A dog is for life, not just for puppyhood! For many years to come, he’ll be at the heart of the family: a constant source of energetic fun, love and affection. So, long-term, choosing the right dog for you and your familes lifestyle is vitally important. Do you choose a puppy or an adult? Pedigree or crossbreed? Let’s explore the options:

Pedigree or mixed breed?

There are more than 200 breeds recognised in the UK alone, plus all those adorable crossbreeds and mixed breeds in infinite variety.

The major advantage of choosing a pedigree (pure bred) is predictability. You can be fairly certain that you will get predetermined size, coat length and texture, character, energy level and susceptibility to illness.

Cross-breeds (parents from two different pure breeds) can be predictable too, but you can't be sure which breed might dominate your dogs basic character. For example, a Border Collie-Labrador cross could be either laid back or brimming with energy!

Mixed breeds (otherwise known as mongrels) come from an entirely non-pedigree background. Sometimes you can see a few hints as to the parentage; with others it's impossible to guess – particularly when they’re puppies – they simply just look cute!. Infact, genetically mixed breeds are often healthier, since they usually have a larger gene pool and fewer hereditary problems.

Puppy or adult?

Puppies are adorable and cute, however they are also very time-consuming in the early days, with frequent trips outside for toilet training and constant vigilance to ensure your favourite possessions don't end up as chew toys!

Homeless adult dogs can make exceptional pets and will often come with a good deal of training and socialisation. However, it is important to consider that adult dogs may also come with 'emotional baggage' and time and patience may be required to overcome timidity, a lack of social skills or other difficulties.

Dog or bitch?

Un-neutered dogs of both sexes always come with a few extra challenges. Males can wander off in search of females in season. Females may have phantom pregnancies and can be difficult to manage during their season. The cost of neutering a female is much greater than for neutering a male, and greater still if she is already pregnant. It's best to be guided by the breeder or other sources of expertise, such as a vet, behaviourist or trainer as to whether a male or female is best for you and your lifestyle.

Breeder or Rescue dog?

If your heart is set on a pedigree or cross-bred puppy then finding a reputable breeder is really important. Try contacting The Kennel Club or a breed club secretary who may have a list of litters available, or can put you in touch with breeders in your area.

Adopting a dog from an animal shelter or larger welfare organisation can be incredibly rewarding. There are thousands of potential ‘family friends’ waiting for a second chance in life, often having lost a home with their first owners through no fault of their own. Reputable centres assess the dogs they take in carefully and will help match the best canine personality to you, your family and your lifestyle.

Not surprisingly, puppies for re-homing tend to be in pretty short supply. You may have to take your time contacting several shelters and might have to travel further afield. Consider contacting the larger organizations such as Dogs Trust, The Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs Home or Dublin SPCA.

Around the age of seven, your family friend starts taking life a little easier, so his nutritional & exercise needs begin to change. Though with larger breeds, this change tends to take place at little earlier at around five years old. Its at this age, your dog is heading into his senior years. Senior dogs are less active and have a slower metabolism, so they need fewer calories and less fat from their food. Infact a diet that contains high quality, easy-to-digest protein can help more than ever in keeping your dog in trim, healthy and happy!

What this means is a good senior diet should be concentrated, high quality protein, be low in fat and contain easy to digest carbohydrates for energy. A senior dogs diet should also contain key minerals to support ageing joints, and vitamins C and E to help fight infections. If chewing becomes more difficult, a smaller kibble size will also help your dog enjoy his meals more and help him get the most of them.

Remember though, if you change your dog onto a new food, you should start by mixing the new formula with what your dog is used to and then slowly building up the proportion over a week to ten days until you are only feeding the new senior formula food.

How to feed

We recommended feeding older dogs once or twice a day, although you may prefer to to fed little and often. Being less active older dogs are particularly prone to weight issues so even though it’s hard…. try to resist those lovely big brown eyes and try not to overfeed.

Chef’s orders!

An older dog may also lose his sense of smell a little so try and serve the food at room temperature so that your dog can really smell, taste and enjoy every mouthful

Table for one!

When eating, your family friend will appreciate being fed in a quiet place away from interruptions – and kids! It's also a good idea to feed on a surface that is easily cleaned, like a tiled floor or a mat.

How much?

Follow the feeding guide on the back of the pack, but remember the guide is only there to give you an idea. Like us every dog is an individual, so the main consideration is to feed enough to maintain a lean, healthy condition. And always provide a bowl of fresh drinking water.

Weight- watching!

