The Truth About Purebred Dogs: Pros and Cons
You want a purebred because you want a certain size, appearance, and temperament. But there are problems with purebred dogs – potential health problems and “hardwired” behavioral issues that could be difficult to live with.
The Truth About Crossbred Dogs: Pros and Cons
Crossbred dogs often have a more “middle-of-the-road” appearance and temperament and better health than purebred dogs. But….you need to avoid all the misinformation and hype.
The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs: Pros and Cons
Can you tell, by looking at a mixed breed dog, which breeds he’s mixed with? No, but I’ll tell you how you CAN tell. And we’ll talk about hybrid vigor, too.
Adopting a Dog From a Rescue Group
A rescue group isn’t like an animal shelter – you can’t just drive in and pick out a dog. Here’s how a rescue group works.
Adopting a Dog From The Animal Shelter
Each evening, you drive past the animal shelter on your way home from work. Their sign pleads, “Save a life. Adopt one of our dogs!” Should you go in and see what’s available?
Buying From a Pet Store
Every pet shop will assure you, solemnly, that their puppies are different. Their puppies don’t come from puppy mills, but from conscientious local breeders. Pillars of the community, in fact.
Is Your Breeder Knowledgeable or Clueless?
You probably don’t picture Margie Denton as a breeder. Margie is 68 years old. She lives in an apartment with her two Shih Tzus, Dolly and Buster. Margie tried to keep them apart when Dolly was in heat, but alas, Margie eventually had to put an ad in the local paper: “Purebred AKC Shih Tzu puppies.” Would it surprise you to learn that, even with her single litter, Margie is a breeder – that, in fact, MOST breeders are just like Margie?
How To Choose a Puppy
You may have been advised by well-meaning friends to let a puppy choose YOU. “Pick the one who runs right up to you!” they say. But this simply results in the bold and pushy puppies being taken first, while the gentler puppies (who can make calmer pets) wait politely in the background and get ignored.
Are AKC Papers Important?
So your friend says, “I just bought a puppy and she has AKC papers and a pedigree!” He expects you to respond with an awed whistle. Which is tough to do because a more accurate response is….yawn. Here’s why.
Male Dogs vs Female Dogs
Every dog is an individual, but there are some clear differences between the two, and some not-so-clear differences, that might help you choose.
How To Raise a Healthy Dog Who Lives a Long Life
In my articles, you won’t be reading that you should feed your dog a premium commercial dog food like Science Diet. You won’t be reading that kibble is good for your dog’s teeth. Or that he needs booster shots every year. What you WILL be reading is my advice on sensible feeding and health care so your dog lives a long healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet.
The Best Dog Food
….is real food. Real chicken, turkey, beef, bison, venison, fish. Fresh vegetables. Yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese. No, this is not “people food.” Calling real food “people food” makes it sound as though people are the only living creatures entitled to eat real food. That’s not true. Dr. Martin Goldstein DVM says, “You can boost your pet’s health profoundly by making one simple decision. All you have to do is change his diet from commercial-brand fare to something you may never have imagined giving him – real food.”
The Second-Best Dog Food For Your Dog
If you typed ‘dog feeding tips’ into Google, you were probably looking for the best brand of kibble or canned dog food. Unfortunately, if you read the article directly above this one, you’ll see why there are no kibble or canned dog food brands that are truly healthy for your dog. But don’t give up hope! I actually do have some dog feeding tips to give you in this article.
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations do puppies really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The official recommendations have changed – a lot. Find out what some vets aren’t telling you.
The Type of Veterinarian I Recommend
Does your veterinarian belong to the AVMA or the AHVMA? These organizations are very different, and which one you choose can make a world of difference to the future health of your dog.
