Anybody who knows me knows how much I love animals and pets. Animals are awesome and give so much love to their owner they deserve to be treated much petter than they are. We as humans should be treating our pets compassionately and lovingly. But with Christmas here, many pets are given as a Christmas gift and that's really not such a good idea to do that.
Often times, pets given at Christmas don't really match their owner. What looks adorable as a puppy may not seem so wonderful a year from now. Also, some puppies end up growing up to be too big and rambunctios for their owners and others end up being 'yappy' or others just develop bad habits.
I used to visit a Humane Society and pet the dogs there. And they always have a huge supply of bigger dog breeds such as Labrador, German Shepards, Golden Retriever, Rotweillers, and Chows (as well as mixed breeds). These dogs were often extremely difficult to walk.
The Humane Society made sure they identified the breed traits for future owners and this is one thing you should look for if you're considering a dog for Christmas.
1. Friendliness --(Labs are considered greeters. By their very nature, they will jump up and GREET people!)
2. Aggression -- Chows, Rotweillers, and German Shepards are agressive by nature. They need to be trained to listen to their master. They like to think they're in charge and will bite their owner unless their owner takes the dominant role.
3. Hyperness and Exersize -- Well anyone who has thrown a ball to a Golden Retriever for 1 hour straight will know your arm could fall off and the Golden would STILL want you to play fetch with him/her.
4. Size ---It may look like a lapdog now but will it grow up to look like King Kong on steroids? You have to feed that thing for many years to come. If you can only afford a mouse, don't buy an elephant!
5. Vet bills-- heartworm checks, shots, and just health check ups are the norm. Then there's always the unexpected visits too.
That's the information to understand before you buy a dog. After you get the dog, you need to actively train the dog from the day you come home. It needs to be trained for a trait, for doing his business outside, not to chew things, and not to bite.
There's some very good dog training manuals out there, but you have to be willing to train your dog daily to earn your dogs respect. The dog must view YOU as HIS master--not the other way around.
And before you buy a dog, check out the Pet Rescue Societies (online) for just about any breed. Thank God for these loving foster parents who accept these pets from abusive situations and help them get re-socialized and help them regain their health. Then after the TLC, they search for the right fit for a new adoptive home.
I couldn't do that, i'd get too attacked to each and every doggy that passed through my doors!
There's so many things to watch for with dogs, bad breeders, puppy mills, breeds with genetic problems. I think far too many people dont really think it through when they decide that it would be the perfect Christmas surprise.
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I love dogs... when they're little.
then you'd probably love my favorite breeds in existance! THe pomeranian and the papillon! Both adorable, and neither one gets bigger than 10-15 pounds... perpetual puppy!