Chow Chow E-Book

Richard G. Beauchamp

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 242

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

The enigmatic Chow Chow continues to fascinate humankind with his complex, independent nature, his scowling expression, and his unmistakable purebred nobility. Whether adorned in the characteristic rough coat or a dense smooth coat, the Chow never hesitates to reveal his bluish black tongue, one of the breed's most celebrated traits. As a show dog, the Chow cuts an impressive image: powerful, sturdy, and squarely built. Of Nordic origins, this medium-size breed was developed for various purposes, including hunting, herding, pulling carts, and protecting the home. Today's Chows are cherished home companions for the right owners willing to put in the time to socialize and train this distinctive purebred dog. Richard G. Beauchamp, long associated with the Chow and other Non-Sporting breeds, has written an excellent primer on the Chow Chow breed, offering readers a glimpse into the breed's mysterious past in China and his many elusive charms. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the Chow Chow

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Ears: Small, moderately thick, triangular in shape with a slight rounding at the tip, carried stiffly erect but with a slight forward tilt. Placed wide apart with the inner corner on top of the skull.

Head: Proudly carried, large in proportion to the size of the dog. Expression essentially scowling, dignified, lordly, discerning, sober and snobbish, one of independence.

Eyes: Dark brown, deep set and placed wide apart and obliquely, of moderate size, almond in shape. The correct placement and shape should create an Oriental appearance.

Muzzle: is short in comparison to the length of the top skull but never less than one-third of the head length. The muzzle is broad and well filled out under the eyes; its width and depth are equal and both dimensions should appear to be the same from its base to its tip.

Nose: Large, broad and black in color with well opened nostrils.

Mouth and Tongue: Edges of the lips black, tissues of the mouth mostly black, gums preferably black. A solid black mouth is ideal. The top surface and edges of the tongue a solid blue-black, the darker the better.

Neck: Strong, full, well muscled, nicely arched and of sufficient length to carry the head proudly above the topline when standing at attention.

Chest: Broad, deep and muscular. The floor of the chest is broad and deep extending down to the tips of the elbows.

Forequarters: Shoulders strong, well muscled, the tips of the shoulder blades moderately close together. Elbow joints set well back alongside the chest wall, elbows turning neither in nor out. Forelegs perfectly straight from elbow to foot with heavy bone which must be in proportion to the rest of the dog.

Topline: Straight, strong and level from the withers to the root of the tail.

Body: Short, compact, close coupled, strongly muscled, broad, deep and well let down in the flank. The body, back, coupling and croup must all be short to give the required square build.

Hindquarters: The rear assembly broad, powerful, and well muscled in the hips and thighs, heavy in bone with rear and front bone approximately equal. Stifle joint shows little angulation, is well knit and stable. Hock joint well let down and appears almost straight.

Tail: Set high and carried closely to the back at all times, following the line of the spine at the start.

Coat: There are two types of coat; rough and smooth. Both are double coated. In the rough coat, the outer coat is abundant, dense, straight and offstanding, rather coarse in texture; the undercoat soft, thick and wooly. The coat forms a profuse ruff around the head and neck, framing the head. Tail well feathered.

Color: Clear colored, solid or solid with lighter shadings in the ruff, tail and featherings. There are five colors in the Chow: red (light golden to deep mahogany), black, blue, cinnamon (light fawn to deep cinnamon) and cream.

Feet: Round, compact, catlike, standing well up on the thick toe pads.

Size: The average height of adult specimens is 17 to 20 inches at the withers.

Contents

History of the Chow Chow

Learn about the mysticism surrounding the Chow’s origins, including theories that speculate on the breed’s relationship to the bear, and the Chow’s ancient Chinese beginnings. Follow the Chow Chow on his journey to the UK, Europe and America, and eventually to worldwide popularity.

Characteristics of the Chow Chow

The Chow Chow has perhaps the most distinct personality in dogdom. Find out if you’re the right owner for this intriguing combination of loyalty and independence, intelligence and stubbornness. Also learn about the Chow’s physical characteristics and breed-specific health concerns.

