Choosing the right dog for your family

Do you have the right dog at home? When choosing a family dog, it is obviously very important that you get it right. If you don’t have the right type of dog, you will eventually end up suffering.

Adults may be able to control an angry dog or run for safety, but can you? So, your parents must be really careful when buying a dog. They should always keep your safety in mind. Even if you choose a ‘family-friendly’ dog breed, there could still be problems.

Some dogs are not tolerant of children and could be a threat to them. There are many breeds of dogs out there to choose from. Even in Sri Lanka, we have many dog breeds to choose from. It’s just a matter of selecting the right breed. Today we are going to help you find the best dog breed for your family.

As usual, the Labrador Retriever is always on the top of the list. This dog is well accepted because of its good nature. The Labrador is not generally aggressive or hyper-active. It is playful, easy-going, intelligent and patient. No wonder it is loved by the young and old. Because of its mild manner, it is the first choice when it comes to working with the handicapped.

The Lab is also a great pick if you have other animals; they are very accommodating. A well-cared for Lab can live up to 13 years. In order to reduce boredom in these dogs, they should be kept active. These dogs love playing in the yard or taking walks.

Number two on the list is the Golden Retriever. They are similar to the Lab in personality; they are also mild-mannered, kind and enjoy being around people. They too get along with other pets.

These dogs are intelligent creatures to train. Playing ‘fetch’ is a favourite game for them. Because of their playful nature, this breed of dog would be great for an older child who enjoys the outdoors. Regular grooming is required because of their long hair.

The next pick is the Beagle. Even though they have a ‘baying bark’, they are not aggressive dogs. However, their barking makes them great watchdogs. These dogs are friendly. Their tails seem to be in an unending wagging motion. Because friendliness is their nature, they do not like being left alone and become bored when left by themselves for too long. They are great picks for smaller children because of their size.

Another great pick for children is the Basset Hound. They are generally docile (calm and quiet), yet they’re known for their stubbornness. They are also known for their gentleness and are quite sweet by nature. They’re great with children of all ages and enjoy attention from them.

The German Shepherd is another pick. Again, these are probably best for older children who enjoy playing outdoors. Because of their size and strength, they are probably not suitable for younger children.

German Shepherds are known for their loyalty. Police often use them for search and rescue missions. They are protective by nature and are quite tolerant. It’s best to start training these dogs as pups as without training, they could be a handful.

The black and white spotted Dalmatian is generally associated with fire-trucks. But for a family, a Dalmatian would be a trusted friend. They are very outgoing dogs with lots of energy to spare. This dog needs companionship from humans.

The Bearded Collie is another great choice. These are active dogs and would do best outdoors. They like to have open spaces to run, so they would not like to live in an apartment. The Bearded Collie is known for its bounce. They are very playful and happy.

They like to be around people and will not hide their excitement of being around you. Then there’s the American Cocker Spaniel. They are sensitive and sweet dogs. They are generally obedient to their master and enjoy the attention of children. They are definitely people-friendly dogs.

The Cockapoo is not only good around children, but gets on with other pets as well. It does not need a lot of space and can happily live with a family in an apartment.

In choosing the right dog for you and your family, always remember that there are always exceptions to the rule. Each dog is an individual.So, you should always be cautious with and around unknown dogs.

Compiled by Janani Amarasekara
 

A cat’s toes

We know that humans as well as most animals have five fingers and toes on each limb.

Have you ever noticed that some cats have six toes? May be you haven’t, because polydactyly, or having extra fingers or toes, which is a common trait among cats, is especially evident among those of certain European regions, south-west Britain and on parts of America’s eastern coast.

Polydactyl cats are also known as ‘mitten cats’, ‘thumb cats’, ‘six-finger cats’ and ‘Hemingway cats’. Now, you must be wondering about the relevance of the last mentioned name.

It is linked to the famous author Ernest Hemingway, who lived on the small island of Key West in Florida, USA. He shared this island with nearly 50 cats including a six-toed cat which had been given to him by a ship’s captain.