Dog Names, and How to Choose Them
May 1, 2009, 4:07 am
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dogs and childrenA woman was walking down the street when she saw a man waxing and polishing a red landrover. She noticed the license plate on the rover said DOG. This intrigued her, and she asked, “Excuse me, sir, but why does your license tag say DOG?”
He stopped working, grinned at her, and said, “I always wanted a rover named dog!”
You’ve finally gotten your new pet, and now it is time to decide what to call him or her. If you’ve gotten an older dog or a shelter dog, the dog may already have a name. If you like the name, great; if you don’t like the name, no problem. With a little work and patience, it is easy to get a dog to answer to another name. Choosing a new name that is similar to the old name will make it easier, though.
Naming your dog can be a lot like naming a child. It needs to fit the dog. Calling your fluffy little ball-of-fur Little Bit or Tiny might seem to be the perfect name — until he grows into a 150 pound Saint Bernard! Then it will probably seem ludicrous (though I have met Chihuahuas named Killer who really seemed to be trying to earn the name!) It should be short, preferably one or two syllables, and it should not be a name that might confuse the dog. For instance, “Sid” sounds like “sit” and could cause the dog confusion. If you have small children, choose a name they can say.
If you have a pedigree dog and you plan to show him, you will find that there are definite rules and regulations you need to follow. If you do not plan to show him, this will not be as crucial, though you will probably want to reflect the dog’s lineage in the “official” name. For example, my pedigree dachshund was Spango of Otsuki Prince Tom; otherwise known as Tom.
There are so many possibilities for your dog’s name! There are the well-loved, time-worn names like Rex, Champ, Buster, Pudgie, and yes, Rover. There are color names, like Blackie, Brownie, Big Red, Charcoal. Dogs are named after TV characters, gods, celebrities, and the pets of celebrities (Xena, Thor, Tupac, Asta and Fala.) Dogs are given “people” names, like Steve, Mike, Bobby, Sofia. I have known dogs named after food: Sugar, Pepper, Biscuit, and Gravy. The possibilities are almost endless!
Of course, you could follow the example of my grandfather. He was a championship skeet shooter and an avid bird hunter, so his dogs were all hunting dogs, He had 17 dogs in his lifetime, 16 black cocker spaniels and one dalmatian. Every one of his dogs was named Donnie!
Whichever name you choose, make sure that it fits the dog, and that it fits you. Make sure you feel comfortable using it, because you will be using it for a long time.
For those of you who have still not decided on a dog, you can find an excellent source to help you HERE.
Good Sources for Your Dog
April 19, 2009, 6:46 pm
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Uncategorized A good breeder with a well-maintained kennel is an excellent source for a purebred dog. Visit the kennel, inspect it thoroughly, and ask questions. Are the animals comfortable and well-cared for? Are they happy and excited to see their owner, or are they apathetic or withdrawn? Does the owner speak to them and interact with them, or are they treated more as property? If you are considering one of the large or giant breeds, such as a Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shepherd, or Mastiff, ask about hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the joint that can lead to lameness, pain, and arthritis. It is genetic, at least in part, and afflicts the giant and large breeds, and some of the medium breeds. It is exacerbated by exercise, which means if you are planning on spending a lot of time exercising and playing with your dog, hip dysplasia could destroy your plans. Medication can help, but sometimes surgery is required. It afflicts primarily purebreds, but also mixed breeds whose parents are afflicted or carry the genes.
Ask the breeder if the dogs are PennHIP or OFA certified. PennHIP is a program run by the Pennsylvania Veterinary school. OFA is a registration program run by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. For more information on these programs, you can visit the web sites at http://www.pennhip.org and http://www.offa.org.
Newspaper ads can be a good source for an older dog. Life happens — people get sick or die, go into retirement homes, get relocated,and loose their homes, all events that can force them to give up their pets. So they advertise to try to find a good home for their pets. These animals are usually an excellent find, well-loved, well-cared for, housebroken and trained. They are very good for a first-time dog owner. Just be sure to ask about the medical history, as well as the dog’s likes and dislikes,and habits.
Veterinarian offices can be a good source, as they sometimes have clients who need to give up their pets.
