Every time I see a shopping mall pet store, I wish I could stand in front of it and show the passersby an elderly Chihuahua named Sophia. Sophia is the reason no one should ever buy an animal from a pet store. Like most dogs for sale in stores, she came from a puppy mill.

When I first met Sophia, I didn’t think she would ever get over her intense fear of humans. The first month I had her, she huddled in the corner of my bedroom and shook with convulsions whenever I looked at her, her large eyes bulging with fear.

Sophia was one of a hundred neglected dogs seized by authorities 14 months ago from a puppy mill in North Carolina. Instead of frolicking in a home with loving guardians, Sophia and her fellow inmates were relegated to dilapidated wood and wire outdoor hutches, denied proper nutrition and veterinary care, given algae-coated water and forced to sit in their own waste. Like Sophia, most of the dogs were small breeds: Chihuahuas, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus and others. They were being exploited for the sole purpose of making money for their owner.

Puppy mills are a thinly veiled “secret” in the pet store industry. The little bundles of joy in pet stores come from puppy mill mothers like Sophia, who are forced to bear litter after litter, with dire consequences to their health. Male breeders are stuck in cages, treated like assembly-line objects, and both males and females are thrown away when they can no longer reproduce. The puppies they give birth to are usually sick–infested with parasites and infected with viruses and diseases on top of the genetic problems they’ve inherited from their worn-out parents.

Puppy mill dogs are never touched with a loving hand, fed treats, given soft beds or chew toys or taken for walks. Their basic physical needs are unmet and they are emotionally ignored. And they carry their wounds with them. When People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) gained temporary custody of 20 of the North Carolina puppy mill breeding dogs, I agreed to foster six of them. I was totally unprepared.

Most of them were so scared of people that even if gently touched, they would lose control of their bowels. They had infections, parasites and untreated broken legs that had calcified and healed improperly. When I lifted a camera to snap a picture, they scrambled against the wall, their bodies trembling so hard I thought they would collapse. They would do anything to get away from me, which made giving them their medicine for all their ailments next to impossible. It soon became clear that I had a lot of making up to do for the human race.

Now, I’m proud to say, a lot of that fear is gone.

Sarah, a Chihuahua mix who spent the first year or more of her life in a cage, enjoys playing tricks on my son, stealing his socks and toys and running away with them when he isn’t looking. Chandler, one of the youngest of the bunch, no longer cowers in fear but rolls onto his back to have his belly scratched when he’s done playing with his new friends–three large shepherd mixes. Theresa, another little Chihuahua mix, is slowly learning to trust me and recently started touching my legs affectionately when she thinks I’m not looking. And Sophia, the one I thought would never trust humans, sleeps curled up in a queen-sized bed, snoring like a contented freight train as her new foster mom desperately tries to get some sleep.

The best way to help dogs like Sophia is to refuse to buy animals from pet stores. There are millions of dogs and cats in animal shelters across the nation waiting for homes. All of them are special and all have something to offer. If you have the time and resources to share your home with one–or better, two–of them, go to your local animal shelter and adopt. It’s time to put the puppy mills out of business.

Christina Matthies is a proud foster mom and writer for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; http://www.HelpingAnimals.com

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Choosing the right breed of dog is not an easy task considering that there are hundreds of dog breeds. It is possible to follow a few obvious rules and narrow down your choice while selecting dog breeds. It is not advisable to go only for looks or aesthetically pleasing breeds because these considerations tend to overshadow the more practical considerations, some of which are detailed further on.

First and foremost, is your dwelling place suitable for the breed you want to consider? Apartment dwellers should avoid large breeds. Obviously, Toy Group dogs like Yorkshire Terriers are a good choice.

The presence of children in the house is another factor. Toy Group dogs are delicate and can easily suffer injuries at the hands of innocent children whose instinct is to grasp and squeeze.

Large dogs are too strong and might accidentally push or topple very small children without intending to.

Medium sized breeds are best if there are children in the family.

Dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups need plenty of exercise. An enclosed yard is a big help. If there is a park close by, that would also do as long as you are regular in going there. These breeds were bred to work hard and they always have excess energy that needs to be let out in some way.

Study grooming and see how much time can be devoted to it. Some breeds need no more than ½ hour per week. Others might need a full hour a day. Don’t buy a Standard Poodle if you are busy.

People short on time should go for Boston Terriers or Whippets.

Once the selecting of dog breeds is complete, decide on the age. Puppies might not have developed any bad habits but they need to be properly trained. Grown up dogs are already housebroken and have some obedience training but they could possibly have health or behavior problems that is causing their owner to sell them in the first place.

If the decision is to buy a puppy, then a reputable dog breeder must be located who has a litter of the breed that has been selected. Good breeders usually have a waiting list for puppies of all breeds. Impatient people are likely to be put off by this and rush off to a pet store to buy a puppy immediately. Beware, pet store puppies are normally bred in puppy farms and could have health problems, bad temperaments, etc. The safest thing to do is to buy a puppy directly from a reputable breeder and from nowhere else.

The best places to inquire for grown up dogs are the local animal shelter or the breed rescue. These groups are responsible for evaluating a dog’s health and temperament before putting them up for adoption and are safe options.

Get all of your dog information at [http://yougodog.com]

Copyright 2006 @ Ann Born [http://yougodog.com] No part of this article may be reproduced in any manner without including the author’s bio.

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With hundreds of breeds to choose from, how do you decide which one is right? Narrow down the choices in a few simple steps.

Size Matters

First, consider your available space. If you live in an apartment, you can rule out large dogs. Look for dogs in the Toy group, such as Yorkshire Terriers, or some of the smaller dogs in the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.

If you have children, you may want to rule out very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese. They are delicate and can be accidentally injured by young children. On the other hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards, can be overly boisterous and can accidentally turn your child into a human bowling pin. Consider medium-sized breeds, such as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos.

Exercise Essential

Next, consider how much exercise you can give your dog. If you have a home with a fenced yard, your dog will be able to get some exercise on his own.

However, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups are very high-energy animals, and they will need intensive daily exercise. Plan to take a lot of long walks with your dog or go for a daily romp in the park. After all, these dogs were bred to work hard, and they don’t do well unless they have a job to do or a way to burn off excess energy.

To Groom Or Not

Also, don’t forget to consider grooming needs. Some breeds need only half an hour or so of grooming a week, while others require an hour a day. If you are short on time, don’t buy a Standard Poodle or a Maltese — unless you plan to take your dog to a groom. Breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets are good choices for people who don’t have time for a lot of grooming.

Puppy Problems

Once you decide which breed you want, you will need to consider the age of the dog. Many people opt to buy a cuddly little puppy instead of an adult. While puppies have the advantage of not yet having developed any bad habits, it will be up to you to be sure your puppy is housebroken and obedience trained.

Do you want to buy a puppy? If so, you will need to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the appropriate breed. Often, a good breeder will have a waiting list for puppies.

If you aren’t the patient sort, you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. A word of caution — many pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have genetic health defects, bad temperaments, and other problems. It is usually safest to buy a puppy directly from the breeder.

Older dogs are usually housebroken and frequently have some obedience training. They are also less likely to be hyperactive and destructive. However, they can have behavioral problems or health problems that prompted the former owner to find them a new home.

If you are interested in an older dog, you may want to visit your local animal shelter or call a breed rescue. These groups evaluate the dogs’ health and temperament before adopting them out.

Once you’ve picked the breed and the dog, you have one more important decision to make — what to name your new best friend!

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit new-pup.com to learn more about this subject.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

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