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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-12-02, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1987. 2# How to choose the right puppy All puppies are cute and appeal­ ing, but the adorable pup you adopt today could quite possibly turn into an unsatisfactory adult dog if you make a hasty or uninformed choice. The type of dog most suitable for you depends in part on where you live, the size of your home, the ages of the household members, and the amount of time and money you and your family are willing and able to spend on coat care, exercise, feeding, training, boarding, etc. DO SOME RESEARCH Once you have a general idea about the type of dog you want, do some research into breeds that fill the bill. Go to dog shows, if possible. Talk to owners and breeders. Read all you can about various breeds of dogs - what they Gardening gifts will never go out of style Is that wide tie your wife gave you for Christmas in 1973 still hibernating in the back of your closet waiting to come back in style? Why not give a gift this year that will still be cared for 15 years from now? Why not give the gift of gardening? Gardening can give enjoyment now and for many years to come - without ever going out of style. Instead of giving just a plant this holiday season, why not outfit a future plant lover with everything he or she will need to begin a hobby that will last a lifetime! Caring for a plant from seed to maturity instills a genuine sense of satisfaction in the budding horti­ culturist, while providing a wide array of benefits, both therapeutic and aesthetic, particularly for children and the elderly. When giving the gift of garden­ ing, the experts suggest that you trytomatch a seed or plantwith your future garden buff’s home environment. “For new home gardeners, it’s best to pick a plant that will flourish 9-5Daily 1-5Sunday UNIVERSITY SWEAT SHIRTS See //tat /p* adectttMt a&id aenutee GIFT CERTIFICATES MANNING'S BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD. 120 Hamilton St. BLYTH .... 523-9305 were originally bred for, how much exercise they need and the kind of temperament they have. Purebred puppies. These dogs have been selectively bred in order to achieve particular physical and behavioral characteristics. A pure­ bred pup from a reputable breeder will grow up to have the physical and temperamental traits it is meant to have. Poor, careless, or uninformed breeding may result in unsatisfactory puppies that can develop physical disorders or behavioral problems. If you decide that you want a purebred pup, it is very important to choose a reput­ able breeder. Mixed breeds. A mixed-breed puppy will usually have some characteristics of each parent. You indoors,” says plant expert, Ro­ bert Maronde. “And if you know where the plant will be raised, all the better. For instance, if the plant will be in plenty of sunlight, a chrysanthe­ mum is ideal. “Or, if the person to whom y ou ’ re giving the gift of green lives in a home without much direct sunlight, something like a water­ melon begonia might be a better choice.’’ Once you select the right plant, the next step is to select an attractive, durable planter. Mar­ onde recommends plastic planters over clay or wood. “Clay and wood containers absorb and hold moisture,” Mar­ onde explains. “This moisture can pass through the base and sides of the planter and ruin or damage tables, shelves and floors.” For novice and experienced gardenersalike, indoors or out, plastic planters ensure trouble­ free watering. Marondealsopoints outthat, the more attractive the planter, the more quickly the plant will become may end up with anything from a good blending of the best of both parents to a much less happy combination of undesirable genes. Ifpossible, try tofindoutallyou can about the ancestry of a mixed-breed pup, and try to see both parents. WHERE TO GET A PUP Thatdepends on whether you want a purebred or mixed-breed dog. But no matter where you get a puppy, have it checked by your own veterinarian right away. Animal Shelters. A clean, well­ run shelter can be a good source for a mixed-breed puppy, but the staff can seldom provide more than an educated guess about a pup’s parentage. Most shelters see to it that their wards have been immun­ ized and examined by a veterinar­ ian. a point of pride within any home. Plastic planters, available in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes, accent any room decor. And they are durable enough to endure many seasons - indoors and out. You now