People giving away free dogs at Wal-Mart. These are usually mixed-breed “accidents”, the result of people who can’t or won’t get their dogs neutered. We have gotten some really good dogs this way, but it can be a bit of a gamble. The father(s) are unknown, so you can’t be sure of what you are getting, as to size. We once got a “Pomeranian” mix. When he reached our knees, we were pretty sure daddy WASN’T a Pomeranian!
Friends and relatives can be an excellent source. You know the mother, you may know the father. You know what you are getting as to size, disposition, energy levels, and so forth.
The sources I expecially want to advocate are the shelters. The Humane Society states that 6 to 8 MILLION dogs are taken in by shelters every year, and tragically nearly half of them must be destroyed. Some are old, sick, or injured, but a lot of them are wonderful dogs that simply run out of luck and time — they would be marvelous pets, but they aren’t adopted in time, so they are destroyed to make room for the next wave of animals. There are many organizations trying to prevent this by setting up No-Kill shelters, but there are just too many dogs. So please, please, PLEASE consider a shelter dog! You can even put in a request for a particular breed, or mixed breed, and they will contact you if one comes in.
I am not saying there are no problems with a shelter dog. You need to ask questions and find out why the dog is there, because sometimes a dog is abandoned because it has behavioral problems that can’t be remedied, such as a chronic biter. It might have health problems. And dogs from public shelters can get “kennel cough” (a respiratory ailment that can lead to pneumonia). You are required to neuter the animal and get its shots updated. There are fees involved, but the fees often include discounts for spaying and neutering. Fees at the public animal shelter include licensing fees.
One final, exceptional source: If you have a prison or correctional facility in your area, ask if they have a dog/inmate program. Our local prison has a program called “Friends From the Pen”. Dogs are chosen and matched with inmate volunteers. The inmates work with the dogs daily, grooming them, caring for them, and training them. The result is an outstanding pet. The program has so many benefits for both the dogs and the inmates, that I wish it was offered in every correctional facility. I can not advocate for this program enough!
Dogs have been bred through the years to have particular traits and dispositions. A mixed breed will generally have traits from both breeds. Knowing these traits will help you pick the best dog for you and your family, and you can find help picking the best dog HERE.
Where NOT to Get Your Dog
April 11, 2009, 9:01 pm
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puppy millsOnce you have decided on what breed dog you want, where do you find him or her? There are a number of sources, depending on how much you want to spend, and whether you want a puppy, or an adult dog, and whether you want a purebred dog, a mixed breed (a cross between 2 purebreds, such as a cockapoo), or a “mutt”.
A note here on pedigrees: I have had 2 pedigreed dogs, and personally, unless you plan to show the dog, or are a professional breeder, I can see no bonus to having papers except for snob appeal. It CAN be an assist to getting a good dog, IF you understand basic genetics and breeding. But papers in themselves are no guarantee that you are getting a good, healthy animal. My black cocker spaniel, Candy Kisses, had papers. She was descended from a long line of champions. Unfortunately in Candy’s case, the breeder did not understand genetics, and in order to “preserve the bloodline” inbred the dogs. The result was that poor Candy was blind at a year, and dead at 3 because of a congenital heart defect.
The thing to understand is that there are breeders, and there are “breeders”. Breeders understand what traits are most desired for the breed, and are constantly trying to preserve and improve the breed. “Breeders”, on the other hand, could not care less. They have the “I have a girl dog, you have a male dog, let’s breed ‘em and sell the puppies” mentality. They don’t care about the breed; they don’t even care about the dog. It’s all about money. The result is inferior dogs. “Breeders” are responsible for most of the problems with pit bulls and the other “bully” breeds.
The worst place to get a dog is a pet shop. The whole objective of a pet shop is profit, so they get their puppies from “puppy mills”. In a puppy mill, dogs are kept in cramped cages and given only the care necessary to keep them alive. They are denied veterinary care, human interaction, exercise, love — all the things any living creature needs to thrive and be happy. The poor females are bred constantly until they are so worn out they can’t reproduce any more, and then they are usually killed, often by abandonment or starvation. (For a full disclosure of these horrible, inhumane places, please go to http://www.stoppuppymills.org, which is run by the Humane Society of the United States.) The big national pet stores are not the only ones guilty of this practice. A privately-owned local pet store was closed just last week because it was a puppy mill. You have NO guarantees of where your dog came from, what it’s breeding was, or the conditions in which it was bred or raised if it comes from a pet store.
