Dogs Site
	Sandy Moyer BellaOnline's Dogs Editor

The Right Dog for You, Part Three - Choosing a Breeder
A purebred puppy should always be bought from the actual breeder of the litter. Good breeders will NEVER sell to pet shops or dog brokers.

Dog Breed Selector - from Purina [offsite link]
Fill out as much of the survey as possible to help Purina recommend the best dog breeds for you.

Dog Ownership Self -Test [offsite link]
Dogs make great companions & friends, but they require a degree of responsibility that not everyone can achieve. Don´t add to the huge number of dogs in shelters that will be euthanized. Ask yourself these questions from the USDA. If you can answer yes to all the questions, best wishes on your new dog! If you must answer no to several of them, dog ownership may not be right for you.

Dogs and Cats Living Together? [offsite link]
Dogs and cats can live together in harmony. Statistics show that 40% of all dog owners have a cat in the home as well. This site gives you basic tips for introducing the newest pet, help identify sources of conflict and reduce or eliminate them, and help your cat and dog live together peacefully.

Dogs to Match Your Lifestyle [offsite link]
Most dogs are active social creatures who thrive on your company and benefit from trips and outdoor activities. When getting a dog consider your hobbies and daily activities as well as the local climatic conditions and choose a dog that can accompany you as much as possible. Read more...

Find the Dog That´s Right for You [offsite link]
With so many amazing dogs to choose from, you may find yourself in a dog breed dilemma. Pedigree´s SELECT-A-DOG® questionnaire guides you through the maze of canine possibilities. It’s a fun way to narrow your choices down to a list of the top 10 breeds that would be best for you and your lifestyle.

Finding the Right Pet Dog [offsite link]
A major reason for dogs winding up in shelters is owner/dog mismatch. You need to carefully select the dog so that it makes a good match for you and your family.

How to Find a Good Breeder [offsite link]
This is from a Weimaraner homepage, but the guidelines apply regardless of the breed you are interested in. The most important distinction in breeders is that of profit motive. Good breeders make puppies very carefully with a primary goal of improving their beloved breed. To breed for any other reason is unethical. Unfortunately, puppy mills, brokers and novices masquerade as good breeders to earn money. Here are a few tips on how to recognize the good, the bad & the ugly:

How to Find a Quality Puppy and Reputable Breeder [offsite link]
Once you´ve decided what breed of dog you want, you´re next faced with locating a puppy. Many people turn to a pet store or to want ads in the local newspaper. This is definitely NOT the first place you should look! Buying from a reputable breeder is the best way to obtain a puppy. Rescue organizations, which are often run and sponsored by breed clubs are another option. The reasons for this are many...

Pre-Owned Dogs [offsite link]
"Why on earth would anyone want to adopt a rescue dog...a pre-owned dog? Many prospective dog owners are not convinced that owning an older (i.e. 6 mo.+) "pre-owned" dog is better than buying a puppy. But there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet from a rescue that carefully screens and evaluates its dog can provide an even better alternative. Read the "Top 10 Reasons You Should Consider a Rescue."

Puppy Personality Test [offsite link]
The puppy´s basic personality traits are measurable by eight weeks of age. Puppy Personality Tests are intended to give a general indication of what personality to expect from the adult dog. If possible, test several pups at the same time to get perspective on differences and try to test the same pup multiple times before adoption.

Select A Dog [offsite link]
Complete a questionnaire by selecting the appropriate button for each question and Petnet´s computer will compare your needs and surroundings against those of 100 different breeds. It will select up to four breeds most likely to suit your needs.

Selecting A Dog [offsite link]
Select your new family member with your lifestyle and living situation in mind. Primary considerations in addition to personality include temperament, size, and coat. Some breeds have traits that may be objectionable in certain circumstances, such as hyperexcitability or a tendency to bark. Your veterinarian is a valuable resource and should be consulted before you acquire a pet of any kind. Read more...

Selecting the Right Pet for You—Pure or Mixed Breed [offsite link]
Purebreds, because their parents and other ancestors are all members of the same breed, generally conform to a specific "breed standard. Mixed breeds are less prone to genetic defects than certain purebred dogs. It´s important to learn as much as you can, and then choose carefully.

Testing and Choosing Puppies [offsite link]
Learn how to test the personality and temperament of puppies before buying.

The Right Dog for You - Are You Ready for a Dog?
Are you ready to commit the next 12 to 15 years or more to caring for your canine companion? Will you be able to provide a loving home, food, and health care for it´s lifetime?

The Right Dog for You, Part Three - Choosing a Breeder
You want a breed with the traits you like best in a dog, but if you buy your puppy from an irresponsible breeder, it might not grow up to look like you thought it would... the way it's supposed to look. The breeder can make a huge difference in a puppy's health and temperament too.

The Right Dog For You, Part Two - Choosing a Dog
When you´re certain that you´re ready for a new canine companion, it´s time to carefully choose a dog with characteristics that match your personal preferences and your lifestyle.

The Ten Commandments For a Responsible Pet Owner [offsite link]
Before you choose the any dog, here´s some important things to consider.

What Breed is Right For You? [offsite link]
Take the Quiz...Set your preferances about ages of kids, your yard, allergies, free time, likes , dislikes, and

Links marked with the [offsite link] designation point to websites not associated with BellaOnline.com. BellaOnline.com is not responsible for the material found there.

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