Last week I was really glad to see a client I hadn’t seen for a while. Her dog had passed away three months ago and, despite having declared that she would never get another dog so as not to go through the pain of another loss, the time of mourning had done its work and she was now ready to welcome another dog into her home. The advice that she was seeking was – which dog would be best for her?
If you’ve decided that you’d like to buy or adopt a dog, it will hopefully mean a dog for the duration of its natural lifetime, which could span from 10 to 17 years, depending on the breed and state of health.
So you need to carefully consider your lifestyle as it is now and, as best as you can, how you are likely to be in, say, 15 years’ time when your dog is old and possibly infirm. For example, getting a rottweiler puppy when you are aged 60 could mean having a 50-kilo dog to care for when you are 75. Always think in terms of the future, even if you are an experienced dog owner.
Whatever your situation, there are certain basic factors you need to take into consideration before committing to a new dog.
Temperament is probably one of the most important factors you need to consider –even before size and breed. Do you want a dog that is easily trained or do you prefer the challenge of a headstrong dog? Would you prefer a dog that needs companionship or one that is content to stay alone at home while you go out to work?
Are you happy for your dog to be friends with everyone or would you rather it is friendly only towards you and distant towards anyone outside of the family? The Doberman Pinscher makes a very loyal pet but will remain aloof towards strangers and therefore also make an excellent guard dog if this is what you need.
For practical reasons, size is definitely the next most important factor to consider. If you’d like your dog to accompany you everywhere, do consider lapdogs such as the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the dachshund, or small terriers such as the Boston. Toy breeds such as the chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier are even more portable and very protective of their owners. Be aware though that small dogs can be delicate and their bones break easily if they are accidentally trod on.
They feel the cold more than large dogs do, so they will need warm bedding and coats during the cold winter months. To compensate for their small size, smaller dogs are often noisier than large ones, so be careful if you do not like dogs that bark at every sound.
In contrast, larger dogs usually bark only in play, when startled or, as they have been trained to respond to external stimuli; but large dogs need a lot more space than smaller ones, and large dogs with long wagging tails need even more space.
If you’ve decided that you’d like to buy or adopt a dog, it will hopefully mean a dog for the duration of its natural lifetime
Dalmatians have very long whip-like tails that they wag very hard – often to the point of breaking the skin of the tip of their tail. If your rooms are small, you might want to avoid this breed. If space is not a problem, do consider this breed or even larger ones such as the German Shepherd.
Size apart, it’s worth knowing that some giant breeds such as the Great Dane are big softies and surprisingly easy to handle. Despite its rugged looks, the giant Newfoundland, which is starting to become popular in Malta, is a quiet dog that prefers gentle walks.
Of course, the larger the dog, the more expensive it becomes to feed and care for, whereas smaller dogs are less costly. If you cannot decide between a small or large dog, you might like to consider a medium-sized breed as a compromise.
The Siberian Husky is classified as a medium-sized breed, but don’t confuse it with the similar-looking but much larger Alaskan Malamute. Importantly, and contrary to misconception, living in an apartment does not determine the size of dog you should go for, since it is the amount of daily exercise you are able to give it that matters.
In fact, the level of activity your future dog needs is the next major consideration. The small Jack Russell Terrier is a highly active dog that demands plenty of exercise and is perfect for you if you have the time to play frisbee and ball.
If you are not able to walk your dog every day, you should consider breeds such as the Basset Hound, which has low energy levels and will happily lounge at home all day. If you love the outdoors, rambling or long walks, you should choose a dog that will go the distance: Pointers and Border Collies are excellent choices in this respect.
Male or female? Puppy or adult? Males are generally more independent than females, which tend to be more affectionate. But you still need to research the specific characteristics of the various breeds to get a better idea of what to expect in your dog. Then, you need to decide whether to go for a puppy or adopt a fully-grown dog.
Mature dogs are generally calmer and might already be house-trained, whereas a puppy will need to be trained not to pee and poo inside your home, or chew everything in sight.
Having weighed all the considerations and done her research as to the different breed characteristics, my client decided to speak to the Island Sanctuary in Delimara.
Because she loves trekking and has the energy to cope with the dog, the dog handlers there have recommended a two-year-old mixed breed terrier that has been up for adoption for a couple of months.
If you adopt a mixed breed, its characteristics are harder to determine, but dog handlers at sanctuaries are usually experienced in guessing the dog’s ancestry. Mixed breeds can also be a wonderful addition to your home because of their balanced character and general hardiness.
From past experience, I have no doubt that the future of this dog in its new home will be a happy one.
thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com
Dr Martin Debattista is a veterinary surgeon.