The Internet. I cannot conceive of buying a dog that I could not inspect or interact with, before purchase. Many of these are also puppy mills. If you are considering an Internet source, check it out with the Better Business Bureau, and with http://www.ripoffreports.com. (There is a lot of controversy and trash on Ripoff Reports, but I have found good info there, too.)
Magazine ads. You might think that an advertisement in a dog magazine would guarantee a good breeder, but unfortunately that is not the case. Magazines profit from their ad revenue, and they are not going to be overly fussy over who buys the space. The ad might be from a reputable breeder, and it might be from a puppy mill. Again, I would not want to buy a puppy unless I could inspect the premises, or at least get some verifiable endorsements for the business.
Newspaper ads and flyers. These might be legitimate, or these might be for puppy mills and “breeders”, but at least you can check them out. If the seller wants to meet you somewhere besides their home, do NOT deal with them! Go to their home. Ask to see the parents, or at least the mother. Inspect the mother’s living quarters and her health. Ask if the parents have any medical problems. Ask what the pup is being fed, and ask what shots it has received. Ask for the shot record. Ask any and all questions you can think of to determine how your dog was bred, how it has been raised, and how it — and it’s parents — are treated. If anything makes you uneasy or suspicious, WALK AWAY!! Ask for a refund or warranty, and plan to take your dog to a vet for a thorough check-up as soon as possible. This is a case of “Buyer Beware”, so take all possible steps to protect yourself.
Part of protecting yourself is knowing your breed. You need to know what traits are attributed to that breed, what kind of disposition to expect. If you know the good points of the breed, it is easier to spot any flaws. You can get help finding this knowledge HERE.
This blog has told you the bad places to look for your dog. My next blog will tell you the good places!
Giving a Dog for a Gift
April 1, 2009, 12:02 pm
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choosing a dog,
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choosing dog to fit lifestlyeWe dogs lovers get so much pleasure from our pets! I guess it’s just natural to want the people we love to have that pleasure, too. So when we read that pets are good for the mental health of the elderly, and can even prolong their lives, we think, “A pet dog!” Or we think that a puppy would be such a good pet for little Mary (and teach her responsibility, besides!) And we all have that image (inspired by Lady and the Tramp, no doubt) of the happy new owner opening a gift box and being thrilled with a sweet little puppy. But reconsider.
If Aunt Tessa uses a walker, the thought of a dog jumping against her is going to inspire fear, not pleasure! If Uncle Joe’s back is so stiff he can hardly tie his shoes, he’s not going to welcome the idea of cleaning up after a dog. And little Mary may not be ready for the responsibility, or just may not want a dog!
Years ago a friend gave me a beautiful black cocker spaniel. She was a wonderful dog, with a long pedigree. I named her Candy Kisses. She was intelligent. responsive, loving, and I loved dogs, so it would have been a great gift, EXCEPT…..
At the time I was working an insane, inhumane shift called the Southern Swing. This involved a rotation of 7 days, 7 swings, 7 graveyards, and worked out that I got ONE weekend a month off!! I didn’t have time to train her or properly care for her, or to just be with her! The last thing I needed, after working all night, was a lonely, needy, attention-starved little dog jumping all over me when I was trying to sleep. And the last thing she needed was an exhausted, grouchy owner. I ended up begging my friend to take her back. (Since he get her for me because secretly HE wanted a black cocker spaniel, that worked out perfectly!)
If you still want to give a dog, first, make sure the person would really like a dog, and try to find out what kind they would like. Then, take them to pick the dog out. Aunt Tessa might really enjoy an older dog that is less likely to jump up on her. A dog that’s already housebroken might really please Uncle Joe — especially if you arrange to have the yard cleaned regularly for him! Little Mary really needs to pick her own pet out and bond with it, or else she might consider him just another chore, and even resent him. Do it right, and the dog can enrich their lives for years.
To Help You Pick Out the Best Dog for Them, Go HERE.
Choosing Your Dog
March 25, 2009, 4:40 am
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dogsSo, the grim statistics I gave you in my last blog haven’t deterred you. Great!! The right dog can be one of the best companions you could have. But it’s very important that you choose the right dog, one that will fit in with your temperament, your lifestyle, and your expectations.
