Are you here because you're looking for a good dog for your family? If so,
then congratulate yourself for having the foresight to do some research before
you act.

Here's a newsletter article I wrote about breed selection:
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CHOOSING A DOG

Many people choose their new puppies or dogs with their hearts. You go to the
pound and see a sad face you can’t live without. Or you see somebody giving
away puppies on the side of the road, and they are just too cute for words, and
so tiny. At that moment, a 10-15 year commitment is not in your mind. But it
should be!

Before you take home that furry face, there are things you need to consider.
For example, what if that tiny puppy grows to 80 pounds? Can you handle it if
his energy level requires a place to run, and he’s knocking your lamps over
in your apartment with his clumsiness?

Using your mind instead of your heart can prevent that tiny little puppy from
becoming the next sad face in the pound.

Adopting a new family member should be carefully planned. There are no
“free� pups. They need to have a course of inoculations and be spayed or
neutered, and see the vet on an annual basis.

They may become ill or have an accident, and require thousands of dollars worth
of care. They need to be fed daily, and kept on heartworm and flea prevention
all year long in many states. If they have long hair they need to be groomed,
some professionally. Dogs are expensive!

Though every individual dog is different, there are similarities in breeds. If
you are a couch potato, that adorable Type-A Border collie puppy is not for
you. The breed requires constant mental and physical stimulation, and will
convince you to throw the ball for him 500 times in a row in order to keep your
sanity. Or if you want a dog to go biking with you and meet you at the door
with excited yips and kisses, then you probably wouldn’t be happy with a
greyhound, who takes short sprints and is done for the day and shows how
excited she is to see you by possibly getting off the couch.

Age is also important. Many people want a puppy instead of a dog because they
are so cuddly and cute. But a puppy is a LOT of work! They require constant
supervision. They will nip and possibly terrorize small children with their
little razor teeth, just by acting like normal puppies. They will urinate all
over your house and make your couch into a chew toy if you don’t supervise
them constantly. Depending on your family and lifestyle, it might be a better
move to get an older dog.

It’s hard not to let your heart be kidnapped by a sweet furry face. But if
you don’t also use your head, the results could be disastrous for both the
dog and your family.
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Okay, that said...

People in this society are overworked, overstressed, and not always willing or
able to take on the responsibility of dog ownership. They cost time and money,
two resources we are chronically seeking and of which we never seem to have
enough.

If you are already stretched to your limit, especially in attention, you may
want to consider the Japanese Aibo. This is as close to the perfect dog that
you are going to get. When you want to interact with it, it is very obedient
and learns very easily. The biggest difference between an Aibo and any other
breed is that you can leave it alone for long periods of time. This dog
doesn't require any attention to keep its good nature, and yet will respond to
you the moment you ask it to.

The Aibo is 100% safe around children. There is no other type of dog that
comes with this guarantee. It will also not chew your shoes or wet on your rug
(and there's almost a 100% guarantee that any new dog you adopt into your home
WILL).

Here's a link to more information about the Aibo:

http://tinyurl.com/4jrh3
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