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Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
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- American Kennel Association.
- American Veterinarian Association
- Breeder's Classified (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
- Foreign Registries
- AKC Yorkshire Breed
What do I need to Know before buying a dog?
When considering a dog....
- If a puppy....
- do you know how big it will grow?
- do you have enough room, both inside and outside, to meet its exercise needs?
- do you know how active it will be?
- will its temperament and personality fit your own?
- will it constantly need attention?
- do you have the time to train the puppy?
- is it easy to housebreak?
- are you prepared to forego other activities in order to tend to the pup’s
- needs?
- can you afford the necessary vaccinations and visits to the veterinarian?
- If an adult.... the above, plus....
- can you provide sufficient daily exercise routines for the dog?
- do you have time to spend taking care of the dog’s emotional needs?
- are there special dietary needs?
- are there any health problems that you should consider and be aware of?
- do you have a safe place to keep the dog when you are not at home?
- will its coat require special care and professional grooming?
Other thoughts that should be considered are...
- Do not bring a dog into your life if you are not prepared to...
- spend quality time with the dog
- make personal sacrifices in order to see to the dog’s needs
- feed, groom and house it properly
- be forgiving if it goes to the bathroom where it should not
- deal with dog hair
- take it to training classes, if necessary
- treat the dog as a four-legged member of your family
- accept the responsibilities of dog ownership
- Do bring a dog into your life, if you want...
- a companion who asks no questions, makes no judgements
- someone who loves you regardless of who you are, what you do or how much money you
- have in the bank
- to come home to a presence that immediately fills the room with love and devotion
- when you walk through the door
- to live a life that is mindful while being minded, loving while being loved, and
- caring while being cared for
Owning a dog is a lifestyle choice that needs thorough study with an eye towards the care, obligation and responsibility entailed for the life of that pet.
When choosing a purebred dog, consider the breeds characteristics, temperament, lifestyle, accommodations and taste. If buying a puppy, ask yourself if the adult dog will be large and/or require extensive grooming. Will it need lots of outdoor exercise, and ask yourself again if its temperament will be appropriate for your family, especially if you have children.
Whether you purchase a male or a female is a personal decision: one may be more difficult to housetrain than the other; one too quiet and demur. It depends on your time, activities and interests, as well as what pup you fall in love with. Sometimes you need to let intuition be your guide.
A responsible breeder is the best source for a well-bred, healthy dog. The breeder will carefully select the parents of each litter to emphasize desirable attributes and minimize faults in their progeny.
Buying from a breeder means that you are part of an extended family. Most breeders expect a call if the dog has a crisis at any stage in its life, so they can help you understand and cope with the problem. This can be especially comforting for the first time dog owners who can't even imagine what kinds of questions they'll have in the future.
Visit as many breeders as possible for your breed. Examine the premises to make sure they are clean and that the dogs appear to be well cared for. Puppies should be clean, well fed, lively and friendly, without any signs of illness such as runny nose or eyes, skin sores, or dirty ears or fleas.
Do's and Don'ts for kids and family dog?
Do demonstrate how to interact with the dog. Show the child how to pet the dog nicely, to give the dog some space if it gets anxious, and how not to pull the dog's tail, or ears, or poke its eye. Carefully explain that a dog is not a toy.
Do make sure your dog has basic obedience training. The dog needs to know what is expected of it, and you need to establish a form of communication with your pet. Consulting a qualified obedience instructor can be helpful.
Do be consistent in all teaching endeavors.
Do supervise all puppy - child interactions. The adult in the household is the responsible party to be sure interactions are fun and mutually respected.
Do oversee the dog's care and well-being at all times.
Don't expect any dog to tolerate ear tugging, tail pulling or the like. Intervene if play gets rough or out of hand.
Don't force responsibility on the child that he or she is not ready for. The dog will suffer the consequences of being neglected, ignored and not properly cared for.
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