Which breed?

I've had dogs all my life, big ones, small ones, ones with impressive lineage and one with questionable origins. Which breed fits whom is generally a very personal choice and liking, developed over time. I personally have observed that most people have 'favorites', a particular breed that they stick to and recommend over all others

Types of dogs:

Broadly, according to size:

Large dogs - Can be classified either according to height or weight. Typically, dogs that are 25 inches or taller or those that weigh more than 50 pounds are included in this category.

Examples include: Rotweilers, Labrador Retrievers, Saint Bernards
Specific requirements: Need plenty of exercise!










Medium-sized dogs - usually 16 to 24 inches tall, with weight ranging from 25 to 50 pounds.

Examples include: Cocker Spaniels and Bassett Hounds









Small dogs - usually have a weight ranging between 1 to 25 pounds. Most small dogs also fall under the 'Toy dog' category.

Examples include: Chihuahuas, Maltese, Pugs, Pomeranian



















*the photographs above are among the popular ones that come up on an image search for the breed; there are some really adorable ones, go ahead and Google the breed that interest you!


Doggie Basics: Things to know!

Essentials

-Exercise: Big dogs need a lot of exercise. If you don't have the time / inclination or space to give it to your pet, consider keeping a smaller breed

-Companionship: All dogs love human company. If you don't have the time to be with him / her or intend to lock your pet at home till you get back from work, please dont get a dog. Fish or cat make more sense in that case because a dog left alone all day will be miserable. This will also make your pet irritable and aggressive.

-Temperament: Some dogs are known for being more tolerant with children (e.g: Labradors), some have been bred for guarding (e.g: Doberman). Please evaluate the breed specifics and requirements as well as your own requirements before acquiring one, to ensure that the dog is the best possible fit in your life. Keep in mind that there are exceptions to everything, so you could find a ferocious lab or a meek Doberman. It is advisable to research the breed before acquiring a specimen.

Generally, small dogs tend to be more short tempered and irritable. This is probably because they need to assert themselves more strongly than a big dog to be taken seriously.

With my Rottweiler, most people told me to not even consider keeping one. I've seen her parents over the years and so i knew from experience that those two in particular aren't as bad as popular opinion generally makes the dog appear. On researching the breed (net, books, breeders), I was amazed at how much information I found to the contrary. A Rottweiler to most people conjures up this monster from Omen, with a crazed look in his eye, drooling, fangs bared and just waiting for a chance to rip you to shreds. This is a sample of what the net throws up on the breed:

The Rottweiler is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment. He has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rottweiler/index.cfm

The Rottie is calm, trainable, courageous, and devoted to their owner and family. They have a reliable temperament. Protective, he will defend his family fiercely. TSerious, steady and confident. Firm and careful training is essential for this breed, otherwise you may end up with a very powerful and overly aggressive dog. Yet they can, with proper handling, also be loyal, loving and very rewarding companions. The Rottie is a natural guard dog with a mellow temperament. They are highly intelligent and have proven their worth beyond question in police, military, and customs work over many centuries. When the Rottweiler is consistently brought up and trained, it will be a good playmate for the children. It will accept cats and other household pets as long as the dog has had a positive experience with them while it was young. Friends and relatives of the family are normally enthusiastically welcomed. Strangers can get no further than the sidewalk.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/rottweiler.htm

Takeaway: Research the breed instead of relying on the opinion of people who don't have any first hand knowledge or experience. Read up on the breed, meet people who have kept the breed and if at all possible spend some time with a few dogs of the same breed (few, not just 1 because that would give you a more accurate idea of temprament etc.

Basics: Food / Water / Shelter

Food
Balance is the key! Almost anything goes as long as nutrition and quantity are adequately monitored

- Quantity: Keep in mind that a large dog eats as much as a human adult. If low expenditure is a major consideration, medium and small breeds make more affordable pets

- Veg / Non-veg: Evolution has designed them to be meat-eaters, and bones help them prevent dental problems. Non-vegetarian need not be the primary food, added in small quantities it usually works as well. If you must give only vegetarian food, ensure that it is a well - balanced meal

- Avoid sweets - can cause their hair to fall. Recent studies have also shown that dogs can get diabetes (I'm not really sure how that works, but so they say)

-Store-bought / Home made: Each to his own! Store-bought dog food has the right mix of nutrients but is much more expensive than the food prepared at home. Provided the home-cooked food has the appropriate balance of nutrients, it usually works as well. I personally prefer the home-food over the store bought one since it allows me more flexibilty and options

Suggestions: Home made food
- Porridge boiled with vegetables and meat
- Rotis (Indian bread) / Wheat Bread with few pieces of meat boiled in lots of water.
- The above with eggs / milk etc

-Quantity: differs according to breed and size. The local pet store would be able to recommend the bowl of the appropriate size. Most dogs are greedy, especially when faced with their favorite meal. It becomes difficult to figure the appropriate quantity when he / she gobbles it up and looks at you for more!

Rule of thumb: Remove the bowl if while eating, if a dog steps away for a bit / moves away / leaves the bowl / lifts his head sighs n then goes back to eating - hes had enough! A hungry dog will not leave his bowl till hes had his full. A greedy one will think about it for a split second and then go back to eating!

Number of feeds: An adult dog can be fed once or twice a day, depending on owner preference. As with humans, it is better to give 2 small meals than one large one

Pups: Pups under 3 months need to be feed 4 times a day. That is gradually reduced to 3 and then 2 as the dog reaches adulthood

During Pregnancy: Extra proteins and calcium (eggs / milk) needed, and an increase in quantity

During Lactation: extra protein and calcium and slight increase in quantity recommended to keep her healthy

-Supplements: Usually no extra supplements need. Exceptions include during pregnancy, lactation and for pups. At these times, multivitamins and calcium are usually recommended by the vet


Water: Water is a must! When humans feel hot, our body starts sweating which helps us lower our body heat, and thus reducing the chances of dehydration. Dogs take much cool down since they don't sweat and rely on panting instead. This makes dehydration a very serious threat. A dog can survive without food for a while but a dehydrated dog usually does not survive.

Ensure your pet has access to clean drinking water at all times, since it allows him to prevent dehydration


Shelter: Dogs are perfectly content sleeping close to their human companions. All dogs would love to snuggle up with you in bed but keep in mind that a large breed who grows accustomed to sharing your bed will not leave you much room in it when he grows up! A thing, soft rug, a plump cushion or a store bought bed are all excellent options. Keep in mind that during winters the further away your dog is from the floor, the more comfortable he will be. This makes raised beds an excellent choice.