Lecture #9 ~ Choosing a Dog or Cat

Factors to consider in choosing a dog or cat

Gender

Personality

Temperament/disposition

Mature size

Coat type

Expected ease in training

Health aspects

Genetic screening

Parents/siblings

Top reasons for owning a pet

Someone to play with

Companionship

Help children learn about pets and responsibility

Security

Someone to communicate with

Responsible pet ownership provides (4 things)

food

water

shelter

healthcare

true or false: dogs and cats are required to be registered and to be vaccinated against rabies

true

what are leash laws for dogs?

dogs are required to be kept under owner’s immediate control (on leash or in secured area)

true or false: sometimes nuisance laws can apply to cats

true (roaming, barking, shelters)

what is a banned breed of dogs example

pit bulls

questions to ask when choosing a dog or cat

Is the living situation favorable?

Are there any restrictions regarding pets in
the place of residence?

Consider regularity of work hours, travel
schedule, time at home)?

Is the lifestyle (activities level, hobbies)
flexible and compatible with responsible
companion animal ownership

which sex will make a good companion?

any

are males or females larger and heavier in the same breed usually?

males

true or false: in some breeds, males may be more aggressive

true

females are less likely to display _____ or _____

mounting; marking

males don’t have (3)

periods, suitors, or unwanted litters

what can spaying/neutering do?

prevent cancer of reproductive organs (and remove periods)

how often are periods for females?

6 months

why is walking estrus females outside hazardous?

males may be in the vicinity and could follow dog home

which is more expensive: spaying a female or neutering a dog?

spaying a female

why is selecting the “best-fit” breed important?

10+ year commitment

“good” temperament means

dig is well-suited for owner’s preferences and purposes

true or false: you can assume that breeds w/ reputation of being smart instinctively know how to behave

FALSE → all will need training

Why are smart dogs not always easily trained?

intelligent dogs often have their own agenda

why do different dog breeds learn diff. tasks at diff. rates

usually correlates to original purpose for which their breed was developed

what is the puppy aptitude test (PAT)?

tests which evaluate prospective pets (on traits such as social attraction, following, restraint, social dominance, elevation dominance, retrieving, touch sensitivity, sound sensitivity, sight sensitivity, and physical structure/conformation)

do PATs reliably predict adult behavior?

no

what has a tremendous impact on temperament of adults?

environmental factors, experiences, and training

What to select on a healthy pet based on in terms of healthy appearance?

no hereditary defects

no joint problems

no loose kneecaps

long life

Are large or small breeds often more prone to joint problems (like hip or elbow dysplasia)

Large

Are large or small breeds of dogs/cats more prone to loose kneecaps/luxating patella?

small

Do large or small breeds have shorter lives usually

Large

What should the purchase contract for a dog or cat include?

health guarantee to give the buyer 3 ore more days to have them examined by a vet

What happens if the vet finds a problem with the newly adopted animal?

the buyer should receive a full refund upon returning the animal

How many genetic disease have been identified in purebred dogs?

500+

how many diseases have been identified in mixed-breed dogs?

100+

How can you eliminate genetic diseases?

selective breeding

what has been established to help dog breeders identify and reduce incidence of genetic diseases in purebred dogs?

registries or databases

what was one of the first registries/databases for helping breeders to identify/reduce genetic diseases in purebreds?

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

Genetic Disease examples to know for myself:

Hip dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia

Patellar luxation

Congenital heart disease

who can you observe firsthand to know what to expect?

parents and siblings

where to purchase a dog or cat

breeders

newspaper ads

pet stores

humane society shelters

breed re-sale organizations

Info about breeders:

parents can be seen

animal is healthy, free of parasites, and vaccinated

can do trial

provides genetic history

selected and bred for specific purposes

concerned w/ population and welfare

invest time socializing

can be expensinfoive

may be member or national breed organization

info about newspaper ds:

may cost less

often no health guarantee

often no assurance of parentage

sometimes parents visible

info about pet stores:

convenient

no parent

little genetic history

little socialization

high price for genetically inferior animal

puppy mill?

info about humane society shelters:

inexpensive

won’t know heritage

no info about health, training, and previous treatment

increased risk of developing separation anxiety in dogs

info about breed re-sale organizations:

devoted to finding new homes for adult purebred dogs and cats

excellent info regarding breed for adoptions

generally place abandoned dogs in foster homes while waiting

health aspects to consider regarding cats

watch it play

kittens shouldn’t be separated from mother before 7-8 weeks

minimizing new home anxiety in cats:

place a clean litter box, shallow water bowl, accessible cat food, and toys in room w/ cat

maybe buy two of them?