Choosing a new puppy to bring into your home is a big decision. Here are some helpful hints and tips to making sure your new puppy is the right one.

The first thing you need to consider is research! This is the one step that is so often ignored when choosing a puppy, but is perhaps the most important step.

Too often people choose their new puppy based on emotion, and not the facts.

First things first, research the breed you want. I would recommend getting an all breed dog book at your library or local book store to help you in choosing a puppy. Get a book that gives details about the breeds temperament, energy level, adaptability, size, trainability, etc. Many people will pick up a dog magazine to check out the dogs for sale advertisements in the back. The problem with using this method to choose a breed is that these ads are designed to sell you on that specific breed from a specific kennel. Instead of choosing the right breed for you, you may be swayed by a nice layout and a professional ad.

When researching dog breeds, take everything into consideration. For example, some large dogs do better in apartments than certain small dogs. Some small breeds do better with room to run and play and despite their small size wouldn’t do well in an apartment. Some dogs are very independent and are more difficult to train. There are grooming requirements to consider. Some dogs are prone to certain health problems. Learn these things about the different breeds before you choose which one to purchase. When choosing a puppy, there is no such thing as too much research.

Once you have settled on the right breed it is now time to really buckle down and do your research. Now you’ve got to decide where to get this perfect dog. At this point it is important to note that there is typically one place where you don’t want to get a new puppy. That place is the pet store. It is not always the case, but dogs from pet stores often come from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a business that someone has set up to basically manufacture dogs. Puppy mills are notorious for overcrowding, lack of sanitation, health problems both from external causes and from poor breeding practices. Female dogs in a puppy mill will give litter after litter until their body is no longer capable. Owners of puppy mills give no thought to what makes a good dog, both structurally and mentally. The sole desire of a puppy mill is to make money, not to maintain and improve the gene pool of a certain breed. Don’t be drawn in by the cute puppy in the pet store window. It is very likely that behind that cute puppy exterior lurks genes that will make an unbalanced and unhealthy dog.

So where should you go about choosing a puppy? The answer is simple: from a reputable breeder. However, while the answer is simple, it isn’t so easy to go about finding that breeder. They aren’t always easy to find. Here are some tips for finding the right breeder:

- Don’t start out in the classifieds. Too often the classifieds section of your local newspaper is inhabited by ‘backyard breeders’. A backyard breeder is often just as dangerous as a puppy miller. The backyard breeder breeds his dog because ‘We wanted her to have a litter before we got her fixed’, or ‘We wanted the kids to see the miracle of birth’, or ‘Well, we had a German Shepherd and so did the neighbor, so it just made sense’. Shelters nationwide are filled with dogs resulting from these breedings. If you want your dog to have a litter ‘just because’, don’t do it. If you want your kids to witness the miracle of birth, rent a documentary. If you breed your dog because your neighbor has a similar one, have you considered the temperament, genetics of the parents, etc.? Probably not. Choosing a puppy from a backyard breeder can have regretful consequences. Avoid backyard breeders.

- Talk to a breed association. Nearly every dog breed has an affiliated association. Some of the more popular breeds have several national, regional, and local associations. These associations should be able to provide you with guidance on where to find reputable breeders. Many even specialize in helping new owners in choosing a puppy.

- Talk to local dog trainers and veterinarians. These professionals will often have contacts that may be able to help in choosing a puppy.

- Look in the back of the large dog magazines. There will often be many breeders. You will have to do your due diligence as any breeder can make it in the back of a magazine if they have the money to spend. It can be a useful resource for finding several breeders, though.

- Use the internet as a way to find breeders. Don’t be ‘sold’ on their website alone. Make sure you to do your due diligence.

Once you have a pool of several potential breeders from whom you are considering choosing a puppy, get in contact with them. A good breeder will actually interview you. A good breeder will want to know who you are, how you live, why you want the dog, and many more other things to make sure that you will properly care for something they have put so much work into. Answer these questions honestly. Hopefully, you will have a long relationship with this person.

As you go to their kennel or breeding facility take note of the conditions.

Good breeders are fanatical about sanitation.

Make sure things are well kept and maintained. Depending on the age of the puppies that you go to see the mother still may be around. Try to get a feel for her temperament and look. If the father is available, insist on seeing him too. The parents should be strong, healthy, and confident. They shouldn’t shy away from you or exhibit other behaviors that indicate a weakness or genetic problem.

Observe the puppies. They should be healthy. Make sure, when choosing a puppy, that you are looking for a puppy that is confident, large, and social. Don’t fall in the trap that many do by selecting a small, sickly puppy because they feel bad for the little guy.

Don’t be fooled by certain behaviors, either. A growling, nervous puppy is not going to make a better watch dog. He is growling out of an intense fear, not watchdog material. Keep in mind that the dominant puppy may be too much for you if you aren’t used to working with dogs.

Above all, use common sense. I know they are cute, but try to make a decision based on logic and reason, not because that little puppy hiding in the corner is so cute the way he trembles when someone goes near him. Choosing a puppy should never be a snap decision.

As is often the case, you may find that the best breeder with available puppies isn’t in your local area. In a case such as this you have a few options. You can travel to them, observe the facilities first hand, and purchase your puppy. This often isn’t reasonable for most people. Or, you can get references and thoroughly check out the particular breeder by phone and internet. Then, once you are satisfied that you will get a quality puppy, an arrangement can be made for choosing a puppy through photographs and breeder recommendation, and then get your puppy shipped by air freight. If you do this well you can have a great experience. I have been involved with the remote purchase of many dogs from as far away as France and the Czech Republic and have been very satisfied with the results because of doing proper research.

