Australian Cattle Dog. Charlotte Schwartz

not acceptable behavior. Males are wonderful companions that demonstrate their love through their devotion to their family.

       In a working breed like the AuCaDo, color is not a major concern and is a matter of personal preference when choosing a dog. Both Cattle Dog colorations are equally striking.

       BOY OR GIRL?

      An important consideration to be discussed is the sex of your puppy. For a family companion, a bitch may be the better choice, considering the female’s inbred concern for all young creatures and her accompanying tolerance and patience. It is always advisable to spay a pet bitch or neuter a pet male, which may guarantee your dog a longer life.

      Females are usually more docile and quiet than males, though just as loving and devoted to their owners. Except when they are in season, they tend to stay closer to home and lack the instinct to wander. Once in heat, however, the female may run off if given the opportunity to search for available males for mating. Occasionally a female may be snappish during her heat cycle, so the owner will need to be careful with her around strangers at that time. For the person simply wanting a companion or helper, rather than a potential show or breeding dog, a neutered male or spayed female is obviously preferable to a sexually intact one.

      Whatever your decision, you should plan right from the start to neuter or spay your pet puppy at the appropriate time to assure you have the best possible relationship with your dog. In addition, altered dogs, both male and female, are at a much lower risk for cancer than intact dogs. Neutering males helps them settle into their homes and not become neighborhood nuisances with wandering. Without the production of hormones, the male dog lacks the desire to breed, making him a more reliable and easygoing companion. Likewise, spaying females is definitely a must. Females come into season twice a year and the heat cycles last for about 21 days, during which time they attract males from miles around. Having a group of males parked in your front yard for three weeks and ruining your flowers and shrubs with urine is enough to convince you to spay, not to mention the accompanying health benefits for your dog.

      Before your new puppy arrives, do some research into the availability of puppy training classes in your area. Often called Kindergarten Puppy Training classes, they specialize in socializing your puppy with other puppies and their owners. The puppies are taught simple basic obedience behaviors such as sit, down, come and heel (how to walk nicely without pulling their owners down the street). People who have experienced a puppy class often comment that it was fascinating and fun to watch all of the puppies grow and develop into pleasant, willing companions. The normal eight-week course should be well worth the price and effort for all concerned.

       ARE YOU PREPARED?

      Unfortunately, when a puppy is bought by someone who does not take into consideration the time and attention that dog ownership requires, it is the puppy who suffers when he is either abandoned or placed in a shelter by a frustrated owner. So all of the “homework” you do in preparation for your pup’s arrival will benefit you both. The more informed you are, the more you will know what to expect and the better equipped you will be to handle the ups and downs of raising a puppy. Hopefully, everyone in the household is willing to do his part in raising and caring for the pup. The anticipation of owning a dog often brings a lot of promises from excited family members: “I will walk him every day,” “I will feed him,” “I will house-train him,” etc., but these things take time and effort, and promises can easily be forgotten once the novelty of the new pet has worn off.

      Once the puppy reaches the age of about eight months, he can be considered an adult, although he probably won’t fill out and look mature until around one year of age. During the adolescent period of five to eight months, the puppy can be enrolled in a basic beginner obedience class rather than the puppy class. Regardless, your new pup will need some form of basic training to teach him manners and self-control.

      The “big day” is getting close. When the much-anticipated litter reaches six weeks of age, it’s time to visit them. The average AuCaDo litter is four to six puppies, and you’ll surely enjoy watching the siblings interact with each other! You also should meet the dam (mother) and sire (father), if he is on the premises, and observe the puppies as they interact with their parent(s). If possible, get to know the parent dogs and observe their temperaments. Are they friendly? Calm and confident? Good with the puppies?

       If you aspire to show, be sure to make your intentions clear to the breeder. This future star is already practicing his pose!

       PET INSURANCE

      Just like you can insure your car, your house and your own health, you likewise can insure your dog’s health. Investigate a pet insurance policy by talking to your vet. Depending on the age of your dog, the breed and the kind of coverage you desire, your policy can be very affordable. Most policies cover accidental injuries, poisoning and thousands of medical problems and illnesses, including cancers. Some carriers also offer routine care and immunization coverage.

      Pay close attention to the environment in which the dogs live. Does the home look and smell clean? Is it a safe place, free of dangerous obstacles and potential problems that the puppies can get into? Is the atmosphere pleasant and free of loud noises and irritating distractions?

      Next, observe the puppies as they interact with the breeder, with you and with other dogs in the home. You won’t want to choose a puppy that’s fearful or so subdued that he doesn’t react favorably to his environment. Rather, look for puppies that are delighted to see the breeder as he enters the room. Ideally, you’ll be looking for puppies that are curious about you and, by their actions, show that they’re eager to make friends. Regardless of a breed’s ideal temperament at maturity, all puppies are usually curious and friendly. If possible, sit down with them and let them investigate you and your smells. Let them crawl into your lap, lick your hands and otherwise show by their behavior that they want to be friends.

      Other dogs in the home should be tolerant of the baby dogs and, even if they’re not the puppies’ parents, be gentle and non-aggressive. Many times an adult dog will tire of the puppies’ antics and quietly turn away from them rather than put up with their clamoring and nipping.

       PUPPY APPEARANCE

      Your puppy should have a well-fed appearance but not a distended abdomen, which may indicate worms or incorrect feeding, or both. The body should be firm, with a solid feel. The skin of the abdomen should be pale pink and clean, without signs of scratching or rash. Check the legs to see if the dewclaws have been removed, as this is done at just a few weeks old.

       Observe the breeder with all of her dogs, not just the litter. The dogs should be good-tempered and affectionate toward their owner, signs of good breeding and proper care.

      Now is the ideal time to inform the breeder about your decision concerning your preferred gender. Also discuss the approximate date when the puppies will be ready to go to their new homes. Set aside a date and time when you will return to pick up your puppy.

      Ask about a sales contract, health guarantee and the puppy’s papers (registration certificate and pedigree). The breeder can explain about each of these to you. Now also is the time to get feeding instructions from the breeder. Find out what brand of dog food the pups are eating and the amount and times when they’re fed. You should duplicate this schedule as closely as possible for the first few weeks after bringing your puppy into his new home. If you choose later to change the puppy’s diet, consult your veterinarian before doing so.

       INHERIT THE MIND