Breed Standard for the Chow Chow

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Chow Chow by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Your Puppy Chow Chow

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Chow Chow puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy shopping spree. Also discussed are socialization, home safety, the first trip to the vet and solving basic puppy problems.

Proper Care of Your Chow Chow

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Chow Chow every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, nails and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of dog identification.

Training Your Chow Chow

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Chow Chow, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Enter Puppy Kindergarten and introduce the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

Healthcare of Your Chow Chow

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Showing Your Chow Chow

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Here’s how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and what’s required for your Chow to become a champion.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®CHOW CHOW

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-260-3

eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-979-4

Copyright © 2005 • Kennel Club Books® • An Imprint of I-5 Press™ • A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by Carol Ann Johnson

with additional photographs by

Ashbey Studios, Paulette Braun, Bernd Brinkmann, T.J. Calhoun, Alan and Sandy Carey, Isabelle Français, Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas, Alice van Kempen, Kohler Photography, Antonio Philippe, Perry Phillips and Alice Roche.

Illustrations by Renée Low and Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners whose dogs are illustrated in this book, including Linda Albert, Barbara Bakert, George and Kathy Beliew, Ernie Coy, Wayne and Lynda Eyster, Pat Rose and Karen Tracy.

One of China’s legendary dogs, the Chow Chow has been used for hunting, caravan guarding, sampan and junk guarding and for food. It is also a superior pet for the right owner, though it has never achieved pet status in China.

The romantic tales surrounding the origin of the beautiful and temperamentally unique Chow Chow are countless. The somewhat blurred origins and unusual looks of this breed have led to legendary and fanciful links to all kinds of animals outside the canine world. Not the least of these legends is the one that claims it is the bear rather than the wolf from which the Chow descends.

There is nothing to substantiate the Chow’s relationship to the bear, but those who choose to believe this cite many characteristics that the breed shares with no other animal but the bear. Supporters of this theory claim that a form of primitive wild animal, which is now extinct, is the ancestor of the Chow.

All other dogs are known to have descended from the progenitors of the wolf. This, according to the bear theorists, explains why most other dogs either look away from the Chow Chow at first meeting or immediately prepare themselves to attack.

When one stops to consider the bear’s independent nature, its blue tongue and the stilted manner in which it walks—all characteristics of the Chow Chow—it becomes understandable how the theory took root. There is also the remarkable resemblance of the bear cub to the Chow. If nothing else, all this makes one wonder if Mother Nature just might have lent some ironic twist to the evolution of the Chow.

Although China embraces the Chow Chow as one of its own, historical documents originating in China consistently refer to the breed as “the foreign Chow.” This substantiates the more scientific research that reveals the Chow was of Arctic origin, migrating to China with the barbarian tribes that frequently invaded China in the 11th century BC.

These barbarian invaders had dogs of formidable size that were described as having black tongues and being so fierce that they could easily bring down humans as if they were straws. These warrior dogs sometimes resembled lions in color as well as in their head characteristics. They also had long claws and shaggy manes that covered their necks.

CANIS LUPUS

“Grandma, what big teeth you have!” The gray wolf, a familiar figure in fairy tales and legends, has had its reputation tarnished and its population pummeled over the centuries. Yet it is the descendants of this much-feared creature to which we open our homes and hearts. Our beloved dog, Canis domesticus, derives directly from the gray wolf, a highly social canine that lives in elaborately structured packs. In the wild, the gray wolf can range from 60 to 175 pounds, standing between 25 and 40 inches in height.

Though the Chow’s long existence in China can be traced through its image on bronzes and in paintings, much of the breed’s documented history was destroyed by the Emperor Chin Shih, who wantonly destroyed most of China’s literature in 225 BC. The records that did survive add some interesting details to the earlier descriptions of the warrior dogs.

These writings describe the dogs as being completely different from other breeds of dog with large broad heads, short muzzles and small eyes. The lips are described as not overlapping but just touching, giving them a unique aloof expression.

