Does Your Pet Determine the Size of Your House?
So, you’ve signed an offer to purchase your dream home and your new puppy has just arrived.
Which canine breed best fits the size of your new home?
Royal Canin South Africa, producers of Royal Canin® ranges of canine and feline health nutrition asks if you have considered the size of your house when getting a dog.
Michelle Christie, Royal Canin South Africa’s Corporate Affairs Manager says that making a decision to own a puppy should not be made solely on the “adorability” factor, but rather on the adult size of the breed selected. Also, do not assume that you can, and will, move into a bigger place soon. Puppies develop into full grown adults in a very short space of time. At 12 months of age, most breeds are at full adult size with giant breeds fully grown between 18-24 months.
Rather adopt a smaller breed such as a Dachshund, Yorkshire Terrier, Shi Tzu or Poodle which are all ideal for small and large homes. Many terriers are too. The Jack Russels spring to mind as a bundle of joy for many owners, although usually highly energetic, they are perfect for small gardens and require extra exercise such as daily walks.
Apartment living does not mean animal lovers cannot own a pet. Smaller, less energetic breeds are ideal for small apartments. Remember, regular exercise is a vital part of responsible pet ownership and should not be avoided as it allows a pet to experience unfamiliar sights and sounds and to socialize with other humans and pets. Daily walk around the neighbourhood is great to keep them fit, healthy and certainly appreciative of their owner’s efforts.
Christie says that some medium to large breed dogs do not mind smaller spaces. Bulldogs love to be lazy and will be content to find a sunny spot and lie there all day. Again, remember to exercise gently daily, especially in the case of a Bulldog but make sure that the time of day is cooler and the exercise is not too strenuous as they tend to suffer from heatstroke easily.
These days, pets have become watchdogs, remember that owning a watchdog does come with both benefits and some disadvantages. For example, they tend to be alert at night and will warn you of dangers, however, during the day they may bark at anything that passes by, from children to the odd mouse running past the gate. Great for safety, but you may get complaints from neighbours.
Christie advises that adopting a breed that matches the size of your home and fits in with your lifestyle will make your living space a brighter and happier place. Consult a veterinarian first as their professional opinion is a really good guide to ensuring that the breed or type of dog that you want, fits in with your lifestyle. They also have experience with various breeds and can provide valuable insight into not only the physical facts about the dog, but also any other problems that you may encounter with certain breeds.
Royal Canin® is a global pet nutrition company that focusses on highly digestible, highly palatable and specific diets for cats and dogs available at veterinary clinics and specialized outlets. Royal Canin provides the perfect nutritional solution for each pet including a full range of tasty prescription foods for those pets with veterinary-diagnosed ailments and diseases. A member of the Pet Food Industry of South Africa (PFI), Royal Canin® is represented globally in many countries on their pet food forums and is active in helping raise the quality and food safety standards worldwide.
For more information on how health nutrition can assist veterinary care, contact Royal Canin South Africa on 0860 630 063 or email info@royalcanin.com