adding one to your family, or you just like dogs, the Internet is a great tool to research your canine choice. With only a few steps you can view pictures of more breeds than you can imagine.
Researching a dog before buying it is the best way to ensure that you and your dog have compatible interests. Not all breeds are well suited to all environments and not all people are suited to all breeds. Getting the most happiness and satisfaction from your canine involves some personality and lifestyle matching.
Some basic considerations to think about before adding a dog to your family: purpose of the dog, level of activity, size of the dog, available space and financial considerations. A site that offers information on a wide variety of topics is http://www.canismajor.com/dog/decis.html.
Knowing what you expect of a dog will influence the kind of dog you acquire. Do you have a specific purpose such as hunting or protection? Or do you want one that will take on the role of companion or friend?
Level of activity is an important consideration. If you have an active lifestyle you may find your canine match among the Sporting Dogs, for example in a Lab or a Weimaraner. These dogs love exercise and need to be exercised fairly vigourously.
If you prefer a less active lifestyle, you may want to consider a more sedentary breed like a Saint Bernard. While all dogs require exercise, these dogs tend to demand less.
With the number of breeds available today, finding a dog in the size range you like should not be difficult. Do you want a small Chihuahua, a medium Collie, large German Shepherd, or an en extra large Great Dane? Remember, though, that size is not an indicator of temperament.
An easy way to view different dog breeds is to utilize the site at http://www.ckc.ca, which provides both photographs and additional information. The size of your breed choice may or may not be related to your physical living situation. Although it requires a little more creativity and energy, it is possible to have a large canine live happily in a smaller space.
Another personal decision is shedding. How much shedding can you survive? For allergy sufferers there are breeds that are virtually non-shedding. The Bichons Frises or Poodles, for example, shed less than a heavily shedding breed like the Puli. The Dogs In Canada magazine is a good source of information and is available online at http://www.dogs.in.canada.ca.
Cost may be a deciding factor. Although some dogs may cost many thousands of dollars, there are alternatives if you are on a tight budget. Animal shelters have a variety of dogs, many of which have ended up there through no fault of their own. Some shelters now have online services where you can look at available dogs such as at the London Humane Society (http://www3.sympatico.ca/london.humane.society/).
Regardless of your breed choice, if you have chosen a dog that matches your lifestyle, you will not be disappointed! It is truly a wonderful feeling to come home to a wet nose and doggie kisses!
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