Becoming a dog owner is a pretty important step to take and needs talking over with the rest of the family. It is an even more important step for the dog. From the day you take him home, he is not only going to rely on you for his food, shelter, and exercises, but he is also going to need you to keep him healthy and show him how to get along with you, your family, other animals, and other people. Quite a responsibility! And what's in it for you? Anyone who has a dog that trusts him or her, has found a friend hard to equal.
There are many ways to become a dog owner. You may get a dog for a birthday present, your neighbors' dog may have a litter and they may offer you one of the puppies, or you may just happen to see one looking at you from a pet store window and not be able to pass it by. One very good way to obtain a dog is from your local Humane Society. There you can choose from a large selection of grown dogs and puppies, all of them really in need of a good home.
However, if there is a special breed of dog you want, one complete with pedigree, you should write to the American Kennel Club, and ask them to give you the name of a kennel which raises that breed in your part of the country. Then go to the kennel and get all the advice and information they will give you.
There are now six groups of recognized breeds in the United States. They all come from the types originally bred to serve man either as hunter, guard, tracker, sheepherder, sled dog, or friend; They are:
* Sporting Group: This covers spaniels, setters, pointers, retrievers, all dogs for the hunt.
* Hounds: These are hunting dogs, too. They are trained to hunt by scent like bloodhounds, beagles, bassets, and dachshunds (otherwise known as badger dogs), and those who hunt by sight like greyhounds, whippets, salukis, and Afghans.
* Working Dogs: These are descendants of dogs originally trained to draw sleds, work with herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, or to act as guard dogs. They include the huskies, the collies and other sheep dogs, the St. Bernard, and the German shepherds.
* Terriers: Dogs trained originally to go ratting in farm country to protect the crops, but .now mostly reared as pets - small but spunky types like the fox terrier, cairn, Scottish, Sealyham, and Skye.
* Toy Dogs: These are often miniature versions of larger breeds, pet dogs like the pug, the Pekingese, the Pomeranian, the Italian greyhound, the poodle, and the Chihuahua.
* Non-Sporting Dogs: The sixth group, dogs that do not fit into the other groups. This group contains some of the most popular dogs like the Dalmatian, poodle, bulldog, and Lhasa apso.
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