The Perfect Puppy : Breed Selection and Care by Veterinary Science for Behavior and Neutering Age

how can you evaluate all the books that discuss the good points of thevarious breeds? The truth is no one persondnot even your veterinariandcan bethe sole authority on all breeds. Breeders may have a bias, or at least a loyalty,toward their own breeds. Likewise, authors writing about certain breeds undoubtedlyhave their own biases. The main feature of this book is Chapter 3,presenting a behavioral data-based profile of 80 of the most popular breeds to aidin selection of a puppy. As will be explained later, the profiles are based oninterviews with 168 veterinarians that ranked the breeds on 10 characteristics.We will suggest you select a breed or short list of breeds that are appropriate foryour lifestyle and/or that of the family.The purpose of this book is to help prospective dog caregivers select the breedand sex best suited to the caregivers’ personality and lifestyle. Lifestyle isimportant; whether you are a jogger or walker, young or elderly, a traveler or ahomebody makes a difference. The environment is also important, whether anapartment, condominium, or suburban home with yard, is critical.Let us strongly assert as authors, that the behavioral information provideddoes not represent our own opinions but is based on the rankings assigned by 168women and men, small-animal veterinarians, whom we refer to as authorities.The authorities were asked to rank a sample of seven randomly chosen breedsfrom our master list of 80 breeds, on 10 behavioral characteristics in a directinterview over the telephone and analyzed in a statistical program. Asmentioned, we believe that no breed is inherently any better than another; rather,there is a niche or range of roles for each specific breed. This book can beinvaluable in helping you choose the perfect puppy for you. Front Cover The Perfect Puppy The Perfect Puppy Copyright Contents About the authors Preface REFERENCES Introduction References 1 - Adopting and raising puppies Age and source for adoption House soiling Separation anxiety Fear of loud noises Fear of strangers Obnoxious begging, barking, and scratching behavior Sibling rivalry, canine style Aggressiveness toward human family members Aggression toward other dogs References 2 - Breed rankings on 10 key characteristics How to find the behavioral information you want How to evaluate the rankings in the graphs How to use the graphs on characteristics Behavioral traits Snapping Predictive value: moderate Territorial defense Predictive value: moderate Aggression to dogs Predictive value: moderate Aggression to family Predictive value: moderate Watchdog barking Predictive value: moderate Activity level Predictive value: high Excessive barking Predictive value: moderate Demand for affection Predictive value: low Trainability Predictive value: moderate Housetraining ease Predictive value: low 3 - Behavioral profiles of 80 breeds and guidelines for ages to spay or neuter How to use the behavioral profiles Profiles of each breed Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute American Staffordshire Terrier Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Basenji Basset Hound Beagle Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frisé Bloodhound Border Collie Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flanders Boxer Brittany Bulldog Bullmastiff Bull Terrier Cairn Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua Chinese Shar-pei Chow Chow Cocker Spaniel Collie Dachshund Dalmatian Doberman Pinscher English Cocker Spaniel English Springer Spaniel French Bulldog German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer German Wirehaired Pointer Giant Schnauzer Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Great Dane Great Pyrenees Irish Setter Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Jack Russell Terrier Keeshond Labrador Retriever Lhasa Apso Maltese Mastiff Miniature Pinscher Miniature Schnauzer Newfoundland Norwegian Elkhound Old English Sheepdog Papillon Pekingese Pomeranian Poodle Pug Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Saint Bernard Samoyed Schipperke Scottish Terrier Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Siberian Husky Silky Terrier Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Vizsla Weimaraner Welsh Corgi, Pembroke West Highland White Terrier Whippet Wire Fox Terrier Yorkshire Terrier 4 - Behavioral differences between sexes—including breed profiles and appropriate ages for spaying and neutering to ... The most appropriate sex The effects of neutering males and spaying females Deciding on the age to neuter to avoid increasing joint disorders or cancers Therapeutic use of neutering for problem behavior References 5 - Why dogs do that? Eating grass, eating dog stools, howling, and yawning Eating grass Eating stools of their own or other dogs: canine conspecific coprophagia Howling Yawning References 6 - The aging dog: making life easier for them and you, when and how to say goodbye, creating a memorial Making life easier for them and you for dogs who have common problems Medications The final days Creating a memorial References Outline placeholder Australian cattle dog Australian Shepherd Beagle Bernese mountain dog Border Collie Boston Terrier Boxer Bulldog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chihuahua Cocker Spaniel Collie Corgi (Welsh), Pembroke and Cardigan Dachshund Doberman Pinscher English Springer Spaniel German Shepherd Dog Golden Retriever Great Dane Irish Wolfhound Jack Russell Terrier Labrador Retriever Maltese Miniature Schnauzer Pomeranian Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle, Standard Pug Rottweiler Saint Bernard Shetland Sheepdog Shih Tzu West Highland White Terrier Yorkshire Terrier Guidelines for age of neutering different weight categories of mixed-breed dogs Small mixed breed,