Before You Bring The Pup Home

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Category: Lifestyle/People
Published: Thursday, 21 March 2013 22:03
Written by Katrina Taylor

Know Your Pup Series

Before You Bring The Puppy Home: Things You Should Know

I. Yorkshire Terriers - It’s all about personality

Cute, cuddly, and feisty. That’s the Yorkshire Terrier today. Ten times lighter than their ancestor breed, the now extinct Clydesdale Terrier, “Yorkies” as they’re affectionately known, usually weigh three to seven pounds. The Clydesdale topped the scales at thirty pounds.

 

The word “terrier” derives from the Latin “terra” which means earth. Since yorkies were bred for hunting rats which burrowed underground, their small size is no indication of their tenacity. There was little that would stop this dynamo once it caught the scent of a rat on the trail. Not even the thick walls of dirt used to build the den could keep these terriers from digging until they reached their prey. Of course, they were bigger then but this tenacity has remained unchanged over the years.

I note this trait because yorkies are tucked under more armpits than other toy breeds, their furry adorable-ness tugging at many a heartstring. But they're also fiercely determined and when you combine those two things, you can have problems if you don't understand the temperament of the pet you're bringing home.

Not that yorkies are more aggressive than any other terrier breed. Nothing applies to every pet but terriers, in general, are a bit stubborn. They’re smart and can bend you to their will before you know it if you get carried away by the bright eyes peering out at you from fluffy faces. With this in mind, you can set the tone early as the leader of the pack and train your precious pooches to the routines of daily home life. You don’t want it to be the other way around, with a family in turmoil trying to figure out what happened to your peaceful home.

This is my holistic view as a professional in the industry for thirty years. I love yorkies. They're smart & loyal and make wonderful family additions. And “cute” falls short in describing the heart-tugging fluffiness of a black & tan yorkie puppy. Even the most hardened hearts have succumbed to such charms, falling in love with the adorable pup and rushing home to share their delight with family & friends. Thoughts about compatibility, vet bills and such are usually the furthest things from the minds of a new puppy owner.

This is the point where we can make the biggest difference. Right at the start. When we fall in love with a cute pup, we think of little else accept to have him or her as our own. It’s easy to bring the pup home. It’s after that where all the fun, and work, begin.

Three basic things to consider before bringing a new pet home:

1. Are you compatible?

Pets, just like people, have personalities and sometimes they clash with ours. It’s easy to determine if a potential pet will fit into your family by spending a little time with the chosen bundle before deciding to take them home. Pets are living beings and shouldn’t be “impulse buys”.

2. Can you afford him or her?

Pets will need annual shots and possibly have other medical needs. Can you afford to take him or her to the vet if they get sick or injured? What about grooming needs? Some dogs, like yorkies, I consider “high maintenance” and require regular coat & skin care for good health. But all dogs are different and it’s important to know their grooming needs beforehand. Pets add so much to our lives and it’s important to be able to care for them adequately.

3. Do you have the time?

Dogs are pack animals and don’t do well when left alone for long periods. If your busy life keeps you away from home or unable to have your dog with you for hours on end, it’s probably not best to get a new puppy. Many new owners have come home to find their stuff destroyed by an unhappy pet left to themselves for too long. Quality time is a necessity in the life of a healthy, happy pet.

These are three basics of what you should know before bringing the pup home. Of course, life throws us curveballs and nothing is set in stone but if you follow these three steps before bringing home a furry bundle of love, you’ll be in for the best times of your life with your new family addition. Dogs are man’s best friend and, when the fit is right, it’s a companionship that brings untold joy. A gift that just keeps giving.