The one absolutely unselfish friend man can have in this totally selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog, but which one and should you get ? A pup, an adolescent, an older dog, a rescue dog, and where do you start ?

Where possible I would first and foremost recommend rescue every time, as everyone wants and falls in love with a cute puppy, but puppies grow and tend to be not so cute any more, they often end up residents of rescue centers, mixed breeds in particular, not because they are naughtier than pure bred puppies, but simply as more often than not they are cheap or free, so its a lot easier to get rid of them.

Whilst the owner of the pure bred will either try and suffer it out a little longer because of the money they spent or may re sell the dog a wee bit cheaper than the purchase price, so if you are looking for a cheap pure bred scanning the local papers maybe an option to getting your hands on your dream dog which you else wise couldn't afford, and no not all dogs in rescue or sold on have problems. Some really are victims of genuine circumstances, divorce, death, illness, repossession of the house, loss of job etc.

Some breed rescues do adoption animals, often these dogs are not other peoples left over problem dogs, some may be retired show dogs or brood bitches or a dog that may have been kept back for showing but never reached its fullest potential, and sometimes pups and dogs are returned to the breeder of either show or pet quality due to maybe one of the reasons mentioned above and the breeder has the responsibility of taking it back and finding a replacement home for it. Whichever dog you go for there are simple rules that apply to the purchase, whether it be a mixed breed or a pure bred, a pup or an adult, rescue ,breeder or adoption, here are some simply tips to help you get your dream dog.

*Firstly decide on pure bred or mixed or cross breed, neither breeds are more intelligent or less intelligent and any can trumps in looks ( any one who thinks only mixed breeds are ugly, with pop eyes, north and south ears giraffe necks and tongues, which don't fit in their mouths properly ... never took a good look at some pure bred dog ), but if you seriously rate a dog, want to buy its pedigree and only the best will be good enough for you and you want to show at seriously competitive levels or intend to breed, you really need to find a KC registered dog and a reputable breeder.

This does not mean by any means that the person with the cross breed or mixed breed can't have any fun or show their dog, on the contrary, there are more and more dog shows, agility shows and training , flyball , PAT dogs ( pets as therapy ) and the canine good citizenship, as well as obedience classes and competitions for all manor of mixed and cross bred dogs. The kennel club itself holds the ultimate dog show for these types of dogs called (SCRUFTS ) and in my opinion the atmosphere is much more fun filled and relaxed. I will address these in detail a little later.

* Now you've chosen the breed, done your home work and the dog seems a good choice to you, but are you the best choice for the dog ? And will a pup or adult suit what you want or have to offer ? Go through the following check list to see what you find best at the end of the day, a dog is a living feeling loving being that does not deserve a poor quality of life that often comes hand in hand with being placed in the wrong household. You are about to invest possibly a lot of money, definitely a lot of time and energy into the dog, none of which is refundable when things go wrong. And reputable breeders put time love money and energy in to producing puppies of good temperament and good health. They try their hardest to put their babies in the right hands, the hands of a suitable caring loving responsible permanent loving owner with the proper home environment to match, where they will became an extension of their family unit for all of their days.

*WHAT DO YO WANT FROM YOUR PET ?

* Companionship * Exercise * Guard * Fun *

* SELECT THE BREED USING THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES FOR EACH BREED TYPE

* Cost * Appearance * Typical breed behavior * Size * Do you want to show *

Now that list seems small and fairly easy to sort through now check the list for what the dog needs from you and what requirements are needed to look after the dog correctly.

* WHAT DOES THE PET REQUIRE FROM YOU ?

* Companionship * Exercise * Space * Correct food and Water * Heath Care ( vets if ill ) Vaccinations * Regular fleaing and worming * Grooming * Training * Socialization *

*ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF HAVING A PUP !

Fun and cute, you get to bond with you pup and influence their behavior and development at the earliest possible time ( especially if you have young children or grandchildren to consider ), training and socializing is crucial from 8 wks to 6 mths.

If you have chosen the right breeder your dog should come with a clean slate and a good bill of health and no bad habits to break ,you will be entirely responsible for how the dog turns out your input will be your reward.
On the down side puppies need a lot of time and energy, they need house training and need feeding at regular intervals at least three to four times a day till they are at least 6 mths old, so if you are out of the house for more than a few hours who will potty train and feed the pup ?

Pups can be very expensive in the first year Vaccinations, fleaing, worming, several collars and leashes as they out grow them quite quickly, they need toys to occupy and amuse them instead of the furniture and fixings, not to mention beds, bedding crate or cage, and possibly stair gates to contain uncontrollable bladders and rears to one particular room or area of the house.

*ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF GETTING AN ADULT DOG !

*May already be house trained and inoculated (especially if from a rescue center may even be neutered or spayed ) may be quieter and more calm, unlikely to change in appearance and you will be able to see what type of temperament they have. Only needs one collar and leash, bed etc. but make extra special checks and visits before making your final decision, as the dog has already gone through the stress of one failed relationship and home and does not need a second. The dog may have some behavior problems and may take a while to settle into new routine and need time to adjust to new living conditions and new rules, early training and social skills may be lacking. But you can teach an old dog new tricks it just takes longer and you need much love and patience.

* WHO IS THE DOG FOR ?

*You must consider everyone in the house, even regular visitors ( grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends etc. ) Many older people love and require a four legged companion for company, but think about the dog or pup before you rush out and get your gran or your old mam a pooch. Can they cope with a boisterous pups needs and think about the dog in ten or 15 years from now ... will gran be about and if she is will she be able to help her dog who may be old and suffering from arthritis, poor hearing, incontinence or fading vision themselves ?
( would a small or toy breed make a better companion in old age than a shepherd or retriever ? )

* What about children ? Most kiddies like dogs, but there are still those who don't and those who have fears of dogs, and sometimes getting a dog does not solve the problem and is not the answer and may only serve to make the problem worse. Do you have a slightly hyper child that will want to play with the dog a lot ? Some breeds don't tolerate children well and some smaller breeds can suffer injury and stress at the hands of an over zealous child. Some children could be at danger of injury at the paws of an over sized, over zealous dog and puppies sleep quite a lot ... so do dogs, unlike kiddies, and what about mom ... are you planning to go back to work when the kids are all at school ?

* And talking of mom does she really want a dog ? Often men want the dog but don't want the work that comes with it, the children beg and plead for a dog with all the promises of walking it, feeding it, and cleaning up after it (but then get bored of the dog and the work after the novelty of having the dog wears off ).

Children should never be in charge or given full responsibility of a dog, you wouldn't give your ten year old a small baby or toddler to take charge and responsibility of, so why give them a dog ? So often mom does not want a dog, not because she doesn't like dogs, but because she has enough on her plate already without rushing around after a pup or dog that she never really wanted in the first place. But the responsibility and the chores get passed down to mom automatically whether she wants them or not (and sadly women are as capable of severe animal cruelty and detachment to suffering in animals as men ).

*HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO SPARE & SHARE ?

* Do you work all day ? Most people do these days and when your not working you have friends and family to visit maybe hobbies or a active social life, you have shopping to do and may look forward to the weekend to go the pub or club, so what time can you give to a dog really ? A dog will often sleep all night, then like us they want to get up see someone, have a fuss just be around you. If you are out more than 4 maybe 6 hours a day I think it unfair to get a dog and even more unfair to expect it to amuse itself everyday without getting bored and acting destructive as a way of relieving the boredom.

How much time do you have to spend on bathing and grooming ? Some dogs need proper grooming and not just a few minutes, some may need a good hour or more. I have a friend who shows and breeds afghan hounds they are beautiful in show condition but have you seen a neglected one with dreadlocks all matted and tangled fur, not a pleasant site, even less pleasant when the poor thing has to be shaved in order to bring about relief and a cure to the problem.

Most books and breeders will spend hours telling you the good points of the breed more often than not preferring to selectively forget to tell you the bad qualities. There is obviously more to a dog than its appearance. I love white wolves, but I doubt if it would make a suitable pet, so make an effort find out as much as you can about the breed the good and bad traits

* And exercise ... what can you really offer in time ? Some breeds need more exercise than others, so please be honest about what time you have to spare. You may love malamutes, wanted one for all of your life, but really only have Sunday afternoon free to spend exercising the dog. If this is so, no matter how much you think you love the breed, you would only prove that love by leaving the breed alone, as it would need at least an hour a day and more ... as much as you could throw at it.

But a mastiff makes a good pavement pounder to plod to the shop or Sunday afternoon stroller, and these dogs are great, as being designated as exercise equipment ( If I got a dog I would have to get out and walk it ).

Only in a few cases or in the short run, will your dog inspire you to get up and go, be honest with yourself get a dog that meets your capabilities and fitness level. The dog is not a personal trainer and very rarely will he motivate you to get off your ass if you aint in the mood or don't like the weather or are plain too tuckered out to care.

