BY TRICIA DESPRES | FOR THE SUN-TIMES
Is a family pet something you’ve been considering for a while? More specifically, a dog?
If so, avoid one common mistake many would-be pet owners make: procuring the wrong breed for a family’s lifestyle.
“I think that if your life is too hectic already, getting a dog is not going to make things any easier,” explains Nancy Reyes, trainer and owner of For Your K9 in Melrose Park. “I think if people are realistic about their lifestyle and take the time to get educated, it’s going to make life better for people and the dogs.”
2015 INTERNATIONAL CLUSTER OF DOG SHOWS When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 31-Feb. 1 Where: McCormick Place Lakeside Building, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive Tickets: $15-$20 (Free for children under 12 with the purchase of an adult ticket) Info: ikcdogshow.com
Indeed, education is vital and something that serves at the core of shows such as the 2015 International Cluster of Dog Shows, where attendees can take the time to research, meet and get to know the breeds of dogs they think they know. Hosted by the International Kennel Club of Chicago (IKC), the show is one of the largest all-breed benched dog shows in the country that not only draws the top dogs from across North America to compete for prizes, but also offers families multiple opportunities to get comfortable with all breeds of dogs.
“Adding a dog to your family is not meant to be a quick decision,” says Susan Olsen, the IKC Chicago show chairman. “It’s something you really want to do your homework on. Are you really prepared for the walks in the rain and in the snow and going to the vet and spending money on grooming?”
And while IKC rules prohibit anyone to sell or place a dog at the show, which takes place this weekend at McCormick Place Lakeside, Olsen says events such as this go far in helping to educate the general public.
“When they place these puppies, these breeders ultimately want to make sure they are placing them in a forever home,” says Olsen. “This event offers people the precious time to find out all the details about these dogs and the good and the bad about each breed.”
The show, which has been presented in Chicago since the late 1800s, also offers a number of agility and obedience demonstrations, including the “Meet the Breeds” and the “Pet the Dogs” exhibit among new offerings for this year.
“The World Canine Freestyle Organization will hold a dancing-with-your-dog competition this year,” explains Olsen. “These people have been training for years, and they have the costumes and the music … it’s incredible what they can do. I sit there and my mouth drops open.”
DOG BREED TIPS
Indeed, each dog has a purpose and each dog serves a different purpose for each person. For Your K9 owner Nancy Reyes offers the following guidelines when it comes to finding the right dog for your unique situation.
Families with children: Beagles, Huskies, Golden Retrievers
Apartment dwellers: Pugs, King Charles Cavaliers, Basset Hounds
Senior citizens: Greyhounds, Rough Collies
People who tire of barking: Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Pugs
Tricia Despres is a local freelance writer.
