THE #1 GUIDE FOR FINDING & RAISING YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND
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Facts you need to know
185 BREEDS!
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Inside:
THE GREAT CANADIAN PET FOOD GUIDE
COMMON PUPPY PARENTING
MISTAKES UPDATE ON
WIN
FREE DOG
CANNABIS
FOOD FOR A YEAR!
FOR CANINES
SPAY AND NEUTER Why new studies
WHAT TYPE OF “DOG” ARE YOU?
say to wait
THE DOs & DON’Ts OF
GIVING HUMAN FOOD TO DOGS
Creating the pawfect
Take our quiz to find out
$11.95 Canada
ANNUAL 2019
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contents 88 Lifestyle & Travel 12 Puppy planning 101 How to choose and prepare for your new pup.
15 Dog care contract
Make sure the entire family is on board with your pup’s care!
64 What type of dog are you? Are you more like a Lab or a Chihuahua? Take this quiz to find out!
77 Safe car travel for your dog Crates, carriers, and harnesses – oh my!
80 Essential safety tips for the outdoor adventure dog Plan ahead before heading out!
88 Ten self-care tips for pet parents Make time to look after yourself, too!
100 Disaster prep for dogs This simple plan will keep your companion safe if catastrophe strikes.
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CANADIAN DOGS ANNUAL 2019
Nutrition 22 The dos and don’ts of feeding human foods to dogs Which human foods are safe for your canine companion?
56 Quality dog foods made in Canada Healthy, home-grown dog foods are more available than ever!
84 Choosing the perfect dog treats How to find the best brand for your best friend.
Dog-human Interest
26 Celebs and their dogs Can you match these celebrities to their breeds of choice?
38 How dogs see the world Research shows dogs don’t see in black and white.
48 How dog DNA can help humans The Canine Genome Project has implications for understanding issues in dogs and humans.
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PUPPY PLANNING SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE DECIDED TO ADD A PUPPY TO YOUR HOUSEHOLD! THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU’LL NEED TO CONSIDER TO ENSURE YOU BUY JUST THE RIGHT BREED FOR YOUR HOME, FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE. AND YOU’LL ALSO NEED TO PREPARE FOR HIS ARRIVAL SO THAT HE BECOMES A VALUED MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE! KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND.
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MAKE A PLAN
First of all, establish that everyone in the family is on board with introducing a puppy. Lay down some basic rules: who will feed him, take him out in the yard, walk him, train him, and groom him, where will he sleep, and so on. (See our Dog Care Contract on page 15.)
101 BY STEPHANIE HORAN
2CHOOSE WISELY
The importance of crate training
Using a crate is a very effective way to housebreak a puppy. Dogs have an instinct to seek out a “den”. A puppy will consider the crate his den and will not soil it unless absolutely necessary. It will also become his retreat when he wishes to nap undisturbed. A crate is also essential when travelling: a dog is much safer in a crate than roaming loose in your vehicle.
Age matters
Most people think that getting a dog means getting a puppy, but for families with small children or elderly relatives, an older dog may work out better. An older dog will have outgrown his puppy silliness and boisterousness, be house- and lead-trained, and should have some basic manners. If this is your preference, let the breeders know when you make your enquiries, as they may have an older puppy or young adult, or even a retired show dog, available for a new home. Rescue groups for a particular breed may also have a suitable dog.
The right breed
Consider the size of the dog and the ages of your children before committing to a particular breed. A rambunctious large-breed puppy might accidentally knock over a toddler, whereas a very small-breed puppy may get hurt if children play roughly with it. Many family-friendly breeds will happily welcome everyone into their homes. Some owners may be better suited with breeds that are known to devote themselves to just one or two people, and that will deter intruders rather than greeting all visitors indiscriminately with a wagging tail. Consider which temperament will suit you best.
all over the upholstered furniture unless regularly and thoroughly groomed! Flip to page 60 for grooming tips for every coat type.
Busy or laid back?
Some breeds are very active and require lots of exercise – in their traditional working roles, these dogs have been bred to spend long hours outdoors and on the move. If yours is a couch potato family, then choose a breed known for its more laid-back attitude. An energetic puppy forced into inactivity will find ways to amuse himself, including wrecking your home out of boredom! If you have ambitions for training your new companion for performance events such as obedience, agility or field trials, pick a breed known for its intelligence, trainability and suitability for such activities. Remember that these breeds are also likely to need a lot of exercise.
Coat care
Long-haired or smooth-haired? Be prepared for coat care regardless of the dog’s breed, but know that long hair requires a grooming commitment. Be sure someone in the family is willing to take on this task. A short-haired breed will cut down on grooming time, but the house-proud owner should be aware that many dogs will shed profusely
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