| When that sweet little puppy face is staring | | | | on the underside of the nail) grows along |
| at you, begging you to take it home, it's | | | | with them, making it difficult to trim nails |
| easy for rational thought to go out the | | | | short without damaging the quick. If the |
| window. And if that adorable face comes | | | | nails are excessively long, it can be |
| complete with a few face licks, you're most | | | | difficult and uncomfortable for a dog to walk |
| likely already sold. The moment you're being | | | | on them. To save money, as well as bond with |
| bombarded with wet kisses, you're probably | | | | your dog, you can do all of the grooming |
| not thinking about all the time and energy, | | | | activities yourself. You'll spend more on |
| not to mention the cost of owning a dog. | | | | the initial supply of shampoo and nail |
| Besides the time spent training and caring | | | | clippers, but they'll pay for themselves the |
| for it, there are also the basic expenses of | | | | more you groom your dog. The most critical |
| food, a warm bed, grooming and veterinary | | | | expense to consider is that of veterinary |
| care. In addition, you'll want to have a few | | | | care. Unlike toys and treats, this expense |
| other things on hand: a leash and collar for | | | | cannot be eliminated in a pinch. This is a |
| walks, toys for playtime and treats for | | | | necessary cost of owning a dog. In a perfect |
| training. Most of these expenses vary from | | | | world, dogs would see the vet once a year. |
| dog to dog. Take food, for example. A | | | | They'd go for annual rabies and distemper |
| three-pound Chihuahua will eat less than a | | | | shots, as well as tests to check for other |
| 100-pound Great Pyrenees. But it's not only | | | | canine diseases. This schedule would stay in |
| the amount of food they eat; it's also the | | | | effect for the life of the dog. |
| type of food. You can spend a nominal amount | | | | Unfortunately, sometimes dogs need more |
| on low-quality dog food that contains a lot | | | | frequent vet visits. Ear infections, sprains |
| of fillers, and not enough protein and | | | | and stomach ailments are among the most |
| minerals, or you can spend several times that | | | | common reasons dogs visit their vets. |
| amount on a special raw diet. While these | | | | Thankfully, these are usually temporary |
| types of diets generally offer all the | | | | issues, and dogs recover rather quickly. |
| nutrients and vitamins a dog needs, minus | | | | But other diseases are much more serious, and |
| added filler, some dog owners like the | | | | much more expensive to treat. It's said that |
| convenience of a dry or canned food. As | | | | fifty percent of all dogs over age ten will |
| smaller pets take up less space, so do their | | | | die of cancer. But certain breeds of dogs are |
| accessories. A teacup poodle-sized dog bed | | | | more likely than others to have particular |
| would never accommodate a Great Dane. A tiny | | | | health issues, even before that age. |
| bed will cost considerably less than a large | | | | Bulldogs, pugs and other short-muzzled breeds |
| bed. But then again, you may decide to forgo | | | | are predisposed to breathing problems. Hip |
| a dog bed altogether in favor of letting the | | | | dysplasia is not uncommon in golden |
| dog sleep on a family member's bed. A toy | | | | retrievers. Cocker spaniels are susceptible |
| that is the perfect size for a tiny Yorkie | | | | to eye disorders, such as cataracts. Of |
| mouth could be dangerous around a larger dog. | | | | course, most dogs live long, full, healthy |
| A big dog could choke on a toy meant for a | | | | lives, but it's a good idea to research your |
| small dog. Larger toys are in order if | | | | breed to understand what to expect. Other |
| you're getting a large breed dog. Buy a few | | | | items such as collars, leashes, toys and |
| nice toys, if you can. Consider it part of | | | | treats, run the gamut from inexpensive to |
| the cost of owning a dog. Grooming is | | | | downright pricey. You can find serviceable |
| another consideration. It's important that | | | | nylon collars and leashes, or you can opt for |
| dogs are bathed and brushed regularly. This | | | | the rhinestone-encrusted collar with matching |
| helps keep their skin healthy and their coat | | | | leash. It's the same with toys. You can |
| shiny. As some dogs are prone to skin | | | | find an inexpensive fleece chew toy, or an |
| disorders, it's always a good idea to | | | | indestructible rubber polymer bone. Dry |
| maintain good habits in this regard. Some | | | | kibble treats can be purchased in bulk, or |
| dogs shed more than others. Even dogs that | | | | you can opt for natural treats that are made |
| are touted as "non-shedding" breeds still | | | | with real meat and vegetables. Whether you |
| shed, but maybe not as much as others. The | | | | spend a lot or a little, your dog won't know |
| home of a golden retriever might harbor | | | | the difference. However, what he will know |
| tumbleweeds of dog hair in every corner, | | | | is how much love and attention you lavish on |
| while in the home of a maltese, you might | | | | him, and he'll be forever grateful. If you |
| only find a few hairs here or there. Regular | | | | figure affection and loyalty into the cost of |
| washing and brushing can help control | | | | owning a dog, you may find that you get back |
| shedding, though at certain times of the | | | | everything you spent, and so much more. |
| year, dogs lose more hair in preparation for | | | | |
| the change of seasons. It's also important | | | | David Beart is owner of the Professors House, |
| to keep a dog's nails short. If nails are | | | | a site dedicated to family, relationships, |
| left to grow, the quick (the fleshy portion | | | | dog health, and household issues. |