PLEASE DON'T LET IMPULSIVENESS
LEAD TO A CHRISTMAS PUPPY!!

Puppies are cute, puppies are cuddly. But they all grow up to be adult dogs. Buying a puppy in the emotion of the holiday season can be a ticket to 15 years of frustration or worse ... a lifetime of neglect for the puppy.

CONSIDERATIONS TO PONDER ...

- Before buying/adopting a puppy or dog, consider the needs and expenses of pet ownership for the lifetime of a pet ... often 15-17 years.

ASK YOURSELF & FAMILY ....
- Do we have time to feed, groom, exercise and properly train a puppy or dog?

- Can we afford the expense of high-quality food, regular veterinary care, proper equipment for daily maintenance and prof'l grooming ... and boarding while vacationing?

-  Are we willing to commit to several exercise periods daily, as well as social interactions and care. Work and travel schedules may need to be altered, or you may need to arrange care for your dog with pet sitters or a reliable kennel.

SELECTION OF SIZE, TYPE, TEMPERAMENT, ACTIVITY LEVEL:
 Different breed types lend themselves to different personalities and daily care needs.

SIZE:  Are you ready to deal with the size a puppy will grow into?  Are you aware that pet store pups may be represented to be smaller than they will actually become?   Do you have the time, space and energy to deal with a pet that needs daily exercise ... no matter how small it is?

TEMPERAMENT:  The temperament of the pet needs to match the whole family.  If you have small children, you will not want to endanger either the children with a small dog which typically learns to bite in self-defense.   

ENVIRONMENT:  Look at your lifestyle, housing space available and physical needs.   Activity level, sociability, tendency toward being territorial and obedience level varies greatly among breeders and individual dogs.. Learn what is typical for the breed you are considering.  Study the individual puppy's background.  Talk with owners of that breed.  Meet the parents of the puppy to observe their temperament and energy level. Most puppies are best adopted from the litter at between 10 and 12 weeks of age.

COAT CARE:  All coats do best with regular brushing, but longer coats require mandatory care. Many dogs need regular grooming care and trimming. 

HEALTH PROBLEMS:    All breeds have some specific health challenges.  Hip dysplasia, early onset glaucoma, diabetes, patella problems are very common problem in many breeds.  Be prepared mentally and financiallly to deal with health challenges.

IMMEDIATELY UPON PURCHASE/ADOPTION:   Check the pet for abnormal eye or nose discharge, diarrhea, poor coat or poor body condition. Have any selected pet checked by your veterinarian within the first few days of arrival.