I'M SURE many of you were captivated by the array of dogs at Crufts this year – and wasn’t that winning Dachshund very handsome?

The sight of all those beautiful dogs often encourages people to consider a dog for themselves. There are obviously many reasons why you may be thinking about acquiring a new dog.

Our receptionist Lesley Baillie – who works in both Dunedin Vets branches in North Berwick and Prestonpans – recently had to bid farewell to her elderly dog Millie, her companion and friend for many years.

Lesley was devastated but knew she needed a companion to fill the void. She began to consider which breed or type of dog would be best for her.

The arrival of a new pet is a very exciting time, but careful consideration should be made regarding the type and breed of dog you choose.

Many problems we encounter in the practice are a result of purchasing a pet not suited to lifestyle and family environment.

There are, however, many benefits of owning a pet. Companionship is the most obvious.

Having a pet to talk to and interact with can take away many of the stresses of daily life.

Taking a dog for a walk provides exercise and helps in creating a healthy lifestyle. Having a pet is known to assist in the recovery from illness. In fact, PAT (Pets As Therapy) dogs are encouraged in some hospital wards to help patients on the road to recovery.

Dogs come in a huge variety of breeds, shapes and sizes, so choosing a dog to fit your lifestyle can be extremely difficult. It is best to do lots of research before contemplating buying a dog.

Many dogs have natural instincts such as herding and guarding, and these should be considered prior to choosing a dog.

Also consider how the pup was raised. Were they house or kennel reared?

There are seven main classes of dogs, each with their own characteristics:

l Toy dogs: as the name suggests, they are small dogs but are generally high maintenance and require a lot of grooming. They are, however, dogs and not toys or accessories. Examples: Bichon Frise and Chihuahua.

l Utility breeds: there are a variety of breeds in this class but most tend to be courageous extroverts so need good control. Examples: bulldog and Dalmatian.

l Terriers: they hunt by instinct and are brave and tough. They may be generally small but require lots of exercise and play. Examples: Border terrier and Airedale.

l Hounds: these hunt and can be quite aloof; they are quite independent and often like to be with one owner. Examples: bloodhound and basset hound.

l Working dogs: as the name suggests, they have specific jobs. They are intelligent and may be quite large and guard dogs. Examples: St Bernard and Samoyed.

l Pastoral dogs: these are bred to work with livestock and are very intelligent. They require mental and physical stimulation and tend to be tough and need a role. Examples: Border collie and Belgian shepherd dog.

l Gundogs: they find and retrieve game. They have amenable temperaments and are active and affectionate. Examples: springer spaniel and retriever.

We cannot, however, forget the crossbreed dogs, which are by far the most popular dogs around. Their nature will depend on their breeding and obviously they come in a huge range of sizes.

Nowadays, there a large number of crossbreeds which are designated ‘designer breeds’. Breeders will tell all the advantages of these ‘breeds’, but be aware not only are there advantages attributed to the parents, genetic traits from both breeds may also be present and in veterinary practice, we do see a disproportionately high number of problems with these dogs.

There are many questions you should ask yourself before considering buying a dog.

l Are there young children in the family? A utility dog, such as a miniature Schnauzer, or gundog e.g. Labrador may be breeds to consider.

l Is everyone in the family out of the house during the day? Are you really able to look after a dog? An independent cat may be the best option.

l Do you live in a flat? Consider a toy dog, e.g. Chihuahua.

l Are you fit and able to go for long walks? Then the working or pastoral dogs should be considered e.g. Border collie or Doberman.

l Do you have any fur allergies? Consider some the soft-coated dogs such as poodles.

l Do you have a large garden? The terriers enjoy running around in enclosed spaces, e.g. Border or Patterdale terriers.

Lesley considered very carefully what breed she should choose.

She knew she wanted a fairly active dog who would enjoy long walks and travelling in her campervan with her.

She also knew she did not want an overly large breed. She works part-time so wanted a breed which could be trusted to be left for short periods but was also friendly and enjoyed loving, human contact.

After much deliberation, Lesley settled on a Tibetan terrier.

These are a medium-sized breed originating in Tibet.

Despite the name, they are not terriers but actually working dogs.

They are therefore very loyal and affectionate but also energetic and sensitive.

Tibetan terriers have a mid-length coat which is very soft and hypoallergenic so excellent for anyone with animal hair allergies, but does require a good deal of grooming.

After searching far and wide, Lesley found a breeder who had just had a litter of puppies.

So, after a few weeks and a long journey, wee Hetty arrived home with Lesley.

She really is a cutie and was so well behaved when Lesley brought her to the surgery.

She is settling in well at home and hopefully she and Lesley will have many happy years and enjoyable adventures together.

The rewards of owning a pet are immense.

With careful consideration prior to purchasing a pet, you can have a cherished companion for many years to come.

Caring for them can sometimes be a challenge but should give great pleasure to owner and pet alike.