| The domestication of dogs occurred between 12,000 | | | | take up more than 10 percent of your dog's diet. |
| and 25,000 years ago. Experts say that all dogs have | | | | Foods like cooked eggs, fruits, cooked vegetables |
| evolved from the wolf. There are about 400 | | | | and cottage cheese. After your dog is at least a |
| different breeds of dogs. But the most popular dogs | | | | year old they may be fed only one meal a day. |
| are the mix breeds or non-pedigreed dogs.Before | | | | However larger dogs may benefit from two smaller |
| you buy any pet, you must consider the cost of | | | | meals because they are prone to bloating. Puppies |
| taking care of it. Once you get a dog you are | | | | that are six months to one year should be fed twice |
| responsible for its health and basic care and taking | | | | a day and younger puppies several meals a day. |
| care of a dog is not cheap. It also depends on what | | | | Avoid giving human food to puppies because it could |
| size dog; the smaller the dog, the less expensive it | | | | interfere with vitamins and minerals that the puppy |
| will be. A small dog will cost, on average, about $420 | | | | needs to grow. Avoid using generic dog food |
| dollars a year and that is including food, veterinary | | | | because brand name dog food has to follow strict |
| bills and license. A medium size dog will cost you an | | | | federal guidelines that some companies who make |
| average of $620 dollars a year and a large dog about | | | | generic dog food do not, because they may be |
| $780 dollars a year. These averages do not include | | | | made locally. Wean your puppies off puppy food |
| being spayed or neutered.One of the best places to | | | | after six months, in this case it can be too much of a |
| get a dog is at a local humane society. Their adoption | | | | good thing and puppies may grow too fast and put |
| fee will often cover the cost of the dog being | | | | stress on joints and bones. Pick age appropriate dog |
| spayed or neutered. They often will already have | | | | food. Don't forget to offer fresh water and wash |
| most of their shots and be dewormed. Sometimes | | | | their water dish daily.Your dog must have exercise. It |
| they send you home with ID tags and a leash. | | | | will help prevent obesity and boredom that can lead |
| Contact your local humane society and see what | | | | to destructive behavior. It will also sharpen their |
| they have to offer, in some cases you can save a | | | | minds. Your dog needs to run, chew and chase. |
| couple hundred dollars in just medical expenses alone | | | | Consult your veterinarian because different dogs |
| over picking up a dog at a pet store.Dry dog food | | | | have different exercise requirements based on sex, |
| can provide a well balanced diet for adult dogs and | | | | age, breed and level of health.Before you bring your |
| helps with tartar control on the teeth and healthy | | | | dog home make sure you have the basic things dogs |
| gums. It can be mixed with water or broth. Some | | | | will need. Your dog will need food, food and water |
| human food is okay for dogs to eat and may be | | | | bowls, brushes and toys. You will also need ID tags, |
| beneficial for your dog's health, as long as it doesn't | | | | leash, crate and a dog bed. |