Pet Corner

by Cleo & Brad Conrad

Q My girlfriend’s dog recently passed away. She was very attached to him and is quite upset. I was thinking of getting her another dog. The one she had was a mixed breed, but I was wondering if you could recommend a breed which has a gentle temperament and would be a sort of "lap" dog. She and her pet were inseparable.

A Your intentions are good. However, we must caution you not to go out and get another pet unless she agrees. Sometimes, when an owner is grieving the loss of a companion, she needs time to heal before committing to another animal. Other people go out right away and get another pet. It’s really an individual thing.

We suggest you discuss this with your girlfriend first.

As for which breed, we’re not sure if she lives in an apartment or house, which would make a bit of a difference for us in terms of a recommendation. We can say, though, that you’d do better adopting a dog from a shelter.

For starters, you’ll be saving a dog’s life. Second, we find that dogs who are rescued are super-devoted and just grateful for a home. An added benefit is, most times, the dog is already housebroken and has had some obedience training.

In general, mixed breeds are healthier and live longer. That’s because they don’t usually suffer from genetic defects which are the result of so much in-breeding. For instance, basset hounds, dachshunds and corgis are prone to slipped discs because of the way they’re bred. Other breeds, such as Dalmatians, are prone to deafness.

If your heart is set on a purebred dog, you’ll find plenty of them in shelters. For gentleness and all-around family settings, we recommend beagles, cocker spaniels and labs (although they’re quite large). Although they’re cute and cuddly on TV, Jack Russell terriers can be a handful, especially around children. They’re high-strung and high-energy pups.

Whatever you decide on, a dog who’s loved, no matter what breed, will be an affectionate and wonderful pet.

(c) 2003 DBR Media, Inc.