It appears that although these warrior dogs were devoted to their keepers, they were extremely hostile to strangers. Their fierce natures made them ideal candidates for their roles as war dogs. It is interesting to note that these same dogs proved to be excellent hunters and herding dogs.

As centuries passed, the breed’s fierce nature mellowed and the dogs could be assigned duties of a more domestic nature: draft dog, hunter, herder, guardian of the home and, unfortunately for the dogs, as food for the family as well.

The Chinese (and subsequent English) slang word for something edible is “chow.” The dogs kept for this purpose were considered a great delicacy. Thus, dog meat was sold and eaten throughout China and Korea until it was prohibited by law in China in 1915.

Chinese legend gives us purely practical reasons for two of the Chow’s most distinguishing characteristics: the straighter the hind leg, the more abundant the meat; and the bluer the tongue, the more tender and delicious the meat.

WEST MEETS EAST

There can be no doubt that as the first clipper ships entered Chinese harbors, British sailors were fascinated by the multitude of curiosities this strange country afforded. Certainly not the least of these oddities was this dog that was more bear- or lion-like than anything ever seen by British seamen. It is little wonder the sailors took their canine curiosities back to England with them on return voyages. In 1780 the first Chows arrived in Great Britain.

Little is known of the fate of those first exotic immigrants to England. It was not until 1840 that a newspaper account tells of several Chows who were kept in the London Zoological Park. They were referred to as the “wild dog of China.”

In 1880, however, records document the exhibition of Chinese Puzzle, a black Chow female imported directly from China. Chinese Puzzle was shown at a dog show that took place at the famous Crystal Palace in London. Evidently the look of Chinese Puzzle caught the eye and captured the fancy of some of London’s most fashionable ladies, including the Marchioness of Huntley.

The Chinese Foo Dog is suspected of being a direct relative of the Chow Chow.

At the turn of the 20th century, China was exporting short-coated Chows. They were called edible dogs and according to customs forms they were considered food animals like swine, chickens and ducks.

PURE-BRED PURPOSE

Given the vast range of the world’s 400 or so pure breeds of dog, it’s fair to say that domestic dogs are the most versatile animal in the kingdom. From the tiny 1-pound lap dog to the 200-pound guard dog, dogs have adapted to every need and whim of their human masters. Humans have selectively bred dogs to alter physical attributes like size, color, leg length, mass and skull diameter in order to suit our own needs and fancies. Dogs serve humans not only as companions and guardians but also as hunters, exterminators, shepherds, rescuers, messengers, warriors, babysitters and more!

Author Richard G. Beauchamp, long-time Chow fancier, judge and breeder, pictured here with one of his favorite Chows.

When the Marchioness was offered a Chow that her relative, the Earl of Lonsdale, had brought back from China, she not only accepted the gift but immediately requested the Earl bring back more of the dogs on his next trip. Upon the arrival of the new dogs, Lady Huntley set about breeding Chows, heading up the kennel with an imported male she named Periodot.

A Periodot daughter, Periodot II, bred by the Marchioness was subsequently sold to Lady Granville Gordon, who established a highly respected breeding kennel on the blood of this female. Lady Gordon’s daughter, Lady Faudel-Phillips, shared her interest in the Chow Chow and became the most important and influential breeder in England. The Ladies Gordon and Phillips were to produce the first English-bred champion Chow, who was named simply Blue Blood.

EARLY CANINE GROUPS

As early as the first century AD, Romans had classified dogs into six general groups: House Guardian Dogs, Shepherd Dogs, Sporting Dogs, War Dogs, Scent Dogs and Sight Dogs. Most dogs we know today can trace their ancestry directly back to dogs from these groups. Many other breeds were developed by combining two or more individuals from those original groups to create yet another “breed.”

Lady Faudel-Phillips, circa 1932, with one of her Amwell Chows. The Amwell kennels produced many champion Chows.

