Breed All About It: Advice For Dog Owners In NYC

An interview with Dr. Nicholas Dodman about training your new best friend By [Amanda Ferris ] For many families in New York City, deciding to get a dog can be a weighty decision, as many New Yorkers have small living quarters, long work hours and unpredictable schedules. What"s more, picking a breed can be an undertaking in itself; how do you know which breed is right for your family and lifestyle? Should you get a purebred or a mixed breed, and how do you know that a shelter dog will be a safe addition to your family? To answer these questions and more, we chatted with Dr. Nicholas Dodman, of Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine (and a frequent contributor to the popular Animal Planet television show Dogs 101), for his expert advice on picking the right pet for your family and making sure your pooch is healthy, balanced, well-exercised and stable. What breeds would you recommend for families living in the city? I"d recommend [that families consider] mixed breeds. If you adopt a dog from a shelter, you can save a life; 2.2 million dogs are put to sleep each year. Besides, purebreds can come with problems, too's they can have physical issues and bad temperaments. The well-adjusted dog for city dwellers would be a medium- to low-energy dog. Do your research and look up dog breeds to see which ones are low-energy. You need a stable, well-balanced, well-socialized dog that is confident yet has low exercise levels. But remember that it"s not just breed, it"s the personality, too, and it"s really all about the individual within a breed. I would advise someone to look up characteristics of different breeds first, and then make list to see which one fits your lifestyle. What sort of health concerns should families be advised about before they decide to purchase a dog? The more mixed a dog is, the less chance of recessive genes causing problems because they are â??diluted, and first generation mixed breeds typically have â??hybrid vigor. With a purebred dog, it"s your duty to find out about health problems that are common to the breed. For example, Dobermans can have compulsive disorders and hemophilia, while a German Shepherd is prone to hip dysplasia, a Saint Bernard is prone to seizures, etc. Every breed has its issues, so make yourself aware of physical problems by researching online or asking a knowledgeable person. If you buy a purebred, make sure to ask the breeder questions and make sure they answer honestly. I also recommend asking the breeder if you can see the mother and father of the puppies. Do you have any suggestions on how to keep a dog healthy and exercised, even in a small apartment or if both parents work? Most people don"t understand that a walk around the block doesn"t cut it, and it"s their duty as a responsible pet owner to find a green area where you can exercise your dog, and where they can go off-leash or swim to get proper exercise. Even using a treadmill indoors's if properly supervised's can work. Generally, which of the suitable breeds for city dwellers are the easiest to groom and to train? I keep coming back to poodles. They are easy to groom, easy to train and they are low-key enough for apartment dwellers. They are terrific dogs; they are intelligent, they don"t shed very much and they"re not super high energy, but they will play with their owners. Are there any specific tips for city families and their dogs? The most important advice I can give is this: make sure your dog receives appropriate exercise and mental stimulation, is fed a diet that is appropriate for its life stage and activity level and that you communicate clearly with your pet. Dogs don"t speak human language, so only use one word commands. Finally, also make sure that you have a control system in place and research leash laws.