Nurturing Canine Health
Owning a dog, or some may say being owned by them, is one of the most fulfilling and enriching relationships humans can experience, thanks to the sense of emotional wellbeing and unconditional, uncomplicated love dogs give us. The saying that dog is man’s best friend, has remained an adage through the ages for very good reason, due to this unique and rewarding experience of sharing our lives with them.
But this joyous experience has many factors which need to be carefully researched, thought about at length and meticulously examined before being embarked on. Being a long term commitment of at least a decade, if not more, the cuteness of a puppy or a thousand movies and cartoons about these fabulous creatures, can’t be the only reason we get them. Their welfare, their wellbeing and the protection owners need to give them, has to supersede everything else! It can’t be about us and has to always be about them.
What is Dog Welfare?
Dog welfare means providing lifetime protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease. In its simplest form it means how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives. A dog is in a good state of welfare if it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express innate behavior and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear and distress. Good welfare requires disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling and dying without suffering. Dog welfare refers only to the condition of the animal. The treatment that dogs receive is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment.
A better way to further elaborate on this is to share the 5 Domains of Animals. The chart below identifies these 5 concepts. Click on the tab below to learn more about these 5 Freedoms in more detail.
Guideline
Puppy Caring
The first step to responsible dog ownership should start with deciding if you're suited to owning a dog!! Here are some questions to think about before deciding to buy a puppy.
Responsible Breeding
Responsible dog ownership should always start with choosing a dog from a Responsible breeder! It’s crucial to get clear and thorough knowledge on registered breeding, what to consider when choosing your new puppy and other similar valuable aspects about Responsible Breeding.
Why Choose A Registered Breeder
Have you wondered what breeding pedigree dogs is all about? It starts with knowing the basics and mechanics of what responsible breeding is all about. One of the most profound pieces of the puzzle in this journey is finding a responsible and registered kennel club (NCO) breeder.