The National Chow Chow Club of Great Britain (NCCCGB) was formed in 1895 and an official standard of the breed was drawn up at the first meeting. The club’s first show for the breed was held at Westminster in the same year. It is interesting to note that the same standard, with only minor adjustments, continues to exist to this day and has been used as a basis for practically every other standard around the world.

By December of that same year, the NCCCGB was able to stage its first show and no less than 54 Chows were entered. The impressive turnout of dogs was the talk of the dog fancy and helped the breed secure a position of respect among die-hard dog fanciers throughout the country.

BLUE-TONGUED COUSINS

The Chow Chow shares his blue-black tongue with another Chinese pure-bred dog, the Chinese Shar-Pei. This breed, only recently saved from the brink of extinction by dog fanciers around the world, continues to grow in popularity. Once called the Chinese Fighting Dog, the Shar-Pei today is prized as a companion dog and show dog in many countries around the world.

When Lady Gordon died, her daughter Lady Phillips fell heir to all of the Chows. With these dogs and some of her own, Lady Phillips established the legendary Amwell Chow Chow Kennel in 1919. The kennel was to remain in operation until Lady Phillips’s death in 1943.

A British dog breeder, Miss Joshua, was famed for the beautiful expressive faces of her dogs. The Chow look has been described as “scowling” but many observers describe the breed as leonine, or lion-like.

With the breed in the hands of England’s wealthy and titled men and women, the Chow Chow flourished. The breed’s fanciers could well afford huge kennels and the talented stockmen it took to manage them. The breed grew in number and in quality.

The first Chow Chow to become an English champion was an import, Ch. Chow VIII, which was described as a dog of good type though somewhat lacking in coat. Unfortunately Chow VIII had a temperament that left much to be desired. Though his nasty temperament resulted in frequent changes of ownership, it barely affected Chow VIII’s show career, which was somewhat spectacular for the day. Temperament notwithstanding, it is believed England’s standard of the breed was written with Chow VIII as its model.

Mrs. Scaramanga’s champion Chows were painted by Maud Earl in the 1930s.

As years progressed, word of these mighty and exotic dogs spread to Europe and to America. In Europe it became a mark of distinction among the wealthy to own one of the edible wild dogs of China. While high prices were paid for the dogs in Europe, the breed was not really accepted by serious dog fanciers there until many years later.

In England the Chow Chow was forced to survive the devastating effects of two World Wars. With the determination so typical of the English, fanciers not only helped the breed inch forward through the worst of times but actually brought the breed to a resplendent level of quality shortly after World War II. There can be no doubt the breed owes its celebrated status throughout the world to England and the great dog men and women who embraced the “edible wild dog of China” and shaped it into the loved and respected breed it is today.

TWO FAMOUS CHOONAM CHOWS

Eng. Ch. Choonam Hung Kwong was the first of his breed to win Best in Show at Crufts Dog Show. He created a minor sensation, as he was described as “a magnificent specimen…arrogant and proud, with great presence.”

Eng. Ch. Choonam Brilliantine was sold to America in 1925 for the then fantastic sum of £1800. At that time a modest house could have been purchased in England for half that amount.

In an illustration dated 1934, Vere Temple captured the antics of grandfather Chow looking over a litter only a few weeks old.

THE CHOW CHOW IN THE UNITED STATES

As the Chow Chow breed grew in number and quality in Great Britain, the breed was attracting a mighty following in North America as well. The first Chow to be exhibited in the United States appears in the 1890 catalog of the Westminster Kennel Club. In 1905 Mrs. Charles E. Proctor founded her Blue Dragon Kennels, and in that same year Mrs. Proctor imported Chinese Chum, destined to become America’s first champion Chow. Veterans of the breed consider Ch. Chinese Chum to be the cornerstone of the breed in the US. Dr. and Mrs. Henry Jarrett had also established a kennel in Philadelphia and campaigned their dogs throughout the East. In 1906 the Jarretts were instrumental in founding the Chow Chow Club, Inc., the parent club of the breed.

