Editors of Womans Day - I (Love) My Dog!: The Guide to Choosing, Training, Grooming and Caring for Your Best Friend

Copyright 2010 Filipacchi Publishing, a division of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.

Photographs 2010 Laura Moss

First published in 2010 in the United States of America by Filipacchi Publishing

1633 Broadway

New York, NY 10019

Womans Day is a registered trademark of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.

First eBook Edition: May 2010

ISBN: 978-1-933231-92-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Prices, addresses, telephone numbers and websites listed in this book are accurate at the time of publication but they are subject to frequent change. Source material and recommendations are not intended to be comprehensive, but rather representative.

You want a friend for life? Get a dog.

Harry Truman

Dogs are our link to paradise. They dont know evil or jealousy or discontent.

Milan Kundera

Dog ownership is a serious commitment. While its easy to fall head over heels for an adorable puppy, the wise individual or family will do their homework before taking this momentous step. First and foremost, try to honestly evaluate whether you have sufficient time, energy and resources to devote to a new family membersince a dog requires nearly the same amount of care. Also make sure to thoroughly research the breed of dog youre interested in. Then assess your familys profile to determine if that breed will be the best fit with your habits and lifestyle. Taking the time to answer a few key questions can save a lot of trouble, expense and even heartache down the road.

There are a number of interesting animal facts you may not know about your four-legged friend.

1. Did you know that a dogs only sweat glands are on his footpads? A dogs primary method of cooling off is through panting, making dogs less efficient at keeping cool than humans, who have sweat glands all over their bodies.
2. One of the more interesting animal facts: A dogs noseprint is just like a humans fingerprintsunique. Just like fingerprints, noseprints can be used to accurately identify the owner of that nose.
3. Humans have been keeping dogs as pets for more than 12,000 years. No wonder they are known as mans best friendthey are his oldest friend!
4. The largest dog breed in the world is the Irish wolfhound; the smallest is the Chihuahua. The Saint Bernard is the heaviest breed of dog.
5. The basenji, an African wolf dog, is the only dog in the world that cannot bark. If youre looking for a quiet dog, the basenji would be a good choice.
6. A dogs sense of smell is over 100,000 times more sensitive than a humans. The bloodhound is best known for its keen sense of smell and tracking abilities, and is often used by law enforcement.
7. Puppies sleep a lot. They actually sleep about 90 percent of the day for their first few weeks.
8. Dogs have twice as many muscles in their ears as humans. This is why they are able to move their ears around so well, but people cant.
9. Dogs have an amazingly keen sense of hearing; its their second most developed sense after smell, of course. A dog can detect sound frequencies in the range of 67 Hz to 45 kHz. Humans can detect sound frequencies up to 20 kHz.
10. Dogs are pack animals. They are naturally submissive to any person or other canine with a higher pack status. They also quickly and easily recognize this higher pack status in another dog or human. A dog will demonstrate its submission by lying down and presenting its belly to the pack leader.

Outdoorsy, athletic families often lean toward dogs, while people looking for a lower-maintenance pet tend to choose cats. Relaxed families may prefer laid-back bulldogs, while active families are best for high-energy huskies, retrievers and dalmatians. Only the most attentive types should adopt border collies and sheepdogs. They need lots of mental and physical stimulation. The best dogs for families with young children are golden retrievers, beagles and English bulldogs, but stay away from tiny toy dogs if you have tots. While most dogs are highly adaptable, extreme climates and small spaces can make some dogs miserable. High-energy dogs should not live in areas without fenced-in play areas, even if they receive daily walks. Dogs with thick coats may not thrive in very hot areas and may require shaving, at the very least, to remain comfortable.

Having a puppy is like having a child. You have to puppy-proof your house, toilet-train him and wash him all the time. Also, puppies cry at night and always want to be with you. Its a better idea to choose a dog thats at least 6 months old. At that age, theyre more likely to be housebroken and comfortable around people. And forget the myth that adult dogs cant bond with new families, or be retrained if they had a previous owner. Its not difficult to teach a dog new tricksat any age.

Often when you first meet a dog, hes very freaked out. You dont get to see him as he really is. Your best bet is to ask the people who care for him what hes like. Otherwise, you could have him a week before he shows his true colors.

Shelters often ask dogs former owners to explain why they gave them up. Many also conduct temperament evaluations. It gives you a clear picture of what life with him will be like.

Its easy to forget about the cost of dog ownership. Dogs cost upward of $500 annually in food, grooming and vet bills. Think through all the costs before you take the leap. Shop for toys and food, and research the price of physicals, vaccinations, and flea and heartworm treatments with vets. Too often, people just arent prepared for the financial burden. Also, dogs can incur unexpected medical expenses.

If you decide your family cant afford a dog right now, consider pet-sitting for a friend or serving as a temporary foster family for an animal shelter. That will help you determine if your kids are really ready for their own dog, and will give you time to save up for one.