*Finally consider the size of your dog your home and available space even silly things like pee and poop. Big dogs eat more, poop more. And cost more if they are ill, as they obviously need more medication than a smaller dog with the same illness. Often insurance companies charge more for large breeds because of medication costs. Be realistic ... if you live on the 10th floor, in a block of flats, a malamute is not for you ... if you live in a bedsit or small flat, a great dane isn't for you ... be sensible and realistic, as when it all goes wrong and doesn't work out, its the dog that suffers. The rescue centers, are often run by volunteers and by donations ( so you are not keeping someone in a job when the dog winds up there ) you are being irresponsible and selfish !!!!!!!

TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU SELECT THE RIGHT BREEDER & PUPPY

*The breeder should be able to help you find the right puppy, the breeder should know each pup intimately and should have socialized the pup from the very start. The puppies should be directly in the home where they can become accustomed and exposed to the clattering of pots and pans, hoovers, TV ,Stereo, washing machine etc.

A lovingly home reared pup has a better start in life than one who has spent 6 or 8 weeks in a shed or dark kennel somewhere outside. The breeder should know the pups well enough to advise on which pup may suit you best, a shy reserved pup that's runs off and hides in the corner, may not take to living in a noisy hectic type of family, and a confident pup that is quite bossy may need careful rearing and handling, as he is used to being in control and getting what he wants, so you would need to train the pup correctly, else he may grow to think he can control you. The breeder should advise you and help you pick your pup with care, even though all the pups are from the same litter, they will all have there own personalities and individual temperaments
.
*Please make sure you see the mom with the pups and where possible meet the father ... not all breeders have the father on hand, but you can get a picture and maybe, if it is not to much trouble, go pay a visit ... see what the father is like in the flesh ( particularly before you buy the pup ) Doesn't matter how placid and loving the mom, your pup has 50/50 genes, so if the dad is a bit temperamental, then so could your pup be.

*Make several visits to the breeder with your family, and get to know your pup, let the pup get used to your smell and touch, so pup may be less stressed when he leaves his mom and siblings.

*The breeder should love the breed and be fully committed to producing healthy happy pups with sound and secure temperaments. Make sure the breeder has carried out all the relevant health tests for their breed and don't be afraid to ask to see the documentation ( if they have nothing to hide this shouldn't offend them anyway ) If they don't screen for health problems, more likely than not, the breeder is more interested in your money than the dogs physical and mental well being,

*Make sure the facilities are clean and ask to see where the dogs are housed, if at a kennels, ask to see the rest of the dogs and view how the set up works. Make sure the other dogs are in good clean condition and groomed and cared for properly, and make sure the mother of any pups looks in good condition if she is fed properly and helped every step of the way ... she shouldn't look too worse for wear. In fact, with the right amount of love and help she should look in pretty fair shape, so if mom looks skinny and tired, sad and worn out she's probably just been left to get on with it.

*There is nothing wrong with responding to adverts in local newspapers, vets, pets shop ad boards, you are just as likely to come across backyard breeders and puppy farmers on the net or through any form of advertising even the kennel club can't guarantee the breeder of each litter of pups, but there are several things you can look out for when meeting a breeder to determine if they may be puppy farmers.

*Anyone who is frequently advertising pups for sale

*Anyone frequently advertising more than one litter of pups at a time ( having several litters within days or weeks of each other )

*Anyone who makes a living from selling dogs ( please don't be fooled into thinking someone should do it ) there are plenty of occasional breeders to keep the dog population alive and plenty of pure breds in the rescue centers for there ever be a shortage of any breed, at the very worst you may have to wait a little longer to get your pup, but if you want a good pup you should anticipate a wait anyway, especially if you want a potential show dog or particular line.

*Anyone who has several different breeds, some have as many as 10 or 20 different breeds that they are breeding.

*A bad breeder doesn't ask many question and doesn't answer many either but they like to talk about the cost of the pup which usually crops up quite early in the conversation ... like first !

*And lastly trust your gut instinct and how comfortable you feel with the breeder, after all you may need on going help and advice and the breeder will most probably like to see the pup again in the future, so its nice to feel at ease and comfortable with your chosen breeder.

RESCUE INFORMATION & PLACES OF GOOD USE

In this section I will be addressing issues that concern rescue dogs contacts and activities for owners of all dogs. There is no stigma's here, mixed, cross or pedigree there are masses of activities and loads of fun to be had with any dog, whether plan old heinz 57 or champion, on these pages ... every dog has his day.

WHERE CAN I GET A RESCUE DOG ?

* Well there are several ways you could first try local shelters and dogs home if you want a particular rescue breed the dog homes and shelters may still be able to help they may have a list of rescue groups or a breeder / rescuer they often no someone who does voluntary rescue from home.

