Gus, a fine representative of the beagle breed!
Breed, breeding and breeder are the three most important factors to consider before you bring a new puppy home.
First, spend a little time learning about the dog breed you are considering to ensure that you and your dog have the same lifestyle. There is a wealth of information available on the internet that you can read, or you can learn about your chosen breed by interviewing other people who have one. You might ask yourself; am I active and athletic, or do I prefer kicking back in my easy chair watching CSI Miami, New York and Las Vegas? Think about other people that live in your house – how will they interact with the dog? Consider the characteristics of your living arrangements, i.e., size of yard, fencing, etc. and how these will impact dog. And ask yourself one more question; can I financially afford to give this dog the care it deserves through sickness and health?
One might say that I have a lot of experience with Labrador Retrievers, so I’m asked quite frequently where to find a good Lab. I reply with a question – what is your reason for wanting a Lab? This is where breeding comes in to play. If the answer is a family pet and a dog for the kids, I advise them to get what I fondly refer to as a “minivan” Lab, meaning reliable but without a lot of horsepower. If the answer is a hunting dog, I point them at former field trial dogs. These dogs are typically very well-bred and have had at least one year of formal training – they will excel in just about any hunting setting. The fact that they did not progress in the sport of AKC field trialing does not mean that the dog will not make an exceptional hunting dog. For clarity, AKC field trials are designed to determine the best breeding stock and to identify dogs that have the most natural talent in the breed characteristics of courage, memory, eyesight, intelligence and trainability. Puppies whelped from Field Champions tend to have a lot of horsepower under the hood; this is why I refer to them as “Lamborghinis.” They are awesome cars but require an experienced driver at the wheel. If a person is looking for a puppy that will make a good hunting dog, horsepower, or “go” as I like to call it, is of paramount importance. If a dog is not born with “go” in his nature, it cannot be trained or instilled. As with my Labrador Retriever example, similar considerations should be taken into account when bringing home a new puppy of any breed type.
Their next question I am usually asked is – How much does a good hunting Lab cost? When I tell them, the typical reaction from a novice, or first time owner, is “I don’t want to spend that much money on a dog!” This takes us back to the question above – Can you afford a dog and are you prepared for the expenses you will incur to care for the dog over his lifetime? Dog ownership is a huge responsibility, so when someone tells me they don’t want to pay for a well-bred puppy (meaning genetically sound and suited for them), I question whether they have truly considered the financial responsibility of dog ownership, because the cost of the puppy is the least expensive component of the equation!
Breeding by a responsible and knowledgeable dog breeder is the next consideration. A dog breeding should be specifically designed to produce genetically sound puppies. Putting two pretty dogs together or two ability-proven dogs together does not make for a genetically sound dog. Yes these are qualities that are considered, but more importantly, testing for genetic diseases and genetic defects should be first and foremost when breeding dogs. Like people, dogs have behavior qualities that are both good and bad, and these behaviors should be considered when breeding. In addition to asking questions of the breeder, it is important to research previous litters from the same breeding and talk to owners of prior litters. This is one of the most crucial things you can do to help confirm that the breeding will be successful. For example, just because Michael Jordon is the greatest basketball player that ever lived does not mean his children will also be great basketball players. That said, his children probably have a 100% better chance of being great athletes than my children do. Having great lineage matters, it does not guarantee greatness, but it does give you a better starting chance.
Puppy care by the breeder is also a key factor to consider. The way young puppies are treated while in the breeder’s care is extremely important. If puppies are incorrectly cared for, they can develop learned behavior problems or issues. Certain behavior issues, such as inappropriate mouthiness, if learned and instilled at a young age, can be virtually impossible to train out of a dog.
Planed breeding is discussed above, what about acquiring a dog that was unplanned? The lineage may not be available, but it is still important to understand the dog’s energy level and answer many of same questions. This will help ensure that you your new dog are a good fit for each other – so that the two of you enjoy many happy years together, whether it be jogging five miles a day, or taking short walks and solving the latest TV crime!
