The first thing to consider when contemplating adding a pet to your family is the reason for doing so. Hopefully, you have considered the time and facilities you have available to share with an animal and are committed to keeping your pet for the duration of its life.
Purebred animals basically conform to breed size and disposition, although every animal is an individual. Mixed breeds will often surprise us as they grow and develop into adults that rarely resemble their juvenile appearance.
There are advantages to mixed breeds as far as some health conditions, which are inherent in some purebred dogs and cats. If you are interested in a purebred pet, research the breed extensively, don't be an impulse buyer. Contact the breed club and ask for a list of approved breeders and interview them. Ask for references and examine their contracts carefully.
If you were applying for a job that required your commitment for 10-15 years you would make sure that job was something you could live with for that length of time. Your pet requires the same kind of commitment.
A dog will not thrive in a situation where he is deprived of human contact. They are pack animals and need to be a part of a family. When you take a dog from it's canine family you must provide the same structure. A cat on the other hand is more independent of humans and more environment oriented. They typically have more difficulty changing homes than changing companions
Consider what your breed of choice was bred to do. Working dogs were bred to be of service and need to have a job. They also need to feel successful at their job. Obedience training is essential to building a positive relationship. Herding dogs will instinctually herd anything, if you have small children, chickens, or other pets that may be a consideration. Hounds tend to work independently and have a mind of their own. Some tend to howl and dig, if they can't hunt or dig for prey in the field they may redesign your garden, again an instinctive behavior. If you don't want dog hair in the pool maybe a Labrador wouldn't be the best choice. You can be sure a retriever will definitely avail him or herself of the water.
Life span may be an issue for you. The giant breeds have consistently shorter life spans than smaller dogs.
Coat type is one of the most overlooked points considered when looking at a breed. Persian and longhaired cats are irresistible as kittens but require regular grooming and a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner. That cute Poodle puppy is going to require ongoing professional grooming and that adorable German Shepherd with his huge floppy ears is going to shed a wooly undercoat and long top hair twice a year. All pets need attention to their nails and teeth on a regular basis.
Some breeds are so altered by humans that we've subjected them to health conditions. The Cocker Spaniels for example have heavy hanging ear leather that predisposes them to ear infections. German Shepherds have been so overbred for rear angulation that hip displaysia and cruciate ligament problems are common conditions. Persian cats have been bred with such flat faces that the nose interferes with the tear production and drainage. So unless you want to deal with cleaning eye stain and heavy coat care look for another breed. The elegant Siamese has a voice that resembles a crying infant and a personality more like that of a dog.
Is this starting to sound onerous? Good, this is just the beginning. Forewarned is forearmed. So, with all this commitment business, to say nothing of the financial responsibility why would we even look at adding a pet to our lives?
If you already share your life with a pet you know the answer, if you haven't yet taken that step, no one can really explain it to you. You don't understand yet how unconditional love can touch your soul, how it can make you a better person or allow you to love yourself. Just wait until you find yourself laughing out loud at antics designed to entertain and involve you, or comforted by the touch of a cold nose and imploring eyes.......then you'll understand.
Is this starting to sound onerous? Good, this is just the beginning. Forewarned is forearmed. So, with all this commitment business, to say nothing of the financial responsibility why would we even look at adding a pet to our lives?
If you already share your life with a pet you know the answer, if you haven't yet taken that step, no one can really explain it to you. You don't understand yet how unconditional love can touch your soul, how it can make you a better person or allow you to love yourself. Just wait until you find yourself laughing out loud at antics designed to entertain and involve you, or comforted by the touch of a cold nose and imploring eyes.......then you'll understand.
