How Much is that Doggy in the Window?

I've seen a lot this summer and it has left me wondering if people are REALLY as clueless as they seem about the pets they claim to "love" so much!  You research what kind of flat screen tv you want, whether the Wii or Playstation 3 would be a better fit for you, and what kind of car you drive.  But it seems more and more apparent that people do NOT research before buying/adopting a pet.  So I decided to write a little "guide."  I'm not an expert, but I've seen a lot in the last 5 years that I've been working with animals.  Seen many people with the wrong kind of pet, or who didn't realize what a financial commitment buying a pet REALLY is.  So here are my tips:

Shop or Adopt??? 

This is a subject of debate.  You'll see a lot of folks who say "don't shop, adopt."  I am 100% for buying a dog IF you buy from a responsible breeder and do your research first!  Carlton is a PBGV (Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen- google it).  They have a couple of rescues but it's still a pretty rare breed and finding on isn't necessarily easy.  A good breeder has just as many questions for you as you do for them! They want to know about your experience with pets or their breed, that you have a vet that you will take the pup too, etc.  They perform necessary genetic testing- like certifying hips and eyes, or checking for other diseases that may be common to the breed.  They are willing to let you see where they keep their dogs, and don't breed several different breeds!  And a good breeder is willing to take the pet back from you if for some reason you cannot keep him/her.

NEVER EVER EVER buy from a flea market, or a pet store that SELLS dogs, or even some person who has several different breeds.  Chances are you are dealing with a puppy mill, or someone who gets their puppies from a puppy mill.  Puppy mill dogs are kept in cages their entire lives, having puppy after puppy.  The puppies often have parvo, pneumonia, genetic abnormalities, and are full of parasites such as hook worms, round worms, coccidia, giardia, and fleas, ticks, and mites.  You could very well end up buying a dog for $1,000 and then spend at least that much trying to save it's life. It's also best to avoid "backyard breeders."  That's someone who just kind of decided to get two dogs of the same breed and throw them together so they can make money off of puppies.  Responsible breeders breed for betterment of the breed, not for profit.  By the time they pay for prenatal care for mom, genetic testing and certification, and sometimes even artificial insemination and c-sections, they definitely don't make a substantial profit.  Stay away from puppy mills, flea markets, pet stores, and random people breeding dogs just to make a few bucks.  It's not worth the money or the heartache.

Adoption is definitely good.  Shelters and rescues are overrun with pets that need help.  You can even find purebred dogs sometimes, because of owner surrenders.  Again, you still need to be diligent about doing your research! There are people out there who claim to be rescues, who are hoarders or puppy mill operators who  may have started out with good intentions, rescuing one or two strays with intentions of re-homing them, but letting it all get out of hand.  Keep in mind, however, that a shelter dog is NOT free.  There will surely be an adoption fee.  Dogs in shelters need electricity to keep the climate controlled, water, food, and people to take care of them.  Most will also already be spayed or neutered, given vaccines, hw tested, given dewormers, as well as receiving monthly flea/tick and heartworm prevention.  Depending on adoptablility, some will even be treated for things like heartworm disease. Depending on age, puppies will most likely need more boosters until they are of age, but adult dogs are usually good to go! If they haven't already been spayed or neutered, many places offer vouchers, which many local vets accept, to get the procedures done at a discounted price.  You can always search Petfinder.com to look to see what pets are available, or go to a PetSmart on a Saturday.  They have adoptions there with your local rescue groups.

What type of dog should I get? 

Your first decision is purebred vs mixed breed.  If you choose to get a purebred that's when you decide whether to go with a breeder, breed rescue, or possibly a shelter.  If you choose a mixed breed, then a shelter/rescue is your safest bet! Don't spend $1500 on a "designer breed."  Why? Because a designer breed is still just a mutt, only one that someone made on purpose, and is charging a ridiculous amount of money for.  I guarantee you can find plenty of labradoodles, poodle mixes, etc in the shelters.

If you've decided you want a purebred, you have to decide what breed.  This is one of the most important decisions you can make when getting a dog. Each breed has different exercise and food requirements, temperments, and even different health issues that are prone to a certain breed.  Many of the toy breed dogs that people love, such as yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas, and miniature pinschers are NOT good with children. Dogs like labradors retrievers are much bigger but generally great with children!  Some dogs will need lots of exercise and others don't need as much.  Some dogs like basset hounds can be couch potatoes while others will always be full of energy and need extra exercise to tire them out for the night.  Some breeds like pit bulls, rottweilers, american bulldogs get a bad rap.  There are mean ones out there, but that's in ANY breed.  They are breeds that should only be owned by an experienced owner, but they can be great family pets.  then there are health issues.  Golden retrievers, basset hounds, labs, cocker spaniels and others tend to have ear infections.  Large dogs like labradors, German shepherds, etc tend to suffer from a painful condition called hip dysplasia as well as arthritis.  The list of health problems differs from breed to breed, and there is no guarantee that each dog will get the disease, but it's one of the things you should research.  Animal Planet has a breed selector on their website.  It's not perfect, but you answer 10 questions and they rate breeds based on your answers.  Check it out here..


