Recommended dogs: Many loving dogs are available for adoption through the humane society and local rescue organizations. Also, there are many organizations which rescue specific breeds. Please contact us or the humane society for the telephone numbers of these organizations.

Diet: Dogs should be fed a high quality food such as Iams or Science Diets. Puppies and nursing mothers should be fed a high quality puppy formula. Do not feed your dog "people food", rawhides, or bones. Be sure to monitor your dog's diet. Obesity is a common problem in pet dogs and can lead to serious health problems.

Water: Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Bowls should be cleaned daily with warm water and soap.

Grooming: Dogs can be washed up to twice a month using a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo. Be careful not to over-shampoo your dog. This can strip the natural oils in the dog's coat, causing irritation to the skin. Dips and flea shampoos can cause problems for some individuals and should be used with caution. Puppies over 8 weeks old can be bathed with mild shampoos which are specifically labeled for use on puppies. Also, brushing to remove excessive hair and prevent matting should be done on a regular basis. Large mats are painful and can lead to many serious skin problems.

Toys: Keep your dog happy by supplying plenty of toys. Remember that puppies explore their world by chewing. Make certain that your puppy always has plenty of toys it is allowed to chew on. Bones, rawhide bones and pigs' ears are not recommended.

Behavior: All puppies should go to training classes for obedience and proper socialization. Dogs of all ages can benefit from obedience classes.

Vaccines:Vaccines are given every year to adult dogs. Puppies need to have a series of vaccines starting at 8 weeks of age until they are 4 months of age. Once the series is completed, they receive their next vaccines in one year. A comprehensive examination of your pet and the pet's life style help to determine which vaccinations are needed and at what interval for each pet.

Heartworm Disease - A blood test for heartworm disease is recommended once a year at the same time as the annual examination. We recommend use of Heartgard once a month for prevention of heartworm disease.

Spaying and Neutering: All dogs should be spayed or neutered between 6 to 8 months of age unless they are being bred or shown. Breast cancer is extremely common in female dogs. Spaying your dog before her first heat will decrease her risk of developing breast cancer by 99%. Similarly, male dogs have a high incidence of developing prostate cancer, colon cancer, testicular cancer, and rectal cancer. Neutering can prevent a majority of these cancers from developing.