ones just as well as any purebred dog.

Puppy or adult dog?
Puppies are sweet, demanding creatures, not bound by an understanding of human rules. It will take you time, energy and patience to teach them everything from "don't run around the house with my underwear in your mouth!" to "don't rip off the wallpaper!" Usually a puppy is not the best option for a family with children who are not yet five years old.

Adult dogs are most often accustomed to proper order. They have already passed the period when you want to grab everything with your teeth. On the other hand, bad habits in such dogs are also well entrenched. Older dogs can also learn new tricks, so this should not be ruled out. For many families, an older dog would be a great choice. In our experience, these dogs bond with their new family just as much, and in some cases even more, than puppies.

Male or female?
We had both males and bitches, and we loved both. Regardless of gender, dogs living in a family should be neutered. Spayed animals - both males and females - are calmer, less aggressive, and less prone to hormonal-induced mood swings. Sterilization at an early age helps to prevent the development of certain bad tendencies, such as dominant aggression. Spayed dogs live longer and healthier lives, so don't delay! And the last thing that can be said about gender: every dog ​​is an individual, and if any general statements can be made regarding males and females, we do not see much benefit in this. The only statement that deserves attention is that unneutered males are more likely to bite people. So be sure to spay your dog!

Where to take a dog?
The best sources for getting good dogs are reputable dog breeders, gossip, dog rescue groups and animal shelters.

Reputable breeders
A good dog breeder only gets two or three litters of puppies a year. Such a dog breeder will ask you a lot of questions and tell you everything about the breed - both good and bad. A bad dog breeder will sell you a puppy and not ask a lot of questions. A bad dog breeder always has puppies, he often gets four or more litters a year. And don't be fooled by the words "Registered with AKC[1]". AKC documents are the same as a technical passport for a car. A Rolls-Royce has a data sheet, but so does a rusted-through wrecked car that can't even move.

Good dog breeders know their dogs. You will be given the opportunity to see at least one of the puppy's parents, and you should like that parent. With dogs, the apple doesn't usually fall far from the tree, and if the mother of your potential puppy is too nervous and jealously protective of her offspring, then no matter how you greet her and no matter how well you treat her, she will hide her puppies. You want a friendly, outgoing, even-tempered dog, and these most often come from friendly, outgoing, even-tempered parents. You should bet on puppies that grew up in the house, especially with well-behaved and well-behaved children.

Gossip
People move, their plans change, and it often happens that a good dog needs a new home. Tell local veterinarians, grooms, dog trainers, and pet stores (but don't sell dogs) that you're looking for a dog, and then be prepared to wait. There's a saying in dog lovers circles: "The best time to get a dog is when the right dog shows up." Don't give in to the temptation to do things faster! A good dog deserves some patience and searching.

Rescue groups purebred dogs
In almost every kennel club there is a small group of dedicated people who seek out and rescue dogs of a certain select breed, and then take care of these dogs and adopt them. We had to use the services of such groups to find and then adopt animals, and the results of such cooperation were extremely pleasing to us. Call the kennel club and ask for the phone number of a club that breeds dogs of the breed you are interested in. Contact this club and find out who is doing dog rescue work there.

Animal shelters
In every locality there is a shelter where lost, abandoned and lost dogs find shelter. Such places can be a great source of getting good dogs. Many animals end their lives there, and not at all because they were far from ideal, but because their owners were such. Talk to the people who work at these shelters and ask them which dogs might be right for you. Come there a few times. If you are serious, the shelter staff will likely be happy to help you. Remember: a beautiful dog is one that suits your family. Do not let the external beauty of the animal become a decisive factor. Too many people hunt for certain appearances and don't realize that appearances don't make a good companion out of a dog. Look for a wonderful, calm and cheerful dog, and only then learn to love its appearance.

Choosing a puppy
If you want to have a calm dog with a gentle character, then you should choose just such a puppy. Choose a puppy for traits such as poise, self-calming ability, forgiveness, sensitivity to physical pressure, noise tolerance, and affection for people. Such a choice is not difficult to make if you know a few simple tests.

Equilibrium
Does the puppy jump on you, bite your nose, pull on your shoelaces? Then you should not choose it, because it will be difficult to live with a dog whose energy manifests in this way. You should also not choose a puppy that is hiding in the corner. Instead, choose a puppy that walks straight towards you, but lacks teeth all over and doesn't show a rage.

Ability calm down on your own
Rock the puppy in your arms, turning it upside down like a baby. Does he resist, bite? If he resists more and more and bites more and more violently, this is a sign that he does not have the ability to calm down. Don't choose this puppy. It is not necessary to choose one that lies in your hands, tensed and like a stone. A shy puppy will probably not respond well to your child's normal play. Instead, choose a puppy that will lie in your arms, relaxed and content. If he bites you and resists a little, that's fine, but after that he should calm down on his own.

Physical sensitivity and forgiveness
Lift the puppy and grab the skin between the toes. Squeeze harder until he starts to react. Did he bite your hand? Did he squeal like he was being killed? As soon as he reacts, loosen the pressure. Don't choose a puppy that immediately starts yelping or biting to stop you. Choose one that whines a little, tries to remove its paw, or pays little attention to your actions at all.

Ability прощать проявится после того, как вы выпустите лапу щенка. He immediately calmed down and maybe even started to lick you? This is a normal reaction. If he looks scared or withdrawn, don't take him. A puppy who is not able to forgive almost always brings trouble. All sorts of things can happen to your pet, especially when there are children around, so the ability to forgive is crucial.

Ability переносить шум
Ability переносить шум — важное качество, если у вас есть дети. For dogs that are afraid of noise, any loud noises associated with a baby and the appearance of some kind of noisy toy in the house is a whole event. Throw a bunch of keys near the puppy. Some puppies startle, and then begin to examine the fallen object. Others won't even notice. Such puppies are a good option for a noisy family. Don't take puppies that run away for cover and stay there.

Attachment to people
Sit in the same room with all the puppies for about ten minutes. Look for a puppy that will stay by your side. Avoid puppies that won't come up to greet you within a minute. If any the puppy constantly bites you, avoid him too. Each puppy is an individual, a personality. Each brood has a number of such individuals. There is a chance to find a pair of friendly, even-tempered puppies attached to people. Choose your new pet among these puppies.

Choosing an adult dog
When looking at an adult dog, don't judge it based on how it behaves towards you. After all, she doesn't know you! If possible, observe how she treats "her" people. If she behaves towards them in a friendly and calm way, this is a good sign. If its behavior is uncontrollable, avoid such a dog. Look for a dog that lives with children and loves them. Beware of those who have spent their whole lives on a leash. There is a possibility that they are not properly trained and do not treat people too favorably. Do not ignore three- and four-year-old dogs: it is quite possible that they will enter your house as easily as if they had always lived there.

If you choose an adult dog at a shelter, talk to the staff. Often employees know the best dogs and can secretly point you to one of them.

The hostel is always very noisy. If you are bringing a child (or children) with you, you should use earplugs. Then the kids will feel more comfortable and will be able to focus on watching the dogs. Under no circumstances should you stick your hands or fingers into the cages with dogs!

Walk back and forth along the passage between the cages