SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS RELATIVE TO THE ACQUISITION/ADOPTION OF A DOG AS A PET

As promised, let us this week look at some specific considerations associated with choosing a dog as your companion animal. These are crucial issues to ensure that you have covered all the possible consequences of pet ownership and not be forced to return it – or worse, that you get rid of your newly acquired pet in a way that, shall we say, is inimical to its interests.

Consideration #1: SIZE/ SPACE
Should you choose a large dog or a small dog? All puppies are relatively small, and you may not be aware of the potential of the puppy you selected from the Shelter to grow into a huge dog. There is a pearl of conventional wisdom that dictates that you look at the dog’s paws. If they are big, the dog will be big. I tend to advise that you look at the parents of the pup. When that pup grows up it is unlikely that it would be much larger than its father if it’s a male, or larger than the mother, if is a female. If uncertain, consult your veterinarian or a certified breeder. If the dog is a pure breed, then your job is simple. The dog will grow all things being equal – health, nutrition, medication, etc.) to the size that is standard for that breed.

Size is also an important consideration according to the home in which you live. It would not make too much sense under our local conditions to keep a large dog indoors. (One wonders whether this would be sensible under any condition). If we are going to keep a canine companion animal indoors in a small house, then let’s look for a small dog. Large dogs would need yard space with sturdy and high fences. Males, scenting females in heat, would go over, under and through weak, symbolic fences.
Please remember that dogs need to run around freely. It is cruelty to an animal if it is tied to one spot for long periods of time. It is also illegal.

Consideration #2: TIME
Do you have enough time to exercise your dog (playing with it, taking it for walks, etc.)? Do you have the time (and patience) to groom your canine ward, and perhaps manually extract ticks and fleas from its coat? What about the time needed to take your pet to the vet for its immunization and dewormings? Will you spend some time daily training your pet?

Consideration #3: COST
In choosing a dog as your pet, you should think of the cost associated with its care. Feed costs can be high, especially with large dogs. A very large active dog may require between eight and ten pounds of dry feed daily.
Then there are the veterinary costs, e.g. vaccinations, dewormings, anti-ectoparasitic and skin treatments. If it is a female you may wish to spay her (removal of the ovaries and womb so that she will not continue to present you, during the mating season, with her beaus and litter after unwanted litter. You may also wish to consider neutering your male canine pet (removal of the testicles).

Consideration #4: DOMESTIC EXPECTATIONS
If you have a lot (or even one) of young energetic children in the home, can you condition them away from the belief that their new furry friend is not a bouncing ball? Have you chosen a puppy that can tolerate some rough play? And if you have chosen an adorable fun-ball, can you accept (with equanimity) its not-so-adorable “bad” habits and general mischief. Do you have the necessary patience? Is the entire family desirous of the furry addition to the household?
You must know whether you would prefer a vivacious ball of energy or a dog with a more relaxed temperament.

Consideration #5: HEALTH
When you are choosing your puppy from the litter, it would be advisable to select a puppy thvbvat has clear alert eyes and a cool moist nose. Ideally, the puppy should be energetic and lively, demonstrating significant vitality. It must not show signs of lethargy, slinking away from approaching humans and tending to hide itself in a secluded spot. The coat must be soft, smooth and glossy. In the area of the anus, there should be no signs of diarrhoea (pasted hair, discolouration) etc. Bones (ribs, pelvic bones) should not be visible, and the legs should not show sign of rickets (bowed or X-shaped legs). There should be no watery or purulent discharge from the nostrils or eyes. A good rule-of-thumb is to throw a bundle of keys (or anything that makes some unaccustomed noise) into the middle of the litter. Consider taking one of those puppies that immediately investigate the keys and not one of those which shrieks and runs away.

Consideration #6: RELIGION
The column has no interest in getting in a debate about belief fixations. Similarly, we do not wish to provoke dissent within a family group. However, I am advised that some religious tenets forbid dogs from being inside a house. I suppose hygiene is the primary issue. Next week we will discuss the pros and cons of keeping a dog in the house or in a kennel outside.