Senior foods tend to have a lower calorie level that can help control this weight gain. But if you are worried about your dogs weight gain,maybe consider trying a specially formulated 'light' product. These are lower in fat whilst still containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals, to keep your dog healthy and happy.

As you know prevention is always better than cure, so we suggest you get your friend regularly checked out for any possible signs of illness. A quick check-up is also a great excuse for a hug and a cuddle!

Health check list:

• Body condition – Performing regular body condition checks on your dog is much easier than it sounds! It’s simply a matter of using your eyes and hands. When you run your hands over your dog, you should be able to feel and (depending on breed/coat length) sometimes see their ribs relatively easily, with only a slight covering of fat. Your dog should have a well-defined hourglass waist when viewed from above and the belly should slope upwards from the chest towards the hindlegs. Regular checks can help you notice any gradual weight loss or gains that may occur over time.
• Ears - Your best friend’s ears should always be clean, without any thick waxy discharge, redness, itchiness or odour. However some long-eared breeds would probably benefit from regular ear-cleaning with special ear cleaners - which is likely to be recommended by your vet. If your dog starts to hold his head to one side, rubs one side of his face along the carpet/grass or is always shaking his head, pop down to your vet for a thorough ear examination!
• Eyes – Your family friend’s beautiful, expressive eyes should be bright and clear, with no signs of runniness, redness or soreness. Your dog shouldn’t squint or shy away from light and if you notice him bumping into objects all of a sudden that’s not really like him, we recommend you ask your vet to take a look at him.
• Nose – Next time you give your best friend a hug, take a quick look at his nose. Noses can change from black to pink and back again. There should be no crusting on the surface of a healthy nose, nor should there be any runny or thickened discharges or bleeding. It is also worth noting that a healthy nose doesn’t always have to be very cold or wet!
• Mouth – Teeth should be white/cream with no excess tartar, which looks thick and brown. The gums should be a healthy pink or black and not red, swollen or bleeding.If your dog has bad breath, this could be an indication of bacterial overgrowth or plaque on the teeth/gums, which can lead to tooth decay. So to keep your dog healthy and happy make sure you ask your vet to check your best friend’s teeth every time you visit!
• Skin & Coat – Stroking and cuddling your dog is a joy for all the family, but what’s beneath that lovely coat? Your dog's skin can be pink or black depending on the pigments common to that breed or the individual genetic history. It should be free of crusting; itching, scaling, black/white spots and infected or hot and inflamed areas. The coat should be thick (depending on breed) and shiny with no broken hairs, bald patches, dandruff or fleas. Regular grooming is important and is for the kids to do !
• Nails - These should be smooth and can either be white or black. Nails that are roughened and flake or break easily may require veterinary attention.
• Digestion – Keep an eye on your dog's appetite and always know what you are feeding and what everyone else in the family may be feeding! If you decide to change his diet, make this a gradual process, normally over the course of 7-10 days. Occasional eating and regurgitation of grass can be normal, but generally speaking your dog should not be no vomiting, showing reluctance to eat or have difficulties when eating. But as with everything,if in doubt, seek veterinary advice.
• Thirst - If your dog suddenly becomes very thirsty or starts drinking more than usual without excessive exercise, it could indicate an underlying medical problem and we would recommend you consult your vet.
• Attitude - Your family friend’s general attitude to life can tell you … a lot! If you notice his head and tail are down and he seems quieter and less playful with all the family than usual, it could mean he’s feeling a little under the weather. Poorly dogs might skulk in corners, dig holes in the garden to lie in or sometimes appear unusually aggressive for no apparent reason. If you're worried at all, ask your vet’s advice.

Every time you and your whole family (which of course includes your dog) venture into the great outdoors, you do each other a power of good! Not only do you get to share all-important time together, but you also help your dog to control his weight and stay in trim. And just think how much better it makes you feel too!

Variety is the spice of life!

Whether exploring the local park or a wild mountain top, your dog loves to spend time with you and your family, particularly if you make that time really special by varying locations – allowing him to meet new playmates and follow new scents! As well as taking different routes for ‘walkies’, try to build in some playtime with games and challenges. Your best friend will be in his element!

Most puppies and young dogs in particular really benefit (and love!!) from a game of fetch. As long as they receive a reward in the form of hugs and cuddles (rather than too many treats) many dogs will gladly wear out anyones throwing arm! Careful though, whilst its really tempting, avoid throwing sticks, as the wood might splinter and hurt an over-eager dog.

