How to Choose a Dog

The following are four possible answers to the question, "How can I find the best dog for me?" Which do you agree with?

1. Go to a dog show and ask the exhibitors.

2. Find an active breeder of a breed you are interested in, and inquire.

3.When you see someone walking a dog you admire, strike up conversation and ask about the dog.

4. Go to the head of the class. People are defenders of their possessions, with children and pets heading the list. It is a rare exhibitor, breeder, or pet owner who does not extol the virtues of his or her dog's breed.

Make a list of dog breeds you're interested in, and ask a veterinarian about the problems presented by that breed. Pose those same questions to an impartial consultant, such as a local dog control officer,dog trainer, or kennel operator. And remember that ultimately only you can decide whether or not you can live with the drawbacks of a particular breed or dog.

Veterinarians are frequently asked about mongrels, or mutts, or curs (the latter should not be confused with the Mountain Cur, a breed of coon - hound). The disadvantage in getting one of these lies in the fact that it is difficult to predict what a mixed breed pup will turn into as an adult. On the other hand, mongrels are free of many of the inherited problems that plague purebreds (ironically, since many of these problems are recessive, it is often difficult to predict what a purebred will look like as an adult, despite the purebred's controlled parentage). There lissome evidence that hybrid vigor in the mongrel produces more disease resistant offspring. In our practice we find a larger percentage of trouble - free mongrels than of purebreds.

When we are asked, "What kind of dog do you recommend, Doctor?" we reply with a series of questions.

Do you want a giant, large, medium, small, or toy size?

Do you want a long, medium, or short coat?

Do you have a color preference?

Do you want a companion or a dog that will perform some function,such as hunting, racing, pulling a wagon, and so on, or both?

Choose the kind of dog breed that is suitable to your needs.