Choosing
a Family Pet
By
Jennifer Beaucage
What
is the best dog for your family? The question
of pet selection is important, because each
breed has unique characteristics. Often, pets
are purchased on a whim at a pet store. Unfortunately
for the young animal, their 'cuteness' soon
wears off as the responsibility of caring for
a pet begins to be realized by its new owner.
Breed
selection is not the only factor to consider. You must be
careful where you buy your pet. A reputable breeder will
be able to provide you with information about the general
characteristics of size, color and overall personality that
will develop as your pet matures.
Most
dogs are mixed breeds. The mix of different breeds in a
'Heinz 57' tends to balance out the characteristics of any
one breed - creating a 'generic' dog that is often smart,
loyal and gentle in nature.
The
best approach to pet selection is to start with a list of
what you want your pet to be like and what you would like
your pet to do. If you have young children, you should select
a breed of dog that is gentle, quiet and not too protective.
Having a dog that will protect your children can be beneficial,
but overly protective dogs can be a risk to children outside
of your family.
Usually
a pet's size has little to do with the level of danger they
may present for a young child. Several of the larger breeds
are extremely gentle, quiet and of even temperament - making
great family pets for children of any age.
Golden
Retrievers and Labradors have a reputation
as the perfect family pet. They have been specifically
bred for years to be family-dogs (whereas most
other breeds are bred for a purpose other than
a family pet, such as hunting, retrieving, chasing,
security, etc.).
Keep
in mind, not all dogs fit into the perfect mold
that describes their breed. Not every Jack Russell
Terrier is energetic, and not every Golden Retriever
is good with children. Other breeds to consider
are Newfoundlands, Poodles and the
Old English Sheepdog. All of these dogs
have a good temperament and when treated well
they make extraordinary pets.
Once
you have selected the type of dog you want, look for reputable
breeders or start visiting the local animal shelter. Always
ask lots of questions and try to find people who own the
particular breed - meet them if you can and see what the
breed is like 'in-person'.
Both
of my dogs are rescued pets and they have proven to be wonderful
dogs for our family. The SPCA or local shelter is an excellent
source of information about the dogs in their care. They
also know how to properly screen and test the personality
of a dog before it goes to your home. They will be the first
to tell you if a dog is not appropriate for children.
Be aware
that every dog has limitations for poking, pulling, chasing
and squeezing. Under enough stress, any dog will react (whether
by hiding, running away, barking or worse, biting). Be sure
that your children understand that they cannot be too hard
on the dog, and ensure that you are present for all interactions.
Children under five years old should never be left in a
room alone with a pet - for the safety of them both!
Resources
for learning more about dogs online include www.dogsincanada.com
and www.ckc.ca.
Reader's Digest has an excellent article about the Top Ten
Dogs for Families on their website (www.readersdigest.ca).
Also contact your local pet store for regional clubs, which
are an excellent place to find out detailed information
on breeds and locate breeders that specialize in your breed
of choice.
Jennifer Beaucage has a Bachelor's Degree in
Business Operations and works as a self-employed
new home builder. Successful past business
ventures include the start of the Calgary
& Edmonton Pet Expos, as well as a website
design business. Visit Jennifer online at
http://members.shaw.ca/jennifer.beaucage/
