Puppy Awareness Week 2017

[zeta1454]

Puppy Awareness Week is now an annual event to try and raise awareness among the puppy buying public of what to avoid and what to look out for when considering buying a puppy. There are many posts on this subject on the Forum already but it may still be worth a look at the following links if you or someone you know are planning on introducing a puppy to the family:

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-re ... ness-week/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/gettin ... buy-a-dog/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/gettin ... t-breeder/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The horrific news item circulating recently regarding puppies and dogs being purchased to amuse children during the school holidays before being dumped or surrendered to rescues also highlights the real need for anyone who has compassion and care about animals to think really carefully before taking on the huge longterm commitment which having a dog in the family entails:

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-event ... -to-school" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Whatever your hopes and expectations may be for how the puppy /dog will fit into your life, ultimately you are taking on responsibility for a living creature - its health needs and its emotional needs - for the whole of its life to come. Whether the little puppy / dog can or cannot fulfil your hopes for it excelling as a working dog; a show dog; an agility dog; a running companion; your children's best friend or any other dream you may have entertained for the puppy, the reality is that, as soon as you bring it into your home, you are taking on a dependant with all the financial, emotional and care commitment that entails. Anyone considering getting a puppy/dog has to be seriously looking at whether they can fulfil the needs of that canine family member for its lifetime and not what the puppy or dog may be able to do or be for their own needs.