Firstly, Happy New Year everybody! LOL - its day one of 2007 and I am busy focusing on what I am going to be doing this year

I am planning on getting the Canon 400D (XTi) and have been researching all about lenses and just getting more an more confused.

Before Christmas I stopped in at a pretty well respected camera shop and was told that the 400D which comes with a twin lens kit (18-55mm plus a 75-300mm Lens) would be suitable for my needs (pet portraits, mostly dogs, generally outdoors with a preference for close-ups and eventually dogs sports as well).

After researching it a bit, there seems to be people who are negative towards the lense kits, but the more I research the more I find other people who say they are great to start with and not to get additional lenses until you work out what you actually need according to what you shoot.

I've read through many of the posts here and see that there is quite a variety of lenses being used (and I am sure in time that I will add compulsively to my lense collection;) but it makes it all just a bit too confusing!

So the logical thing seems to be - ask the pet photography experts:) What would you consider the essential lenses to start with for pet photography? And then what would be the next essential ones to add to my collection?

I am quite happy to go for third party lenses rather than Canon ones if they are equivelent/better/lower prices...I don't want to buy too cheap if I will regret it, but I don't have unlimited funds either (if I did the question would be redundant!).

So advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Michelle