BEFORE
YOU BUY...
Purchasing a puppy is a serious decision to make. This is a choice that
will impact the next 10-15 years of your life. Here are a few things to
consider before you make your choice:
• What hours
do you work, and will the pet have any company during the day?
• If buying a puppy, can you provide care during the day and meals
at regular intervals until it is six months of age?
• Puppies need a lot of attention and must be constantly supervised.
Do you have time to care for a dog? eg: exercise, grooming, obedience
and play ?
• A puppy/dog is a responsibility 365 days a year. This includes
vacations, holidays, etc. Who will look after your pet when you're away?
• A puppy is a permanent part of your family and is therefore a
long-term commitment (the average life span of a dog is 10 to 15 years).
This means you need to be prepared to dedicate this many years (maybe
even more) to properly looking after your dog. Are you prepared to care
for a dog for over 10 years?
• If renting accommodation, are you permitted own a pet?
• Do you live in a suitable location for a pet? eg: away from main
roads
• Are you prepared to confine your pet inside your house at night?
• Does a pet fit in with your lifestyle, activities, sporting pursuits
and priorities?
• If you are part of a family, the decision to get a pet should
be a combined one, as all family members will come into contact with the
pet, and should be involved in looking after it. Do not buy a pet for
a child until the child is old enough to understand how to care for the
animal and be gentle with it. Never expect the child to be sole
responsible for the dog. Puppies and children are not always
a good combinations. Bringing a dog into a family that has children should
be done only after a lot of thought and planning. Small children should
never be left unsupervised with a dog or puppy. Children are rough on
animals and even the best children can be abusive by hitting the dog or
teasing it. It is not fair to put an animal in a situation and then punish
it for defending itself when it is being hurt.
• A puppy is an expense. Like anything else, don't buy one if you
can't afford to properly care for it. The Miniature Schnauzer should be
groomed every five to eight weeks, are you prepared to pay for this if
you don’t want to do it yourself? Can you afford to own a pet with
costs such as registration, vaccination, vet bills, food, grooming, desexing
and boarding?
Get a puppy from a reputable breeder! This is a person who breeds according to the Bred Standard, who strives to breed the healthiest dog possible by testing and being knowledgeable.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
We
are members of the American
Miniature Schnauzer Club
