Wondering how to care for your new pet? Check out our recommendations!
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Select your new dog with your lifestyle and living situation in mind. In addition to your new family member's personality, consider its temperament, size, and coat as well. Some breeds have traits that may be objectionable in certain circumstances, such as hyper excitability or a tendency to bark. Your veterinarian is a valuable resource and should be consulted before you acquire a pet of any kind.
Breed Selection
There are two types of dogs--purebred and mixed breed. The 124 recognized breeds are grouped into seven categories: hound, working, terrier, toy, sporting, non-sporting, and herding. There are thousands of mixed-breed combinations. Each purebred or mixed-breed dog has a unique personality. Dogs originally bred for a specific purpose tend to retain these characteristics. These dogs may require additional training and patience. Selecting a specific breed does not guarantee a particular behavior, but choosing offspring from animals with desirable temperaments does increase one's chances of getting the best pet. Mixed breeds can be as beautiful, intelligent, loving, and companionable as purebreds.Veterinarians, breed-specific books (usually available at libraries and pet stores), and dog shows are excellent sources of information about individual breed characteristics and needs.
Friend or Protector?
Most dogs, even tiny ones, bark when strangers approach their home or yard. This bark is usually enough to deter intruders. A pet should not be trained as an attack dog. Attack-trained dogs require special handling and knowledge to prevent accidental injury to people, including members of your own family.
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How To Care For Your New Pet
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Does My Cat Love Me?
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Medication Tips For Your Pet
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What Vaccines Are Right For Your Pet?
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Is My Dog Fat Or Is It A Thyroid Problem?
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Wondering why your dog is packing on the pounds? A thyroid problem may be responsible for the weight gain.
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Hot Spots and Pets: What You Can Do to Help Your Furry Friend
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Does your pet frequently develop hot spots? Find out how to prevent and treat the painful spots.
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Managing Your Pet's Arthritis
Category: Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Painful arthritis makes walking and jumping difficult for pets. Luckily, you can do a few things to relieve your pet's pain.
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Best Pet Costumes
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Are you thinking about buying a Halloween costume for your pet? These guidelines will help you choose the ideal disguise for your furry friend.
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Pets and Newborns
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Are you worried about how your pet may react to your new baby? These tips will help your pet adjust to life with a newborn.
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Proper Ear Care for Pets
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Video Games and Your Pet
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Did you know that your pet can play video games too? Explore the advantages and drawbacks of this new technology.
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Can I Leave My Pet in the Car?
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Not sure if you should leave your pet in the car? The answer to this question is always the same.
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Lost Pets
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Has your pet wriggled their way through the fence or dashed out the front door? When searching for your lost pet, make sure you include these steps in your hunt.
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Should You Leave Your Cat Alone for a Long Weekend?
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So you have a trip planned for the weekend, but what should you do with your cat? Learn how to best care for your cat while you're away.
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Flea and Tick Season
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Summer Grooming Tips
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Want to keep your pet cool and comfortable this summer? A few changes to your normal grooming routine can help.
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