The world's first "DogSite" helps you find, train, and care for a family pet!

Everything You Need To Know About The Family Dog

If you're thinking about a new dog, start with a checklist: Apartment or Estate size? Long coat or easy groom?  Low Allergy?  High energy?  Are there seniors in your family?  Who will take care of the dog?  Kid's pet or guard dog?  Finding just the right dog can take a little planning because the last thing you can afford is a bargain that is chronically sick or mentally unstable.

Getting a dog is a wonderful experience that helps children learn and accept new responsibilities.  Did you know that children who grow up with dogs are less prone to allergies? No children? Then go wild exploring the breeds section below!  Purebred or shelter rescue?  Make that decision wisely because most people don't know puppy factories churn out "purebred dogs" for shelter sales.  Wow!  If it sounds like all these decisions could give you a headache, don't worry, the FAMILY DOG SECTION is like aspirin in advance...

Maybe you want to explore your options first.  You aren't sure about veterinary or grooming expenses.  You've heard some breeds have more health problems than others.  True.  Perhaps you want a breed that needs less grooming than the Collie you grew up with?

Go to the GALLERY OF DOG BREEDS and explore all the different breeds!  Learn what makes a Basenji not a Beagle and why a Wolfhound isn't suited for homes with toddlers.  Find out which breeds are best for high-rise living (and why Border Collies aren't), which breeds really are best with kids, or learn more about the guarding and personal protection breeds.  All the dog breeds are there including some of the rare breeds.

THE KID'S PLACE is a wonderful section of TheDogPlace.org and "a dog for the kids" unites the family, teaches patience, responsibility, and a new understanding of other beings needs and feelings.  Children of any age can take part in teaching and training the new dog and in so doing, they learn all the values that you want them to carry forward into their lives.  There are lots of carefully chosen stories, some are written by our own Dr. Lee, a psychologist who hosted radio and television shows and coached kids from elementary school to college.

The DOG NUTRITION INDEX makes feeding your new puppy or the dog you already own simple, inexpensive, and healthy for a carnivore.  Learn about BARF (bones and raw foods) nutrition.  It doesn't have to be one way.  Mix and match home cooked and the right commercial pet food. Feeding your dog is easy; people have done it for thousands of years!

The first two weeks are critical for you and your new dogs so be sure to see this section on DOG DILEMMAS AND MANNERS.

Curl up with a great dog book and a devoted dog at your feet and enrich your soul. Explore DOG BOOKS or read online in DOG STORIES and POETRY, we've got that too!  Classics by famous poets and fascinating original works by our readers and award-winning writers.  Nobody knows dogs like we do!

Thank you for visiting TheDogPlace.org