The Pet Shop - Whitehall PA

March 25, 2011 - PRLog -- The Pet Shop 3 Core Values

Cherish and Nurture: Provide a healthy and happy environment for pets where love and compassion are the foundation for their care

Be The Trusted Expert: Listen with care, answer with knowledge, and act with integrity

Foster the Human/Animal Bond: Recognize that a pet’s unconditional love is priceless and changes all our lives for the better. This is why we encourage all our guests of all ages to play with and enjoy the pets when they visit.

The Right Puppy For You

When purchasing a puppy you are not just getting a new pet. You are choosing a loyal companion and I lifelong friend. There is a puppy for almost every lifestyle. We select puppies from more than 60 breeds and varieties from registered Chihuahuas to Saint Bernards as well as cross purebred puppies such as Puggles, Morkies, and Teddy Bears. With the quantity of available breeds, choosing the right one is a fun but important task. We hope that the following questions will help you determine the right one for you;

Generally, what kind of dog do I want?
Do you want a large dog like a Golden Retriever, Lab, or Boxer or a smaller variety like a Yorkshire Terrier or Shih-Tzu. Would you like a family playmate like a Miniature Pinscher or Pug? How about a watchdog like a Rottweiler, German Shepherd, or Doberman Pinscher? Maybe a hunting dog like a Bloodhound?

What are my living conditions?
Dogs have different exercise levels and needs. Working dogs, like Weimeraners and Australian Cattle Dogs (Blue Heelers) need plenty of exercise and room to run. They are best suited to rural and suburban homes with fenced in back yards or nearby dog parks. If you live in the city or an apartment then the toy or small breeds like Poodles or Yorkies are a good fit. These dogs can even be paper trained and do not need a large areas for exercise. However, every dog needs daily exercise for its own health and happiness.

How active is my lifestyle?
Do you have an active lifestyle and on the “go” a lot? Do you like to run or hike? If so then a working dog like a Boxer or Labrador Retriever would be a good companion for you. Do you like to be at home a lot and read or watch movies and TV? Then a small or toy breed dog like a Maltese or Pekingese would be a good choice to snuggle up with and watch that movie.

How much time do you have?
All dogs need some form of grooming or brushing. Long coated and double coated dogs, like Pomeranians and Shetland Sheepdogs tend to shed more than other breeds. Dogs with these types of coats need regular brushing to help prevent tufts of fur landing all over the carpet and also help keep the dogs fur from “matting.” Wire-hair dogs, like cairn Terriers, West Highland Terriers, and Brussels Griffons need brushing to remove dead hair. Some breeds, like Bichons and Shih-Tzus require almost no brushing because they are non-shedding breeds.

How old are my children?
If young, then some of the small breeds like Chihuahuas and Toy Poodles may not be right for you. These small dogs are not accustomed to the rough and tumble play that smaller children like to have. There are several small breeds that do work well with younger children however and are very strong and “sturdy” dogs, like Miniature Pinscher, Bichon and Rat Terriers.

Do I or anyone in my household have allergies?
If so, then several non-shedding, hypo-allergenic dogs would be recommended. These breeds have hair rather than fur and eliminate the dander that can cause allergic reactions. Breeds such as Bichon, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih-Tzu, Maltese, and Coton de Tulear fall into this category.

What type of temperament would I like?
Would you like a dog that forms a strong bond with you and your family? If so, most breeds fall into this category especially breeds like Dachshunds or Morkies. Are you looking for a strong independent dog like a Siberian Husky or Weimeraner? Some dogs like Basset Hounds and Beagles follow their noses and occasionally be oblivious to humans. Other breeds love to be the center of attention and have affection lavished upon them like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Maltese.

Few things in life are as rewarding as the companionship of a dog. No matter what breed you choose your dog is going to be your most loyal and best friend for the rest of it’s life.