Choosing your family Pet
It's an exciting time when you decide to introduce a pet into your family . And also very important to make the right choice for all of you .
We have teamed up with Sainsbury's who have launched a new tool that can help families find the perfect pet for their lifestyle, called Pawfect Match. With families having lots of different requirements and needs when deciding which cat or dog breed is right for them, the tool enables users to distill information such as how much grooming and exercise is recommended, energy levels, if a breed is good with children and if they’re hypoallergenic friendly.
It is a really great idea , and will help you with your decision by looking at your lifestyle and how a pet would fit in with what you want.
It is very easy to get carried away looking at photos of potential furry friends , but for them and for you so important to make the right choice. Certainly with dogs , different breeds have many different characteristics. Some ( like our bouncy boxer dog Bruce ) need a lot of exercise and would be no good if you don't have plenty of space and time to walk them .
Country inspired accessories for all of the family at Hettie
And if you have children take some time to research which breeds are good with little people running around. Lifetime buddies will be made :-)
It is important that you teach your children to respect your dog or cat and be gentle with it at all times. This will ensure that both your pet and your children get the most out of the relationship.
Pet accessories by Hettie
Twinning accessories at Hettie
Owning a cat is a great way to teach your kids important social skills like responsibility, respect and patience. They are a great first pet for the family because they are low maintenance and easy to care for. Just like with dogs, there are certain breeds of cat which are more suited to the busy hustle and bustle of family life.
Bow tie by Hettie
Many people buy puppies as pets , and definitely a great way to do this is to adopt.
But the decision to get a dog should be made responsibly – and many first-time owners aren’t aware of the many issues surrounding breeding and why it’s imperative to do your research beforehand. A common discussion in the dog world is whether people should buy dogs, instead of adopting one of the many who are patiently waiting for someone to give them a forever home. This is one of the main arguments for adoption; if customers choose to adopt instead of shop, breeders will be put out of business and fewer dogs will end up in animal shelters. However, the blame cannot be put on all breeders, as there are proper ones who take good care of their dogs and have rules in place for prospective buyers, but rather the problem is with backyard breeders, puppy farms and mills. In these places, the dogs are often treated badly and there are no measures in place to make sure the people who purchase them are fully prepared for the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. Many will buy a dog from such breeders and having not realised the work they have to put into this new relationship, soon after dump the dogs at shelters or on the street.
A puppy farm was confirmed this Spring which will help stop this appalling trade in puppies . Lucy’s law spelt the beginning of the end for puppy farmers
Another way is to buy a rescue dog or rehomed dog . Again this is a lovely way to help a four legged friend . Make sure you chat carefully with the kennels or shelters to find one that suits you and you family , and that you are prepared to work a little bit to help them . Bruce our boxer was rehomed several times before he came to us and had obviously been badly treated. With time , patience and love he has learnt to trust and is a wonderful member of our family.
Find out a little bit more at the Dog's Trust
From the other perspective it's also a good idea to take care introducing your family pet to a brand new baby . It's such a wonderful time becoming a parent and starting your own family unit together. If a dog is already a big part of your family it is natural to feel anxious and want them still to feel loved and not jealous of your new addition. You can read all about the experience of introducing a family dog to a new baby here on our guest blog with Amiie Williams-Read.
Hettie is a family brand with family values at heart.Our collections are born from the love and compassion within our family , through four generations and our four legged fur babies.
The Hettie family are family of dog owners. As a child we had a number of family dogs as I grew up and I still remember them all with affection . Best friends and loyal companions .And totally unconditional love .
Have fun choosing your pet . We have some beautiful accessories for them here in our Hettie Pet Collection