Do Your Research!

Owning a dog can be one of life’s greatest joys but it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.  There are many responsibilities and commitments involved.  Before you buy, or better yet adopt, you should educate yourself so that you make the best decision for yourself, your family and your new dog!

First, you need to evaluate your current lifestyle by asking yourself the following questions:

      1.  Is your home large enough to accommodate a dog?  If you are renting, will your landlord allow pets and how long do you intend to reside at your current location (looking for a new rental with a dog can be difficult and require a higher deposit)?

      2.  Do you have enough free time to provide your dog with the attention it needs? (More than 8 hours alone is not advisable for most dogs.)  

      3.  Depending on the size of dog, will you be able to provide him with adequate exercise (at least an hour a day)?

      4.  Will other members of your family be comfortable with a dog?  Is anyone allergic to dogs?

      5.  Are you willing to provide a permanent home, medical care and proper feeding/ nutrition for the duration of the dog’s life? Dogs are lifelong commitments!  

      6.  Are you able to financially afford an annual check-up, spay/ neuter, vaccines, flea treatments, emergency room visits, quality pet food and other pet supplies?  A puppy alone can cost $650-$1,100 in his first year alone.  Routine maintenance for an adult dog costs about anywhere from $200-500 annually. 
 
      7.  Are you willing to handle the “normal” frustrations that come with having a dog (i.e. barking, chewing, house-training, shedding, “accidents in the home”,  etc?).  No pet is perfect!

      8.  Are you willing to spend time and money on a dog that needs special obedience training and socializing?

Select the right size and breed of dog. DO NOT select a dog purely on looks!  Do you want a dog to play with your children?  If you don’t have kids now, do you plan on children in the near future?  Do you want a lap dog? Or a dog for jogging, hunting and/ or protection?  Consider your expectations of your dog when selecting the right companion.  What size will be appropriate?  Some small dogs are not good with children, can get underfoot easily so they may not be appropriate for a busy household however, they can be ideal for the elderly or someone who is looking for a lap dog or someone who lives in an apartment and doesn’t have space for a larger dog.  While a large breed dog may not be ideal for the elderly (who are weak, unable to control or exercise) or in apartment type quarters, they tend to fare better with children.

 You may find it most helpful to research different breeds on-line, ask friends or relatives who own a particular breed that you are interested in, or make an appointment with a veterinarian.  Certain breeds have very unique qualities such as their behavior, temperament, physical activity, grooming requirements and life span.  Certain breeds can also be susceptible to various genetic disorders that may or may be  tested for- consult your veterinarian!

 While most dogs that are available for adoption at local shelters are not purebreds but a mix of several different types, they generally have been given a breed “type” and evaluated for their disposition.  These mixed breeds tend to not develop the medical problems that are common to their parenting breeds.  You can also look for particular breed rescue groups that may have puppies and adult dogs that are ready for adoption.

 The Right Age for Your New Dog.  While a puppy may be adorable to look at and cuddle, it is very much like raising a young child!  You are given the opportunity to shape this dog’s life and watch it grow but along with it comes many sleepless nights of “potty” training, vaccinations, spay/ neuter, obedience training,  house training, chewing problems, etc.  You must be prepared for the extra work, effort and patience during the first 6 months!

 Adopting an adult dog may give you the opportunity to bypass the stages of puppyhood.  Often adult dogs have already been spayed/neutered, potty trained and may or may not had some type of obedience training.  It is possible, however, that an adult dog will come with “baggage” from his previous home that may have been abusive or neglected.  It is important to remember that any dog will need to acclimate to his new environment with his new family which may take a few weeks and you can expect for some “accidents” to occur.