Things to Consider Before
                   Owning a Dog

          ●  Do you want a big or a little dog.  If a big dog, do you

              have enough yard space for it to move around and

              exercise in.  If you live in the city, do you have a fenced

              in yard to contain a large animal.  Dogs in the city

              cannot be left to run loose.  If a little dog, are you

              willing to keep it in the house most of the time.  Small

              dogs do not take extreme cold very well.

          ●  If the dog is to be kept mostly outside, you must

              provide shelter from the weather conditions.  If it is to

              be an inside/outside dog, you may want to consider a

              doggie door.  If this be the case, make sure you have a

              dead bolt lock on the door.  You wouldn't want any

              unwanted intruders reaching through the doggie door

              and unlocking it.

          ●  What breed do you want.  Some people would only want

              a purebred animal.  However, unless you intend on

              showing the dog or breeding it, you might seriously

              consider adopting a dog from your local animal shelter.

              There are some pretty neat animals, including some

              purebreds, that need a good home.  Also some breeds

              are inbred so much that their temperament is sometimes

              high strung.  Another advantage to dog adoption from a

              shelter is that they neuter the animals if necessary,

              administer all their shots and basically give them a clean

              bill of health before putting them up for adoption.  This

              charge is usually less than you would have to pay your

              local veterinarian for the same procedures.

          ●  Are you willing to neuter your dog.  Again, unless you

              intend on showing the animal or using it to breed, it is

              extremely wise to have it neutered.  Neutering helps the

              temperament and prevents unwanted puppies.

          ●  Do you want a puppy or an older dog.  If you want a

              puppy, please be aware that there is some work

              involved.  Puppies are so cute and everybody wants

              them, but remember, they are just like babies and

              require just as much attention.  Sometimes it's best to

              get a dog from the shelter that is already housebroken.

          ●  A dog should have regular shots against rabies and

              other diseases.  Also flea and tick preventatives.

          ●  What type of training do you intend for your dog.  The

              basic commands "sit", "stay", "come", or "lay down"

              are easy enough to instill.  But what if your dog is a

              barker.  What if he is an outside dog and roams.  In this

              case, you will want to invest in some sort of training

              device such as a no bark collar or an electronic fence and

              collar system.

          ●  Last, but not least, your pet should have ID tags on its

              collar.  If you live in the country where the animal can

              run loose, it's best to purchase a thick stainless steel tag

              with the dogs name, your name and telephone number

              engraved on it.  The rabies tags provided by the

              veterinarians are so thin, they tend to tear off easily

              when the animal gets it caught on something.  The

              stainless steel tag tends to last much longer.