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You can usually tell if your dog is feeling a bit under the weather, they may seem a little lethargic or put off their food, but there are a few preventative measures you can take to help to keep your pooch as happy as possible.

Grooming your pet with a brush may seem something that only pedigree owners do at crufts, however brushing your dog regularly can help keep his cote free from knots and bugs if the comb is fine enough.

Check the nose for discoloration and scabbing as this could be a warning sign, a healthy nose however does not need to be cold or wet for it to be healthy, if in doubt its always best to seek professional advice from a vet.

The police breed, live with and look after their own dogs. They do this as the dogs can help them arrest criminals, hunt for criminals and to help sniff out drugs or other illegal substances. Just like police, the police dogs main aim is to enforce public law and order, however other aims include; search and rescue dogs and detection dogs.

The type of dogs that are trained to be police dogs are usually more aggressive types of dog, and they include; Alsations, Rottweilers, Boxers ,American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Dutch Shepards and even Beagles (used in airports).

Guard dogs are bred to guard against, look after/watch out for unexpected people or animals. Guard dogs can be bred by an official dog breeder for families, or they can be bred by rival gangs. Families usually have guard dogs if they have bought a new house, or have started a new family as a means of defence, as well as an extra member to the family. Gangs train and breed dogs unofficially to prevent rival gangs from entering their territory or to use as a weapon against other gangs. The types of dogs which are usually guard dogs include Rottweilers and Alsations.

So, you’re considering getting a new dog, but there are literally thousands to choose from. How do you know which one would be right for you and your family? If you bear the following aspects in mind, you should be able to get a loyal bundle of fun just in time for Christmas.

Breed
There are over 200 recognised dog breeds, and a countless number of mixed and cross-breed varieties to choose from. You can choose a pedigree dog or a unique mixed breed.

The main benefit of getting a pedigree dog is that you can be sure what you’re getting, in terms of size, character, susceptibility to illness, coat colour, length and texture, and energy level. However, with mixed or cross-breed dogs, you never know which genetic personality elements will come out as the strongest, because you can’t be sure of the dog’s parentage. Some owners see this as an advantage, because they get to own a dog which is one of a kind.

Age
You need to decide whether you want a puppy or an adult dog. Getting a very young dog will mean that you can train it to behave exactly the way you would like, but you need to make sure you have a lot of time and energy to spare in order to achieve this.

An older dog will already be trained and socialised, but can often come with bad habits or emotional baggage.

Gender
Do you want a male or a female dog? Males are said to be more confident, whereas some people believe that females are more independent. In both cases, neutering can make your dog easier to cope with.

Where to get your dog from
If you want a pedigree or cross-breed dog, you should definitely go to a reputable breeder to obtain one. For mixed breed dogs however, the best place to go is a re-homing organisation. Getting your new dog from an animal welfare centre or rescue centre can be extremely rewarding, because you know that you are providing an unwanted or abused dog with a new, loving home.