What To Know When Getting A Dog
When you get a dog, there are a few things you want to be prepared to do in order to keep your dog healthy and happy. Owning a dog is about more than simply feeding and playing with them. They have other needs, some daily and others weekly or even monthly. You want to be sure you are going to be able to stay on top of all those needs before you commit to bringing a new dog into your family. Here are some of the things you need to be prepared to do for your dog:
Keep them up to date on their shots
A puppy will need to have a few sets of shots in order for them to be fully vaccinated. Then, they will need yearly boosters to keep them vaccinated throughout their life. Along with their regular shots to keep them from catching dog illnesses, they also need to be kept up to date on their rabies vaccination and be treated with a heartworm preventative, as well as a tick and flea preventative.
Keep them properly exercised
Some dogs require much less exercise than others. You want to do some research on the different breeds and choose a breed that you are going to be able to keep up with. For example, if you want a dog that doesn't require as much exercise, then you can get a dog like a pug, basset hound or greyhound that are considered to be low-energy dogs. However, if you are looking for a dog that can keep up with the kids and that have plenty of energy then you may want to consider a Labrador retriever, a Siberian husky or a border collie which have much more energy. Make sure you don't get a high energy dog and then try to turn it into a couch potato.
Keep them properly groomed
Some dogs require much more grooming than others. If you want a dog that you can bathe and groom yourself, then get one that doesn't have stringent grooming needs, such as a German shepherd or a Doberman pinscher. Getting a dog like an afghan or a poodle will require you to take them in to the groomer to have their grooming needs tended to on a regular basis. Don't let your dog get behind on their grooming needs, or you may find them extremely tangled and it will be much harder for them to be groomed.
