Things you need to consider when getting that first dog

Sure, their cute. But are you ready for the responsibility? Not only that but does your lifestyle allow room for a dog? Review the information below and hopefully you will find that you are truly ready. Also, hopefully we can help direct you to the breed most suitable for your lifestyle.

 

As a starting point you will need to at least consider the following questions:

(1)    Do you have any children in your household? Do you ever have children as visitors? Are you planning to have children over the next 10 or so years?

If so, then you need to make sure that you choose a suitable dog that will be comfortable with children. This includes tolerating their boisterous play and teasing. It is important to educate your children teaching them how to respect and assist in the care of animals. Some breeds are more suitable around children than others. If this is a concern, then take a couple of minutes and take our Pet Picker Quiz^©. This will guide you to the breeds that are more suitable for children.

(2)    Can you afford a dog?

There are many costs that people fail to consider when deciding to get a dog. If you live in an apartment, you may have to pay additional rent for a pet along with a pet deposit, a portion of which is typically non-refundable. You will also need to keep their veterinary treatment (shots, vaccinations, etc.) up to date. Do you ever go on vacation? If so, do you have someone that can take care of your pets when you're away. If not, then you will need to consider the cost of kennels. These typically cost around $15-$20 per day per dog. In addition, most (if not all) kennels require special boarding shots that will add to the cost of the kennel stay. It is also important to give special consideration to the breed. Some breeds require considerable grooming and this can amount to significant costs. Our Pet Picker Quiz^© can direct you to those breeds that require little or significant grooming.

(3)    What about time?

Dogs provide great companionship. They are essentially family members. As a family member, they require the attention of other family members. Is anyone in your household home during the day to spend time with the dog. Dogs left alone for more than four hours a day may get bored and this could lead to antisocial behavior such as howling or scratching. In addition to time spent playing and socializing with your dog, you will also need to spend time walking them and giving them the exercise that they need. If you live an active lifestyle and you can find ways to incorporate your dog into this lifestyle, then perhaps you would be happiest with an active pet. However, if you lead more of a sedentary lifestyle and spend the vast majority of your personal time indoors, then you should consider a breed that requires less exercise. Again, our Pet Picker Quiz^© will direct you to those breeds that are suitable for you in relation to exercise and activity needs.

(4)    How about the noise?

If you are looking for a dog that will partially serve as a watchdog, alerting you of possible intruders, then you should consider a breed that is more prone to barking. If this is not something you are looking for, or perhaps you live in an apartment and noise isn't tolerated, then you should consider a breed that is less prone to barking. The Pet Picker Quiz^© will help you sort through the breeds that are more subsceptible to barking.

(5)    How much space do you have?

The size of dog you are interested in should be compriable to the surroundings. If you live in a small apartment, you should seriously consider sticking with a smaller dog. If you have a huge fenced-in backyard and you would like an outdoor dog, then perhaps a larger breed would be well suited.