Caution comes first when considering a puppy
Make a mistake and you and your dog will live with the consequences for a long time
Moe Milstein, Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, May 15, 2006
A journalist and animal lover is getting a new puppy and she's thrilled. She's thrilled not just with the anticipation of welcoming a 12-week-old bull terrier into her life but also, it seems, with the breeder of the pups, a lady of some 30 years experience who gave her the following advice:
"In the morning," wrote newspaper columnist Christie Blatchford, quoting the breeder, "he gets an organic banana, about two tablespoons of low-fat, plain, organic yogurt, and a jar of some organic baby cereal . . . And he gets goat's milk," she added, clearly brooking no argument." As for the rest of his food -- and at this point it should come as no surprise -- the breeder insists on a raw-meat diet.
Blatchford was not dismayed by the forceful but somewhat idiosyncratic views of the breeder. On the contrary, it is clear from her column that she was heartened by them. The breeder's views might be a bit eccentric, but to Blatchford, they were further evidence of her devotion.
On such things as this and on less tangible qualities like her observation that the breeder called her pups "boys," Blatchford, like many of us would in her situation, placed her trust in the breeder.
The good news is that she will probably do all right in the end. Bull terriers are a hardy breed with virtually no recognized genetic problems. Had she picked another breed -- one of the retrievers, or herding dogs, or miniature breeds -- she might not have been so lucky.
Problems such as hip dysplasia, which can cripple any of the larger breeds, or eye problems leading to blindness, or heart disease that can shorten a dog's life, are rampant among purebred dogs. Unstable temperaments, aggression, neurotic fears and hyperactivity also plague certain lines and breeds.
Unlike the experience of buying a car or appliance that turns out to be a lemon, a poor choice will leave the owner not only with a decade of regret but a living creature whose infirmities must be cared for. So making the right choice at the very beginning is critical.
Most breeders are enthusiastic hobbyists who truly care about improving the breed and providing a healthy product. Some are less scrupulous. In either case, some simple precautions can provide the potential buyer with greater certainty about the success of their pending commitment.
Ask to see the parents even if your knowledge of genetics goes no further than Mendel's experiments with peas. Chances are that the offspring will resemble the parents in size, appearance and, most importantly, in temperament. The father is often not available, having served merely as a sperm donor, but even a photo of the sire is helpful. If the bitch is -- well, bitchy -- her pups stand a good chance of inheriting her personality.
If the breed is known to be prone to developing hip dysplasia, do not simply accept the breeder's assurance that there is none in the line. Ask for proof. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals is a widely used organization that evaluates hip x-rays of potential breeding stock and supplies a certificate classifying the soundness of hips and elbows. Ask to see the certificates of dam and sire.
Visit the kennel and see for yourself what the state of care is. As the number of dogs on the premises increases, the chances of transmissible disease and parasitism increase.
Ignore the long scrolls of pedigree and the blue ribbons. Those champions so proudly touted are mostly just beauty contest winners who never even had to answer a skill-testing question.
Ignore the guarantee that comes with the purchase. Very few people will ever return a dog once they have taken it home. You don't give your children back, do you?
Do not buy purebred dogs from a middleman. They are in business as brokers. Their only concern is the money.
Most important, discuss your plans with your veterinarian before you set out.
Dr. Moe Milstein runs the Blueridge-Cove Animal Hospital in North Vancouver.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006