What are your living arrangements? Your choice of dog will be far different if you live in a small apartment versus what you could choose if you live on a farm! You could find a groomer for a long-haired dog much easier in a city than you could in a small town. You probably wouldn’t want to have a Mexican Hairless in Minnesota, nor a dachshund if you spend a lot of time on the beach. (From my own experience, I can tell you that dachshunds do not navigate ocean waves well!)
What is your lifestyle? You will need a dog that matches your energy level; a couch potato would not be very happy with a high-energy dog like a dalmatian or Jack Russell terrier. Someone who is constantly on the go would do best with a short-haired, easy-to-groom dog. If you have children, you need to consider their personalities, too, when choosing your pet. You would want a far different dog for a sports-minded, energetic child than you would choose for a quiet bookworm.
What do you expect from the dog? Is he going to be a family pet, or is he going to be a working or hunting dog? Some breeds are easier to train, learn more, and respond quicker than others. This might be an important consideration.
And finally, what is your temperament? Some breeds are laid back, while others tend to be nervous and easily excited. Which would fit your temperament better? If you tend to be nervous, like me, an excitable, yappy little dog might really irritate you, while one of the more placid breeds will calm you and help you relax. This, also, is a very important consideration.
A very useful resource for answering these questions can be found HERE.
Are You Ready to Own a Dog?
It’s amazing. People spend a great deal of time choosing a blender, stereo, or vacuum. They research online. They check out Consumer Reports. They compare different models, and ask family, friends, and salesmen. They will spend hours, days, even weeks to make sure they choose exactly the right machine to fit their needs. But they will choose a living, breathing, feeling animal on an impulse or whim, because it was cute, or some celebrity has one, or even because it was in a movie, tv program, or cartoon they saw! The results of this can be disastrous for the dogs; thousands end up abandoned in dog pounds and are destroyed every year, just because they didn’t fit in with the owner and his lifestyle.
Dog ownership should never be entered into lightly. A dog can live for 14 years or more, so it must be viewed as a long-term commitment of time, money, and love.
Dog ownership is a definite commitment of time. Dogs are social creatures, and need considerable interaction with their owners to be happy. Also, they need a lot of training. Dogs on tv and in the movies seem so smart and do such wonderful things! But we forget that there is a trainer on the sidelines directing each step of that trick, and there is nothing to show how many takes were required to film that trick! In truth, mentally a dog is comparable to a small child. Like a small child, he needs to be told what to do (or what NOT to do) many times. The average dog may require 25 to 40 repetitions of a command or training exercise before he learns it. The dumbest dogs may require 80 to 100 repetitions. Also like a small child, a dog often will not obey right away. The average dog will obey on the first command about 50% of the time, while the dumbest dogs will obey on the first command only about 25% of the time. The main thing to consider is that the child will get smarter as it gets older; the dog will not.
Dog ownership is a commitment of money. People often figure the cost of owning a dog as the cost of feeding him, and forget all the additional expenses. The cost of feeding a dog can be as low as $10.00 a month for the smallest breeds, or $100.00 a month for the larger breeds. The average is about $270.00 a year for a medium-sized dog. You can expect to pay $100.00 to $200.00 for shots, heartworm medicine, flea control, and vet checkups. Spaying or neutering will cost from $35.00 to $150.00. Grooming will cost about $15.00 for a short-haired dog you can groom yourself, to hundreds for a long-haired breed that must be professionally groomed. Licenses run about $20.00. So you can figure the BASIC expenses at $300.00 to $500.00 a year. Plus, if you are a renter, you will probably be required to put up a $50.00 to $200.00 pet deposit. If you are a homeowner, you may find your homeowner’s insurance goes up. And, you have to remember that dogs can be very destructive, so you may need to spend a considerable amount for repairs and replacement.
But, on the dog’s part, it is a commitment of love. A dog defines unconditional love and loyalty. Your friends might abandon you, your spouse might leave you, but your dog will be right there beside you. So if you still want a dog, take the time to find the best breed for you. The extra effort will be well rewarded.
For More on This Subject, And For Descriptions of the 28 Most Popular Breeds, Click Here.