Your vet may also be able to help with rescue groups. If you have access to the internet, it is by far the easiest way of contacting breed groups who will almost certainly have there own breed rescue, but don't think you will get a dog any easier from rescue.

They are no less fussy about the home the dog is going to, so you will be intensely vetted. This is not meant to offend, but the dog has already suffered the trauma of losing a home, so it is even more important to try and make sure it doesn't happen twice and give the dog the best possible chance of finding a stable loving permanent home.

The dog will most probably be neurted or spayed, and will most likely not be re-homed with its registration papers, not because it is not a pedigree dog, but to simply stop people obtaining paperwork that may get tacked to another dog and used to aid unscrupulous breeding plans.

Rescue dogs are not free, but are not as dear as breed prices, cost will be for neutering or spaying, medical treatment and other related costs while in rescue ( like food, advertising, phone calls and travel ) especially if it is a foster home placement or small breeder rescue center.

Never have I met a rescue worker who makes a profit from rescue and some dogs may be in rescue for a good while ( my rescue bitch cost me over £200 on the first visit to the vets and £250 on the return visits and repeat medications ) then cost me a further £120 as she had kennel cough when I got her, so I had to protect and treat all my other dogs from catching it. As well as much hard work and several weeks of sleepless nights and early mornings, but goddess loves and so do I.

Shelters and dogs homes are the most often likely though, to house mixed breed dogs and if you value saving a dogs life and giving a some poor dog a second chance at life, please give serious consideration to a rescue or stray. Often you will find mixed breed pups going cheap or free in local papers and shop windows maybe you could save it from ever reaching the dogs home.

Below you will find a lists of services I deem helpful, fun ,or important. I hope they are of help to you and that the pages I have written have been of useful assistance to you and help you decide which dog suits you and your lifestyle best. Choose wisely and sensibly an you and your dog will share a happy fun filled loving and treasurable life together, blessed be.

Alaskan Malamute rescue
 
Joan Sheehan
West Yorkshire
Tel: 01924 254958
Web: www.malamuterescue.co.uk
Email: joan@thesheehans.demon.co.uk
 
Siberian Husky Rescue
 
Email: joannewlf@aol.com

For all kinds of activities and advice on dog shows and events, whether mixed crossed or pure bred, the kennel club have a huge choice for everyone. But if you are an owner of a cross or mixed breed here is just a small collection of what activities the kennel club can offer you and your dog. Dog shows, fun events, some small and some large like SCRUFTS, a fun show and day out for all the family.

Obviously as all manners and mixtures of dogs will be able to join the winning categories are some what different as there is no breed standard to adhere and judge by, so categories include things like, most handsomest dog, prettiest bitch, child's best friend, golden oldie.

Dogs are judged on character personality, health and temperament. For a full list of venues and shows go to the kennel club website, where you can find more details of agility and obedience training clubs and competitions , Good citizen dog schemes, flyball ,the kennel club companion dog club, and much much more details at ; www.the-kennel-club.org.uk or email ; info@the-kennel-club.org.uk ;Tele: 0870-6066750 where you can ask for a dogs day out pack to be sent to you, which lists all the info and activities that may interest you and get you and you dog out for some great fun.

On a more serious note if you fancy something a bit quieter and have a dog of very pleasant and calm behavior that loves to be fussed and you have few hours to spare helping the sick you and your dog may like to try training as a PAT dog ( pets as therapy ) for more info about training and the work involved please visit , www.petsastherapy.org

More fun is available at the British Flyball Association
P.O Box 109
Petersfield , Hants
GU32 1XZ
TELE:01730-828269
and if you wanna find out what flyball is all about check out the website ; www.flyball.org.uk
 

And last but not least if you want to join a club specifically and exclusively for crossbreed and mixed breed dogs then go and check out a great club dedicated to these dogs at , www.K9Z.co.uk.

For further info and advice on all dog related topic's show events rescue, and masses more check out the Dogs Today & Dog World magazines or go to ,www.dogworld.co.uk

A great site for the pedigree owner is www.pedigreedog.co.uk

And finally for a truly awesome look at real sledge dogs in action and the journals and diary of an amazing athlete & explorer living and training his dogs in the Arctic living and running with his dogs in temperatures as low as -40 with nothing but ice snow, wolves and polar bears around for hundreds of miles , you gotta check out the amazing and magnificent story of how Gary Rolfe from the UK , who did a 400 mile 22 days journey, over tundra and sea ice, find him at, www.garyrolfe.com.