Mixed Breeds For Dummies. Miriam Fields-Babineau

with the mother, who is tied up outside, the pups probably never received proper handling or care.

       How big is the operation? Is this the breeder’s profession? If so, the kennel may be large, but should not contain more than two different types of hybrid mixes.

       Do you see external parasites (such as fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and mange) on the puppies? If the pups are kept outdoors in unsanitary conditions, they’ll probably have one or more external parasites along with some internal ones.

      

With all the money to be made on designer dogs, lots of breeders are popping up claiming to have designer puppies, without giving any thought to the backgrounds of the parents. Many of these breeders have become puppy mills, merely churning out pups without regard to the welfare of the animals.

      Shelters

      Animal shelters (including humane societies) are great places to find a mixed-breed dog. If you get a dog from a shelter, you’re helping in many ways. You’ll be saving a life. Plus, your adoption fees go toward helping other homeless pets.

      Getting a dog from a shelter does carry some risk — you may be bringing home a dog who’s sick. But the rewards outweigh the risk. (To minimize your risk, be sure to ask questions — see “Knowing Which Questions to Ask,” later in this chapter.)

      Rescue groups

      Most rescue groups are dedicated to specific breeds, but they often take in dogs who are mixes of the breed they work with. Other rescue groups take in dogs of any breed.

The best place to locate a rescue group is through the Internet. Most rescue groups and humane societies tend to advertise their adoptable dogs on Petfinder.com. The AKC also has a page on its website that lists breed-specific rescue organizations (www.akc.org/akc-rescue-network).

Knowing Which Questions to Ask

      When you’ve found a dog you’re interested in, your work has only just begun. You need to ask questions (either of the breeder, the shelter workers, or the rescue-group guardians) so that your decision is a rational one, not one based on how adorable the dog is. Here’s a list of questions to start with:

       What breeds are part of the dog’s makeup? The breeds that are part of the dog’s family tree will give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of personality, size, and other attributes. (See Chapter 3 for more on all this.) The dog’s current guardian may not be able to recognize every breed, but she should be able to give you an educated guess.

       Which vaccinations has the dog received? Has the dog been neutered or spayed? Is the dog receiving heartworm and flea preventative? Some shelters, such as those in rural areas, don’t have the funds to handle these health issues, whereas most rescue groups make certain that these things are immediately handled upon the dog’s acceptance into their organization.

       What is the dog’s personality like? How about her social skills? If the dog you’re considering has been in a foster home for a while, the current guardian should be aware of the dog’s overall behavior patterns.

       How much exercise does she currently get? Is it enough to keep her satisfied?

       What is her behavior like when she’s in the house? Does she live harmoniously with other dogs or cats?

       How does she do when walking on a leash?

       Has she learned any obedience commands? If so, what are they? Be sure to ask how to perform those commands with her if you decide to adopt the dog.

       What is the dog eating? Does it agree with her? The best way of checking this is to ask whether her feces are solid (they should be) and medium to dark brown in color; that her weight is normal; and that she has bright eyes and a healthy coat.

       What are the dog’s feeding and relief schedules?

       Where is the dog comfortable sleeping? In a crate? In a pen? In the bedroom? Somewhere else?

      You need to find out as much as possible about this dog, so don’t be afraid to ask. In fact, the dog’s current guardians will be more likely to accept you as the dog’s new guardian if you ask the right questions with a genuine interest in the answers.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match: Temperament Testing

      When you’ve found a dog you think is right for you, you’ll want to do what’s known as temperament testing. Temperament testing is just what it sounds like — a way to test the dog’s temperament and be sure she’s right for you and your home. It informs you of the dog’s overall personality — how she prefers to be touched, what frightens her, how she feels about being a family member, and whether or not she’ll want to share her toys. It will also give you some insight into what her strengths may be (such as enjoying a game of retrieving or having strong herding ability).

      There are five general tests you can perform with your potential new dog prior to bringing her into your life. I cover all of them in the following sections.

      Be gentle: Testing for touch sensitivity

      This test lets you know whether a dog has any special sensitivities in specific areas, as well as how she feels about being touched in a dominant manner. It’s also a great way to break the ice, because most dogs adore being touched and will quickly become great friends with those who offer it.

      Here’s how to test a dog for touch sensitivity:

      1 Touch her chest, up under her chin, up the sides of her face, her ears, her head, her back, her tail, and her legs.Most dogs, even overly excited ones, will calm slightly when getting a belly rub. Progress slowly and patiently if working with a fearful dog. Be patient if she moves away and allow her to approach you. Some dogs aren’t familiar with being touched in certain areas such as their ears, tail, legs, or feet.

      2 When the dog has accepted touch on her upper body, move your hands down her legs: Lift her feet (see Figure 4-1), touching her paws and toenails.Illustration by Barbara FrakeFIGURE 4-1: Lift the dog’s feet and touch her paws and toenails to see how sensitive she is.Here are some possible reactions you may see:The dog growls. If the dog growls, stop all temperament testing and move on to another dog. She may be injured or ill; ask her current guardian if the dog has shown any symptoms.The dog moves away, growling. A dog who moves away while growling may be aggressive and unsocialized. Don’t force yourself on this dog — she might display fear aggression. Give her the opportunity to return to you without force. She may be injured or ill; again, ask the dog’s current guardian if she’s shown any symptoms.The dog cringes but allows you to touch her. A dog who allows you to touch her but cringes may be friendly but also may have been abused at some point in her life. She would do well in a quiet home with adult guardians who have lots of patience and time for her.The dog allows touch, but doesn’t react. A dog who allows you to touch her but doesn’t react may be ill or traumatized. It’s highly unlikely that she won’t respond to some form of touch — dogs love being massaged and touched, especially on their backs, chest, and tummies. Look closely for a sly grin — you may have missed it.The dog allows touch and responds by moving closer. A dog who moves closer as you touch will be a great candidate for most environments except for being left alone for long periods of time. This is also a dog