What does dog ownership REALLY cost???


1) Medical Care
Puppies get vaccines every 3 weeks until a certain age, depending on when they started.  Generally they get 3 or 4 boosters for distemper/parvo, 1 rabies, and 1 bordetella vaccine.  You should definitely get your pet spayed or neutered.  In tact females can get pyometra- a nasty infection of the uterus which can kill them.  Males can have prostate issues, as well as aggression problems and behavioral issues such as "marking their territory" in your house.  Every dog should also be on a monthly flea/tick control and heart worm prevention (even "inside dogs" haven't you ever been bitten by a mosquito indoors? Mosquitoes transmit heart worms).

You should also think about unexpected expenses.  Illness, broken bones, etc can run up a healthy bill.  Many vets take care credit, but you want to be prepared for the possibility.  Most pets even have to have a dental at some point. This procedure is done under anesthesia and will prevent the spread of bacteria from the mouth to internal organs like the heart and kidneys.


2) Grooming
Every breed needs some type of grooming. Whether it's as simple as weekly brushing and occasional baths or  a dog who requires more frequent brushing and even trims.  Many people who own long haired breeds such as the Shih Tzu opt to keep them in a "puppy cut" to make them easier to maintain.  You may decide to invest in clippers and learn to groom your dog on your own, or just take him to the groomer on a regular basis.  Right now as a broke vet student, I don't have lots of money for grooming, so I trim my dogs up at home, and since I like Beaux shaved now, I bought a set of clippers so that I can remove the hair again when it grows back.  Don't think of grooming as purely cosmetic! It also keeps your pet healthy by preventing painful mats, and allows you to notice if there is any skin irritation that may need to be looked at by your vet.


3) Food
I am the first to admit that I am a FOOD SNOB when it comes to my pets.  My dogs (and future cat) eat Blue Buffalo.  it's an all natural brand that has no corn or wheat, no glutens, no soy, and no artificial preservatives.  I make personal sacrifices to feed this food to them because it is more expensive.  However, i do understand that every one can't afford to feed Blue, which is fine.  But please, for your pet's sake, stay away from Dog Chow, Alpo, Pedigree, Ol Roy (only sold at Walmart), Lil Ceasar's, Mighty Dog, and Beneful.  There's lots of better brands out there.  If you have to shop at Walmart or Target, go for the Iams or Purina One.  Those are the best they have.  At Petsmart there is Purina Proplan, Eukanuba, and a few other brands that are less expensive.  But honestly, go for something like Blue Buffalo some of the other more natural brands.  If you use higher quality foods you feed less of it, you get less poop (everyone loves less dog poop) and often your dog looks better- nicer coat and skin.  Whatever you feed, choose the formula that is right for your pet.  Many foods have large/small breed formulas, as well as diets for sensitive stomachs, skin, older dogs, or pets who need to lose weight.


4) Training

EVERY DOG NEEDS TRAINING.  Let me say that again.  EVERY DOG NEEDS TRAINING. They should be socialized as puppies, but this can still be done if you adopt an adult from a shelter.  Take them to PetSmart (I'd avoid going too many places until a puppy has at least 2 sets of distemper/parvo vaccines), the park, family members' houses.  Expose them to different sounds, delivery trucks, umbrellas, children, men, women, different races (yes they can tell the difference), people in wheel chairs, big dogs, small dogs.  A puppy class is a great way to start learning basic commands, get info on potty training, and start socializing your dog.  PetSmart and Petco both offer training classes but if you don't have one near you, try your local pet store or see if there is a private trainer in your area.  Believe me, a well behaved dog makes for a happier family!   Most of the dogs who are turned in to shelters are brought there because of behavior problems, all of which could be avoided.


5) Pet sitters/boarding
I love to take my dogs with me when I go home for weekends, holidays, and this summer we are here at home.  Sometimes you can't take them everywhere you go.  You may have a friend or family member who loves your dogs and would be willing to watch them for you.  But when that isn't an option there are pet sitters and boarding facilities.  To board your dog they usually have to be caught up on bordetella (kennel cough), distemper/parvo, and rabies (required EVERYWHERE BY LAW) vaccines.  If you ever plan to travel, you will have to make arrangements for your pets.  You can take them with you if they are small, but sometimes the price of the ticket plus the stress isn't worth it.

So these were just a few tips to help people who may want to get a dog.  Think people.  It's a recession.  If you are already struggling to pay your bills, do NOT get a dog.  They are living beings who have needs, and if you can't meet your own you shouldn't try to get another life that needs taking care of... just wait until you are able.