have chosen the right plant or seed and the right pot. Your local garden supply retailer can recommend which nutrient­ rich potting soils and fertilizers best accommodate the plant you selected as your gift, and may impart other enjoyable and inter­ esting home gardening tips for you to pass along with your gift. What better way to while away those long winter afternoons than learning how to plant and care for a flower or a plant? And the enjoyment can begin immediately - as soon as the seed hits the soil. Home gardening can be enjoyed along after that wide tie has come and gone out of style again! II Backyard Breeders. Mixed- breed puppies born to a friend’s or neighbor’s pet can be healthy and sound. If you have met the puppies’ mother (and possibly the father) and know that the owners have taken good care of both, you will usually get a satisfactory puppy. The same does not hold true for “purebred” pups bred by amateurs for profit. Irresponsible individuals will take advantage of the popularity of a particular breed of dog, especially around holiday time, and lure unsuspecting buy­ ers with so-called cut-rate prices (often very high for what you get). Unfortunately, these people usu­ ally know little if anything about proper breeding, health proce­ dures and genetics, and the resulting puppies can endup with a myriad of built-in problems. Pet Stores. Where did that cute little puppy in the window come from? How long did it travel before it got to the pet shop? What diseases has it been exposed to? What were its parents like? How old was it when it was taken away from its mother? How old is it now? Was it raised by caring people or has it spent its life in a cage? Think about these questions before you are tempted to buy an expensive puppy from a pet store. Usually, even pet-store employees have no answers to most of these questions. While you may get a satisfactory pup from a pet store, you will be taking a big chance that the pup you choose is either physically or emotionally defi­ cient. Unless you know for certain that the pet store has a sound local reputation and stands firmly- be­ hind its guarantees, don’t let your-self in for the heartache of buying an unhealthy animal. Reputable Breeders. If you have decided on a purebred puppy, find a reputable breeder who specializ­ es in one or two breeds of dog and is devoted to producing physically and behaviorally sound animals. To find a reputable breeder, ask a local breed club, an owner, or an veterinarian. Show-quality puppies can be expensive, but a breeder may offer you a “pet-quality” pup for far less. There is usually nothing wrong with these pups except a tiny imperfection that might dis­ qualify them for showing or breeding for show, but that will not affect their roles as loving pets. Before you and your family actually pick a pup from a littler, talk to the breeder and investigate the litter’s lineage. Be sure to obtain a written guarantee that the pup’s ancestors have a clean bill of health. CHOOSE CAREFULLY It can be hard to choose one from a litter of adorable puppies. Sometimes the choice seems to be made for you when a tiny wet nose nuzzles your hand as if the pup is saying, “Take me. ” Your deci­ sion, however, should be made on more than just instinct. TO PICK A HEALTHY WELL-ADJUSTED PUPPY 1. Do not get a puppy before it is at least 8 weeks old. To develop properly, a pup needs to spend this minimal amount of time with the litter. 2. Choose a puppy that is in perfect health. 3. Even though it may be cute, do notchoose the runt of the litter. Many runts do not live to maturity because of congenital problems. Those thatdomay haveongoing physical or behavioral faults. 4. The most assertive pup in the litter is likely to become an aggressive dog. Unless you are experienced in dog handling, this is not the puppy for you. 5. The shyest, most timid puppy in the litter may also develop behavioral problems. Select a pup that interacts well with its litter­ mates. 6. Besuretopickupthepupof your choice. Look it over carefully, then put it down and observe it away from the litter. /l&ue /It... • Chimney Brushes • Panelling and Carpet • Vanities MANNING'S IDEAL GIFT SUGGESTIONS: • University of Blyth Sweat Shirts •Amuzin - Konfuzin Puzzles •Tub Kit Walls •Oak look toilet seats with brass hinges*Wheelbarrows • Padded Toilet Seats • Space Maker Shelves • Power Tools • Flashlites •Darts and Dart Boards • Low Energy Heaters {•Rangehoods OF BLYTH • Skates & Sports Equipment • Gift Certificates AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!