Eng. Ch. Choonam Moonbeam and Ch. Choonam Chang Li are fine examples of Mrs. V. A. Manoch’s Choonam Kennel, which was famous in the 1930s for its very high prices and very high-quality Chows.

In 1933 this Chow, Eng. Ch. Rochow Dragoon, held the record of winning 31 Challenge Certificates. He was famed for his cat-like feet and bold body, to say nothing of his other outstanding characteristics.

World War I had a decidedly negative effect upon dog shows and dog breeding in North America, though not as harsh as its effect in Europe. While enthusiasts maintained their devotion to the breed, activity came to a near standstill. In the 1920s, however, there was a marked acceleration of interest in the breed. This popularity was undoubtedly due in a great part to the fact that a Chow Chow was living in the White House with President Calvin Coolidge. Unfortunately this upsurge in popularity proved disastrous to the character and the image of the breed. The Chow market was flooded with ill-bred and ill-tempered stock bred by unscrupulous individuals capitalizing on the demand for puppies. Soon the breed was overcome by nasty-spirited dogs earning the Chow a reputation as not only untrustworthy but in some cases downright dangerous. Those who truly loved the breed were left to live down this damaged reputation and reeducate the general public as to how great a companion a well-bred Chow could be.

A head study of Eng. Ch. Rochow Dragoon, the world’s greatest Chow champion of his time. His head exhibits all of what is desired in the breed: the full ruff, the “scowl” and the overall leonine look.

One of Lady Faudel-Phillips’s delightful Chow puppies, a three-month-old who already bears the regal expression of an adult.

One of Queen Alexandra of Britain’s favorite breeds was the Chow Chow. Note the difference in type between Her Majesty’s pet (seated in chair) and the Chows of today.

Without a doubt, the charismatic Ch. Yang Fu Tang, a great winner in the 1930s, helped to heal the damage done to the breed’s reputation with his winning ways. His son won the Non-Sporting Group at the famous Westminster dog show in 1940. No other Chow would win a Group at Westminster until 1969, when the red male Ch. Gotschall’s Van Van did so under the esteemed all-breed judge Alva Rosenberg.

It is to the credit of Chow Chow breeders and fanciers of the latter half of the 20th century throughout America that great emphasis was placed upon the temperament and image of the breed. Diehards of the breed throughout the US made great strides in these areas. Certainly particular credit must be given to Raymond and Valetta Gotschall (Gotschall), Joel Marston (Star-crest), Dr. Samuel Draper (Lion-tamer) and Pete and Howard Kendall (Poppyland). These individuals bred dogs that were not only of superior type but also blessed with exemplary temperaments. Popular judge and author, Draper did much to change the breed’s reputation through his breeding program and his popular books on the Chow. Dogs bred and campaigned by Liontamer Chows possessed ideal people-loving temperaments as well as proper gait, construction and coat quality.

This Egyptian pottery piece from thousands of years ago shows a resemblance to the Chow. A noted similarity is the carriage of the tail curved over the back.

Other standouts in the Chow Chow world in that period were Leroy and Georgia King (Kinghai) and Cliff and Vivian Shryock. The Shryocks added considerably to the breed’s reputation by importing Ch. Ghat de a Moulaine from France and English, American, Mexican and Canadian Ch. Ukwong Fleur from England. Another Chow Chow mainstay has been Dr. Joanne Schmidt O’Brien, whose parents owned Linnchow Kennels in Tinley Park, Illinois in the 1930s and ‘40s. Dr. O’Brien has maintained the family interest in Chow Chows well over half a century. In fact, the author took great pleasure in awarding Dr. O’Brien’s Linnchow Charlie Brown Best of Breed from the classes and then Non-Sporting Group First at the Trillium Dog Fanciers show in Toronto, Canada as recently as November 2, 2002.

California has long been a Chow Chow haven, and the dogs produced by Bob and Love Bang-hart (Rebelrun) and George and Kathy Belieu (Imagine) have made their mark nationwide. The outstanding dogs produced by these two kennels have garnered magnificent records including countless Breed, Group and all-breed Best in Show awards.

