The East King Trailhead(tm), the community quarterly for East King County

Buddha Belly Interiors

Find the dog that's right for you: Think ahead if you're thinking of a puppy under the tree

It’s early on Christmas morning when your children excitedly announce the imminent gift bonanza. After weeks of the kids’ incessant pleading, Santa has delivered the ultimate gift: a puppy, complete with red bow.

High-pitched screams of glee couple with happy yipping, as your little ones celebrate with their gift. Your new family member unceremoniously makes his or her presence known with playful acts that seem cute…now.

Some weeks later, the honeymoon phase has ended. Fido/Rover/Lucky is still a puppy—no longer a novelty but now a responsibility, your very own animal to care for and clean up after.

Whether that responsibility becomes a burden is a serious issue if you’re considering a puppy as a holiday gift.

“Just as you’ve committed to putting this dog into your life, it also has to fit into your life as well,” notes Denise Stringfellow, owner of Riverdog Canine Coaching in Issaquah.

Bringing a puppy into your family requires an upfront investment of time and research. Know your puppy sources and investigate everything you can about your puppy (breed, health, etc.). And consider your own needs before you bring an animal home: Can your family accommodate a new member? Will you be able to commit time and energy to raise your dog over his/her lifetime?

Consider a “pound puppy”, but match dog breed, personality to your lifestyle

Set on a dog for the holidays? Start with a self-assessment: Are you active or a couch potato? Think about dog size, home environment, training, and the puppy’s fit with young or elderly family members.

“Every dog is an individual,” says Bridgette Kolias, adoption supervisor at the Humane Society for Seattle/King County. “People tend to forget that sometimes. [At the Humane Society,] we always talk about the breed, but then we always talk about the individual animal as well.”

Located in Bellevue on Eastgate Way, the Humane Society for Seattle/King County is a private, non-profit pet shelter, and offers pets for adoption, with an emphasis on responsibility. The Humane Society has experienced pet-adoption volunteers and employees that consult with potential owners on their needs and preferences before pairing an owner with a shelter pup.

“Dogs are a lifetime commitment,” observes Kolias, “so it’s important to find one that fits into your current lifestyle and family.”

To that end, the Humane Society recently launched “Meet Your Match,” a program geared towards matching compatible dogs and owners. MYM evaluations include detailed assessments of both owner (pet history, family environment) and dog (temperament, personality, energy, training).

Kolias emphasizes that responsible pet adoption should not require sacrifice, whether on the dog’s or the owner’s behalf.

“You should never have to do a ‘pity adoption’,” she says. “If you have the commitment to give to a dog, then you don’t want to set yourself up for failure. Get a dog that fits into your lifestyle and don’t…change your own lifestyle to fit that of the dog’s.”

For example, if you’re interested in an active and smart herding-breed dog, plan for daily exercise. If you’re a laid-back, indoorsy person, seek out a breed or animal that’s more sedate. Pet shelters like the Humane Society offer a wide variety of breeds for adoption. Those dogs aren’t all mutts: Some 25-30% of dogs in shelters are purebreds.

Jamie and Richell Clay of Sammamish recently adopted a rambunctious golden retriever mix from the Humane Society. The Clays already had a connection with the dog—A family friend rescued her after she was hit by a car, and the Clay family bonded with the animal during her recuperation.

“Ginger is great with our daughters,” says Jamie. “When we first met her with our girls, she was so friendly—She just leaned down on her two front paws and was ready to play with them.”

Golden retrievers (like Ginger) and Labrador retrievers are popular dogs for adoption. The two breeds tend to be easy-going and intelligent, with the perfect temperament for families with children. Retrievers are highly trainable and adaptable to new environments.

“She is very playful, but she is gentle,” adds Jamie Clay. “We can let our girls play with Ginger and never have to worry about her biting or harming them.”

The Humane Society of Seattle/King County offers dogs of all sizes, shapes, and ages for adoption. Older dogs tend to cost less to adopt than puppies—in part to subsidize potential medical care for aging animals. Adoption fees run $75 to $250, and include numerous perks, including spaying or neutering, vaccinations, an installed identity microchip, county registration, one free veterinary exam, pet insurance, and six weeks of training classes.

Talk to a breeder if you’re looking for a specific dog

Looking for a show dog, or targeting a specific breed? A reputable dog breeder can lead you to a happy, healthy puppy. But do your research first. Start with the American Kennel Club’s website at akc.org. The site includes a directory of dog breeders by breed and geography.

Once you’ve decided on a breed, evaluate the breeder: Visit in person to see if the puppies’ home environment is a healthy one. Ask about your puppy’s breed history—The dog’s parents will be a good indicator of your puppy’s temperament.

A good dog breeder will also be evaluating you as a potential owner for the puppy.

“I always interview potential owners to see where their interests lie,” says Shelah Frey of Bellevue, “and if they’ll be compatible with my litter.” Frey, a secretary of the Seattle Kennel Club, breeds one litter of Labrador retrievers each year, and emphasizes the need for responsible owners.

Frey urges potential dog owners to make sure parents of the litter have passed clearance health tests in order to ensure puppies are both healthy and adoptable.

“All reputable breeders will not only be registered with the AKC, but will also have clearance tests for their dogs available for viewing on www.offa.org,” explains Frey. She notes that the site, run by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, is an excellent resource for investigating the health of your potential puppy’s breedline.

Start communicating with your new puppy…as soon as you get home

Riverdog’s Stringfellow stresses good communication with your new pet.

“The first 72 hours you bring the puppy home sets the stage,” says Stringfellow. “Decide who will play the dominant role in the dog’s life, where the puppy is going to sleep—You need to decide everything ahead of time and stick to it.”

At Riverdog, Stringfellow offers training classes with an innovative approach to obedience, promoting the importance of understanding—and respect—between dog and owner.

“Our mission is to unleash the capacity of every dog and every owner to communicate better,” says Stringfellow, underscoring quick attention to puppy problems. “If you get the puppy home and if you’re encountering adjustment problems or behavior issues that were not present initially, put in the time right away to help your puppy adjust to your life.”

Consider a holiday puppy gift that’s not a puppy

Bringing a new dog into your home is a big step that you should not take lightly. You can introduce your family to the concept of puppy love gradually.

Start with the book Paws to Consider: Choosing the Right Dog for You and Your Family (Grand Central Publishing, $22.95), by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. Paws provides an in-depth look at several breeds’ compatibility with different family environments.

For your children, pick up the American Kennel Club’s The Complete Dog Book for Kids (Howell Book House, $24.95). The book, targeted to young children, describes the experience of adopting a dog, and the responsibilities and rewards that accompany a new dog’s arrival.

And you might want to consider prepping your kids first: A stuffed-animal puppy can signify the future gift of a real canine. And that way, you can take the time to educate yourself and your family before responsibly welcoming a puppy into your home. ■

The East King Trailhead
1420 NW Gilman Blvd. #2726, Issaquah, WA 98027.
Toll-free Fax: (866) 205-8722.
Email: info (at) eastkingtrailhead.com