Different strokes

Your dog’s breed will probably determine whether he’s happiest charging through streams and up to his eyes in mud, or taking a more genteel approach to exercise. Terriers love to dig, while hounds, probably prefer sharp bursts of exercise. ‘Country’ breeds particularly enjoy lots of running around and canine sports. Why not contact The Kennel Club or ask your doggie owning families to learn more about your dog's instinctive preferences.

Easy does it!

If your family friend hasn’t been used to regular exercise, its best to begin with short periods of activity at slow speeds and then gradually increasing the time, speed and distance. Its worth thinking about that whilst keeping your dog on a lead gives you control when walking or running, you may find that your dog will be better managed wearing a head-collar or harness if he is very enthusiastic or large and powerful!

Food & drink!

Very few of us would fancy a run around the park after a big hearty meal, your favourite family friend is no different. A lot of charging about on a full stomach may cause digestive upsets’ so allow an hour for dinner to go down! Exercise is thirsty work too, so make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh, clean drinking water available.

Rain or shine!

Whilst not everyone feels like it, come rain, shine, sleet or snow, your dog still needs and enjoys regular exercise. But bare in mind extremely hot or cold weather present extra challenges. Dogs feel the cold too and can suffer from frostbite just as we do. If you or your family walk your dog in the snow, wipe the paw pads to remove any snow, ice or salt that may have got caught in his fur when he’s been running around. And, come summer, do watch out for sunburn and heatstroke.

He’s still at the heart of the family and - at heart - he’s still up for anything! With regular visits to say hello to the vet, and lots of loving care, your best friend can look forward to years of walkies, tummy rubs, great meals and hugs yet to come!

Just like the rest of us as he reaches senior status, a dog’s senses will eventually slowly start to deteriorate, affecting his vision, hearing, taste and smell. Most surprisingly his appetite may also decrease too, leaving him thinner. None of this will affect how affectionate and huggable he is though!!!

With all of this it's can still be hard to guess the age of a dog, especially with the considerable differences between breeds. Generally speaking, small dogs live the longest, while large breeds have in comparision shorter lifespans (a Great Dane is considered 'old' at six). At the same time, like us, lifestyle also has an affect on how long a particular dog will live such as diet, exercise and medical history,

The signs of ageing

To help you the most practical way to tell if your dog is ageing is simply to observe his or her behaviour and appearance. Bascially, how old does your dog act, look, and feel? Though its not always easy to know what you are looking for, so here are a few pointers:

• Decreased energy levels
• Stiffness in the joints.
• Rougher and thinner coat.
• Deafness.
• Tooth and gum conditions - look out for food being dropped, or excessive salivation and pawing at the mouth.
• Warts or fatty lumps (Get them checked out by your vet)
• Excessive thirst and frequent or uncontrolled trips to the loo.
• Confusion or failure to recognise surroundings.
• Decreased appetite.
• Depression or disobedience.
• A hazy, bluish cast on the eyes, which is normal and usually does not hinder the eyesight. However, the hazy, whitish growth of cataracts can lead to blindness. Your vet can help you distinguish the difference.
• A tendency to sleep more during the day but sleep less at night.
• Weight gain - a particular problem amongst senior dogs.

If you start spotting some of the signs of old age, don’t worry it doesn't mean you have to wrap your best friend in cotton wool. It just means you might want to you should think about altering your routine slightly and taking a few precautions.

Proper medical care - its important to keep a eye on your older dogs health so regular checkups with the vet are really important . Also, you should also try to making a note of any warning signs you might observe and let your vet know when you see them.

Good exercise - because obesity and arthritis are two of the most common problems experienced by older dogs, its really important to maintain a regular exercise routine – though you probably do this already!!..

Daily routine – keeping a consistent daily routine is really important to your older dog's physical and emotional health: it’s comforting and reassuring for them to know when they are getting fed or walked!

Healthy skin and coat – we probably don’t need to tell you this but as part of your regular routine, its good to get out the grooming brush once a week – and to make time for baths: which, lets be honest are great fun and an opportunity to get close and soak each other too!

Healthy teeth and gums – as dogs get older they are more prone to gum disease and tartar build up, so keep up with the regular visits to your doggy-dentist (the vet).

Senior nutrition

Like us, as dogs get older they attend to be less active and also have slower metabolism: so staying slim isn’t as easy so fewer calories in their diet is key. A diet with high quality, easy to digest protein is more important than ever in helping maintain overall body condition.