The Chow Chow of today has risen above its unattractive reputation of the past and stands proudly among man’s most popular and devoted companions. For the person who takes the time to understand the character of the Chow Chow, there can be no greater canine friend.

This 1934 series of drawings and captions shows those faults of the Chow that were of most concern to dog judges.

Incorrect back leg. Angular hock. Tail set too low.

Narrow chest.

Out at shoulder.

Too low on leg. Down on pasterns. Harefeet; pointed and narrow.

Pointed muzzle.

Eyes too round Large ears, too narrowly set.

Too high on leg.

Tucked up. (Upward slope of ventral line.) Tail falling to one side.

“Chippendale” legs.

Narrow chested. (as made to stand in ring).

Intrigued by the exotic history of the Chow Chow? Enchanted by the roly-poly bear cub appearance of a Chow puppy? You aren’t alone! In fact, those two things alone have caused the Chow Chow to soar to heights of popularity on more than one occasion in the breed’s history, but unfortunately it was to the detriment of the breed. Unscrupulous buyers rushed forth to capitalize on demand for the breed, and bad temperaments were ignored.

A Chow Chow is an absolutely wonderful breed—for the right person! Before dashing out to buy a Chow—in fact before thinking about buying any dog—a person should definitely sit down and think the prospect out thoroughly. Teddy-bear-like Chow puppies snuggled together fast asleep one on top of the other are absolutely irresistible, I assure you. Chow puppies’ attractiveness as a subject for photography puts them on calendars and greetings cards around the world. This is a good part of what encourages well-meaning but misguided individuals to dash out to buy a Chow puppy for themselves or as a gift for someone they know who “should have” a dog.

This is not to say the pudgy little ball of fluff you bring home will not be as cute and entertaining as those calendar pin-up pups. There is no doubt about that. However, calendars and greeting cards do not address the reality of dog ownership. Real Chow Chow puppies spend their days investigating, digging, chewing, eating, relieving themselves, having tummy aches and needing trips to the veterinarian for inoculations and so many other minor problems.

Puppies don’t come pre-educated. Everything that you think a well-behaved dog should know how to do will have to be taught. Chows learn quickly, but that is not to say they may feel it is entirely necessary to respond to your request. It takes time and patience to get through to a Chow, and the question you must ask yourself is whether or not you have the time and patience to do this educating.

DESHELLING THE CHOW

Chow Chows are perfectly content to live their lives out with the person or people in their own household and have no real need for attention from others. However, Chow Chows that are not given proper socialization can become introverted and sullen, often cross, with people whom they do not know.

Young people are attracted to puppies perhaps even more than adults are, but not every youngster is willing or able to be a responsible caregiver.

WHO WINS THE PRIZE?

Who will ultimately be responsible for the dog’s day-to-day care? Does that individual really want a dog? If you are the only person who needs to answer that question, there is no problem. However, all too often it is your spouse, your mother or father or anyone living in your home who will also share the responsibility of caring for the dog. The Chow Chow must be welcomed and wanted by all members of your household, or it will become a burden to all.

Mothers seem to fall into this role naturally—not necessarily because they want to, but the mothers I know are not inclined to stand by and watch any creature be neglected. Thus it is “mom” who takes the dog to the vet, who rushes out to buy the dog food and who takes the dog out for a walk. Mom just may not want any more duties than she already has!

Children will promise just about anything in order to get a puppy, but the question that has to be addressed seriously is what will happen after the novelty of owning a new dog has worn off. Again, who will ultimately be responsible for the dog’s care?

Even if the entire family thinks a dog would be a great idea, does the lifestyle and schedule of the household lend itself to the demands of proper dog care? Someone must always be available to see to a dog’s basic needs: feeding, exercise, coat care, access to the outdoors when required, and so on. If you or your family are gone from morning to night or if you travel frequently and are away from home for long periods of time, the dog still must be cared for. Will someone willingly be present to do so? Are you prepared to pay the costs of frequent boarding at a kennel while you are gone?