Mixed Breeds For Dummies. Miriam Fields-Babineau
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Название: Mixed Breeds For Dummies

Автор: Miriam Fields-Babineau

Издательство: John Wiley & Sons Limited

Жанр: Биология

Серия:

isbn: 9781119711445

isbn:

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      Breeders

      If you’re searching for a designer puppy, finding a breeder is the best first choice. The best way to locate a breeder is either through your local newspaper’s classifieds section or on the Internet. Based on my observation, accidental breeders (people who didn’t intend to breed their dog) are most likely to advertise in the newspaper, on craigslist, or on local marketplace websites, whereas designer-dog breeders are most likely to have websites. This is just a general rule, though — as with any rule, there are exceptions, which is why you need to know what to look for in any breeder, no matter where you found him.

      

Whether you’re talking to a designer-dog breeder, or an accidental breeder of a non-designer mix, here’s a list of questions to ask:

       Was this litter planned? If so, it’s more likely that your pup will be healthy because the breeder wants to produce good-quality pups.

       How long have you been breeding dogs? If the breeder says that the breeding wasn’t intended, it’s likely that his dog got loose and was bred by the neighborhood Casanova. If the breeder tells you that he’s been doing it for several years, there’s a good chance he is knowledgeable about the process.

       If the litter was planned, how did you choose the parentage for this litter? The breeder should relate the good genetic background of the parentage (for example, good health and temperament).

       If the litter was planned, what types of health screens were done on the parent dogs? A responsible breeder will have the parents’ hips, eyes, and heart checked for abnormalities. Reputable breeders keep copious records of all dogs crossing their paths. The breeders of planned litters generally have health tests performed on the dogs they intend to breed. These clearances give puppy breeders the ability to guarantee the health of the puppies for a period of time (generally up to a year).

       Can you give me the names and phone numbers of people who have bought puppies from you in the past? A good breeder will be proud of his puppy placements. References shouldn’t be a problem.

       What do you look for in a potential puppy purchaser? A concerned breeder wants the best homes for his pups.

       Can you give me a copy of the pup’s health records? All pups should get their first worming at 5 weeks, another at 7 weeks, and their first vaccines at 7 weeks.

       What are the puppies being fed? If they’re receiving a good-quality food (see Chapter 7), the breeder cares about giving the pups a good start.
If and when you actually visit the home of the breeder, ask yourself the following questions:

       Is the odor overwhelmingly bad, tolerable, or nonexistent? You want your puppy to come from a place that’s clean, so the less offensive the odor, the better.

       Where are the puppies being contained? If they’re inside the breeder’s home, they’re likely to get lots of early socialization, which is very important to their future behavioral development. If they’re outside in a kennel, or merely with the mother, who is tied up outside, the pups probably never received proper handling or care.

       How big is the operation? Is this the breeder’s profession? If so, the kennel may be large, but should not contain more than two different types of hybrid mixes.

       Do you see external parasites (such as fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and mange) on the puppies? If the pups are kept outdoors in unsanitary conditions, they’ll probably have one or more external parasites along with some internal ones.

      

With all the money to be made on designer dogs, lots of breeders are popping up claiming to have designer puppies, without giving any thought to the backgrounds of the parents. Many of these breeders have become puppy mills, merely churning out pups without regard to the welfare of the animals.

      Shelters

      Animal shelters (including humane societies) are great places to find a mixed-breed dog. If you get a dog from a shelter, you’re helping in many ways. You’ll be saving a life. Plus, your adoption fees go toward helping other homeless pets.

      Getting a dog from a shelter does carry some risk — you may be bringing home a dog who’s sick. But the rewards outweigh the risk. (To minimize your risk, be sure to ask questions — see “Knowing Which Questions to Ask,” later in this chapter.)

      Rescue groups

      Most rescue groups are dedicated to specific breeds, but they often take in dogs who are mixes of the breed they work with. Other rescue groups take in dogs of any breed.

The best place to locate a rescue group is through the Internet. Most rescue groups and humane societies tend to advertise their adoptable dogs on Petfinder.com. The AKC also has a page on its website that lists breed-specific rescue organizations (www.akc.org/akc-rescue-network).

      When you’ve found a dog you’re interested in, your work has only just begun. You need to ask questions (either of the breeder, the shelter workers, or the rescue-group guardians) so that your decision is a rational one, not one based on how adorable the dog is. Here’s a list of questions to start with:

       What breeds are part of the dog’s makeup? The breeds that are part of the dog’s family tree will give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of personality, size, and other attributes. (See Chapter 3 for more on all this.) The dog’s current guardian may not be able to recognize every breed, but she should be able to give you an educated guess.

       Which vaccinations has the dog received? Has the dog been neutered or spayed? Is the dog receiving heartworm and flea preventative? Some shelters, such as those in rural areas, don’t have the funds to handle these health issues, whereas most rescue groups make certain that these things are immediately handled upon the dog’s acceptance into their organization.

       What is the dog’s personality like? How about her social skills? If the dog you’re considering has been in a foster home for a while, the current guardian should be aware of the dog’s overall behavior patterns.

       How much exercise does she currently get? Is it enough to keep her satisfied?

       What is her behavior like when she’s in the house? Does she live harmoniously with other dogs or cats?

       How does she do when walking on a leash?

       Has she learned any obedience commands? If so, what are they? Be sure to ask how to perform those commands with СКАЧАТЬ