Just remember, when choosing a new puppy, do your homework and you will be grateful for the life of your dog

Having good teeth is not only important to humans it is also important to your dogs health. They deserve to have good dental care because their teeth are used not just for eating but also for cleaning and grooming themselves.

Just like humans a dog teeth can build up tartar or plaque which can cause gun disease. Gum disease is an infection resulting from increase of soft dental plaque on the outside of the teeth around the gums. The bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue if plaque is permitted to accumulate, will lead to infection in the bone around the teeth.

What effect does this have on your dog? You will notice the dog will have bad breath and the gums will become irritated, they will start to bleed and the dog will have oral pain, your dog could lose its appetite or drop food from its mouth while eating.

As a dog gets older they will require more dental care so that their teeth remain healthy,

so it is important to know that while they are still young, their teeth should already be properly taken care of.

Your dogs Diet

If you have a young dog start them on good quality dry foods. The crunchy texture helps the removal of plaque which moist foods are unable to. The crunchy feature also helps to stimulate the gums so that gum diseases are also prevented.

It is always best to consult your vet on the type of dental care you should be providing for your dog. Some breeds are more susceptible to dental problem than others and your vet can suggest the right food for them

Products For Dog Dental Care

There are many products on the market now available for your dogs dental health, from specially designed biscuits, chewing bones (such as pigs ears), toothpastes and tooth brushes. By using them it will decrease the chance of your dog getting gum or teeth disease. Always use specially prepared dog toothpaste. Because dogs cannot rinse and spit after a brushing, the dog toothpaste must be safe for pets to swallow! Some human toothpaste contains detergents which can upset your dog’s stomachs, and, in addition, large quantities of ingested fluoride can harm your dog. To go with the toothpaste you can use a regular brush or a finger brush. The finger brush can easily be placed over your finger so that it is easier to brush your dog’s teeth. Consult your vet on what they recommend to be the most suitable for your dog’s teeth. Your dog’s teeth need to be cleaned at least twice a week. Do this and your dog will love you for it.

The insurance pays for the dog’s necessary treatments like surgeries, x-rays, laboratories, and a whole lot of others. So if you want to ensure your dog has the best insurance to maintain his health for a longer living life.

The Different Types of Dogs Health Insurance

Dog Health Insurance

Dog health care insurance provides for the lifetime health maintenance needed by the dog. Treatment covered includes hospitalization, prescription, vaccination, medication, treatments, and other laboratory tests. Some insurers also cover the dog’s annual examination and even flea control prescriptions too. Dog Life Insurance

Dog life insurance will normally cover all the veterinary bills that arise in the instance that the dog became very ill and may eventually die. This form of insurance may also cover the death of the dog due to accidents. This insurance policy covers majority of illnesses including cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive ailments. Some insurers may even include coverage for euthanasia. Dog Accident Insurance

This is the basic dog insurance, under this policy dogs are covered against accidents like ingestion of foreign bodies, accidents caused by motor vehicles, bone fractures caused by other things aside from a moving vehicle, burns allergic reactions, lacerations, ingestion of poison, insect bites, and stings. Dog Bite Insurance

The law requires dog owners to have an insurance that provides coverage for all the injuries that can be inflicted by their pets. This is to protect both the injured party and the dog owner against dog attacks. Comprehensive Dog Insurance

This is a comprehensive type of all dog insurances and will cover everything that a dog may need, from health maintenance to accidents, animal bites to life coverage. Recovery costs spent to locate the dog in the incident that it became lost is also covered. This type of dog insurance will cost relatively more than the others but again this insurance will cover almost everything.

There are three highly common things that threaten your dogs health in the winter months. The good news is that by taking a preventive measures and following the dog care tips below, you can keep your dog happy and healthy all winter long.

Avoid Dog Poisoning

Antifreeze kills dogs. It is reported that antifreeze has a taste that

dogs like so they are naturally attracted to it. As a responsible dog

owner, this dog care tips is one of the most important dog health care

tips that I can give you. Make sure that antifreeze is stored in a sealed

container and when flushing your radiator that you are quick to thoroughly wash

away any spills that may occur.

Protect Your Dogs Paws

Protect your dogs paws from harmful irritants such as salt when walking your dog

in the winter. You should know that both ice and salt can be harmful to

the pads on your dogs paws. Both can damage the skin leading to tears or

possible infections on the pad of the paw. Also, most dogs will lick the

salt off of their paws thus digesting the chemicals found in the road salt. pet

supply store. Your dog may resist wearing the booties at first but you

should be persistent in order to protect their sensitive paw pads. Play it safe

and train your dog to wear dog booties.

Provide Dry Bedding and Check Water Sources Regularly

If your dog spends any amount of time outdoors in the winter months

their are two things that you must be aware of. The first is providing

proper bedding and replacing it regularly so that it does not get wet and

freeze. Straw is great to use for bedding because it can easily be

replaced and it is a great insulator.

The second thing that you must pay careful attention to if your dog stays

outside in the winter months is their water bowl. A dogs water bowl will

quickly freeze in winter months so you must keep a close eye on it to assure

that your dog has access to fresh water.

By following these dog care tips for winter, you can assure that your dog

will be happy and healthy when warmer months roll around.