A good senior diet, should provide concentrated, high quality protein be low in fat, and contain easy to digest carbohydrates for energy. At the same time your older dogs diet should contain key minerals support ageing joints, and vitamins, along with protein, which will help fight infections that the body may become vulnerable to as the immune system declines.

Nutritional balance – it’s what keeps our family friends at their bright, beautiful and frequently barmy best – keeping up with the rest of the family!!! There are six major groups of nutrients in this balancing act: water, protein, fats/oils, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. (Did you know that a dog actually has to obtain 37 different essential nutrients through food alone?)

Usually, there’s no reason to change your dog’s nutrient balance from the early days of adulthood until he reaches 'senior' status. The age at which he becomes a senior citizen will vary depending on his body-size and breed, but on average this occurs around seven years of age. Ideally, your adult family friend (like you) needs a combination of meat, cereals and vegetables in the correct proportions to have a nutritionally balanced meal.

All good quality complete manufactured dog foods, such as Winalot, are specially formulated to provide the right balance of all the nutrients a dog needs to stay healthy and happy. Whilst its difficult to resist at times, adding human food and scraps to a nutritionally balanced complete food doesn't really do your best friend any favours - and actually upsets this finely-tuned nutritional balance. So remind all the family to resist those pleading eyes from under the dinner table.. he’ll thank you in the long run!!

Water

Like us, the amount of water your special friend needs depends on things like the weather, exercise levels and whether he’s eating wet or dried food. Water is just as important to dogs as it is to us as it regulates the body's internal temperature, transports nutrients and other materials around the body and is involved in almost all the bodily processes. So remind everyone to make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times.

Protein

Proteins are the building blocks of the body. The proteins you feed to your dog as part of a complete and nutritionally balanced dog food contain all of the essential amino acids he needs. In fact it is the proteins that are responsible for forming healthy muscle, skin and hair, as well as being an key part of your dogs immune system.

Fats

Fats are what provides the 'fuel' your dog needs to be able to keep up with family life. Good fats, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, are vital for healthy skin and coat condition and they also provide insulation and protection for the internal organs. Fats also improve the taste of food – so a little bit goes a long way in making sure you dog enjoys his meals!!

Carbohydrates

Believe it or not dogs are classified as omnivores - and although they don’t have a necessary requirement for carbohydrates in their diet, carbohydrates are an important source of energy for dogs and go a long way to help support overall gut health.

Vitamins

Dogs need these too, although in small amounts through the diet, to help maintain growth, normal vision, a healthy skin and coat, wound healing and normal functioning of the nervous system. In fact vitamins are also involved in practically every chemical reaction leveling a dogs body for the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Minerals

As well as vitamins. minerals, such as calcium and phosphorous, are essential for strong, healthy teeth and bones and are important to have in sufficient and balanced proportions through a dogs diet. These minerals are particularly important the health and happiness of growing puppies. Other minerals that are important in a dogs diet are sodium, chloride, magnesium and potassium, as well as zinc, copper and iron.

Moist or 'wet' foods

Like us, our family friends actually prefer their meals fresh! So try to keep open cans, foil trays or pouches covered and refrigerated, for up to, but no longer than, 24 hours. At feeding time make sure the you serve the food is at room temperature because the more he can smell it, the better he can taste it!

Complete dry foods

Whilst they might not seem like it to you, dry kibble foods are actually very popular with dogs as they contain the right balance of nutrients and a crunchy texture to help keep teeth healthy,.They’re more concentrated with nutrients than moist foods, so only small servings are needed. Careful though. it pays to check the pack to make sure you’re buying a ‘complete’ dry food rather than a pack of treats. If you decide, for one reason or another, to change your dogs food either from wet to dry or even changing between different brands, make sure you introduce the new food gradually over a seven to ten day period .. it helps avoid any form of tummy upsets.

What not to feed

I know it feels like you are doing a really nice thing for your dog, if you regularly prepare your dog's meals from table scraps or specially purchased meat, be careful. These meals are often too high in protein and are not rich enough in other important nutrients and minerals, like calcium. This could lead to your dog not getting everything he needs and becoming malnourished. Don’t forget, some common human foods such as chocolate, rhubarb, onions, spinach, beetroot, and grapes are poisonous to dogs!

Food supplements

Supplements are not usually necessary when a healthy dog is being fed a nutritionally complete and balanced manufactured pet food such as Winalot. However, situations such as pregnancy, over or under exercise, or existing medical conditions may mean your dog needs special nutrition. If in doubt, just pop along to your vet!