Which Large Dog Should You Pick?

Do not assume your big canine pet will become a famous show dog or an obedience trial champion. However, you can use those achievements for comparison to begin the search for your chosen large breed. Purchase a copy of one of the various dog magazines found in a bookstore. These magazines will list dog shows and other canine events in your area, and then plan to attend one or more. Once there, buy a premium list that will tell you in which ring and at what time your breed will be shown. After you have seen the best of your breed exhibited, you can talk to breeders of that specific breed.

Watch your breed participate in other canine competitive events such as agility trials, field trials, coursing, tracking, weight pulling, and fly-ball events. Watch your chosen breed's ability, training, and enthusiasm in these events. You can find out a great deal of information about your breed by watching his representatives in competition.

Going To A Purebred Breeder

Visit several breeding kennels. Never make a spontaneous selection from the first litter seen on the first visit to a single kennel. Observe the traits and behaviors of as many litters
as possible.

Discuss with the breeder the general personality and traits of your chosen breed. The habits of each puppy are individual. Some will have a temperament that is adaptable and will be influenced by his bonding with you and your attitude and ability to train him. However, you must also be aware of certain traits inherent in each large breed.

As-



k different trainers, handlers, and breeders many questions to satisfy your information needs. Conscientious breeders will furnish printed information about their strain or bloodline of the breed. They will happily answer your queries and probably will ask you more questions than you are prepared to answer. They will have information about the proper age to take a puppy, and should reassure you of their puppies' socialization.

Ask about purchase price, return privilege, guarantee, veterinary examination, and routine
parasite control. You need to know as much as possible about each breeder's puppies before you commit to purchase.

You may be asked not to touch the puppies if they are only a few weeks old. Do not be insulted; this precaution is to protect the valuable litter until first vaccinations have been administered. Simply observe the puppies at play. If you think you have made a decision, ask the breeder to mark the pup for you. Usually, the toenails of a hind foot are painted with a certain color of nail polish to denote your selection.





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