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About the Scottish Terrier Is a Scottie Right for you? Why Adopt an Older Dog? Scottish Terrier FAQ Scottish Terrier Breed Standard (Note: this is an offsite link and will take you to AKC's page on Scotties) AVAR's Guide Congenital and Heritable Diseases in
Dogs
Home ***Special Thanks to the Hill's at Charthill Scottish Terriers for the use of "Cooper" - Ch. Charthill Bravo for our Breed Information image***
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How to pick a puppy that’s
right for you.
Choosing a dog or puppy is an important decision. Animals are a lifetime commitment and need to be chosen with careful thought. The pet you pick will rely on you and you alone for its meals, proper grooming, trips to the vet to keep her healthy, and appropriate training to make her a valued and cherished member of the family. Most dogs live anywhere from 10-15 years. You need to decide if you are ready for that type of commitment, where is your life headed for the next decade? You also need to assess what type of activity level that you are looking for in a dog. Are you active? Or a couch potato? Do you have room for a large dog? Or would a small one better suit your needs. What kind of time and money are you able to afford for grooming and training? All these questions will direct your decision in choosing that special pup. The first step should be to decide on the breed or breeds that you are interested in? Are you a Terrier person, or someone who would enjoy the company of a Basset hound? Do you want a Borzoi or a Chihuahua? Take some time to go to the local bookstore or library and read up on some breed profiles or summaries. You might find out that the dog that you really wanted wouldn't’t fit your lifestyle at all. After you have researched your breed and decided on one, or several, contact breeders of these types of dogs. Talk to people who have actually owned one. What are the pros, cons, energy requirements and health problems of those particular breeds? Are there breeders close by? Are you planning on getting a puppy or a rescue dog? You should never choose a dog solely based on a role in a movie or a chance meeting in the park. Just because you've seen one Scottie don't think you've seen them all. Look for a responsible breeder. A responsible breeder will ask you questions about why you want this type of dog. What your lifestyle is like. What type of health care are you willing or able to afford. Do you want a pet puppy, show puppy, or a retired adult? Some breeders will check for references, so have some ready, your veterinarian is a good one to give, also your local trainer or several close friends that know you and your dogs. A responsible breeder will check for health problems associated with the breed, and won’t pass those problems on. They will also provide some type of health guarantee on their pups as well as checking in often with you to see how they are developing and if you have any problems. If you are getting a dog from rescue, you should expect many of the same questions that a breeder would ask. What is your lifestyle like? Why do you want this particular type of dog? Chances are you would be getting an older dog, as rescue rarely gets anything under the age of 2 years, and typically gets dogs from 4-6 years of age. Be prepared to fill out a questionnaire and have the group come to your house and talk with you. They want to insure a perfect placement, and make sure they match the right dog to your family. Sometimes it takes a while, but they are well worth the wait. These are some links to good puppy information, as well as dog breed selectors. They will get you started on your search for picking the perfect dog. Good luck and remember, a puppy is a lifetime commitment. Good luck in your search for the perfect puppy!!!!! |