Where to find your canine friend
You have taken the initial step and made the decision to welcome a dog into your life but now the all important question raises its head, how exactly do you find a dog?
There are various different ways but firstly you need to establish a few key points. Do you wish to take on a puppy? Help an older dog? Provide a home for a rescue dog or even a disabled dog? Is it important to you that your new dog is a pedigree? Once you have clarified these issues then you can begin to search your options regarding where to find your new canine friend.
1)The internet is becoming a more and more popular resource to find a new puppy or dog and is specifically why Puppies for Sale has recently formed. You can now do all your research online in the comfort of your own home. Puppies for Sale allows you to quickly search all the classified ads and filter by breed and geographical location.
2)If you have the patience and the time to welcome a puppy into your life then you can search for breeders, this is fine if you have an idea of the specific breed of dog you are after. Also good if you after a pedigree. You could look privately in newspapers for puppies for sale. Contact your local rescue centre as they very often have puppies looking for loving, new homes.
3)Rescue centres are terrific places to visit if you are not quite decided on what type of dog it is that you are searching for. The only problem is are you strong enough to resist all those imploring eyes looking up at you?
4)You can also look privately for adult dogs as many people have to give them up for one reason or another. Do not always be too quick to judge people as not everyone gives up their dog for the sake of just not wanting it anymore. Some owners could become ill or even hospitalised and simply do not have any family to take the dog on.
Whichever route you decide to take you must always look for the same points before accepting your new found canine friend.
Ensure the puppy / dog is healthy, bright eyes, cold and wet nose, waggy tail and a reasonable weight. (Unless your chosen dog is a rescue then obviously the weight could be under what it should be)
If you are visiting a breeder to purchase a puppy this will normally involve a couple of visits, one to select your pup and the other to collect him / her. Always, always request that you see the parent dogs, this is essential as you need to observe them. Remember your puppy will share traits from each of them.
Privately purchasing an adult dog can prove to be problematic, just keep in mind that they could be trying to re-home the dog because it is simply difficult. The dog could bark a lot, run off when not on the lead or not walk well whilst on the lead.
I am not trying to deter you from searching for your ideal new addition just trying to warn you to be vigilant; after all choosing your canine chum is all part of the bigger journey that awaits you both and a part that should be enjoyed.
