Buying a dog means opening up your home to a very special housemate - and one who’s (hopefully) going to be with you for many years to come! So is this the right time? Bringing a dog into a loving home is a big commitment, whether they're a puppy or an adult dog, so you need to be ready for your four-legged friend.
Just as important - are you looking at the right breed of dog for you? Are you looking at a rescue or picking up a pedigree puppy from a breeder? There's probably lots of questions going through your head, and you've surely ready stories about assured breeders and bad breeders.
To help you on your buying a puppy/dog journey, here are some key questions to help you make up your mind…
Think About Your Life Now and in the Future
You’ve got the enthusiasm, you’ve got the time - and you can’t wait for the adventures to begin. Right now seems like the perfect time for bringing a dog on board.
But what about work - do you have the time to train your puppy and give it the time it needs to live its best life? Or that New Year’s resolution to do more travelling? With career changes, weddings, house moves, the arrival of kids and all the rest of it, circumstances can shift quickly and with a puppy at home their welfare needs to be accounted for.
It’s not unusual for dogs to live 15 years or more. And although you never quite know what’s around the corner, it’s always worth thinking about your dog and including how things might look in the future. A dog might be perfect for now; but try and think about whether that’s likely to still be the case in the years to come. Will you still have the time, energy, space and money that caring for a dog requires?
Is Everyone On Board to Buy a Dog?
If you’re not the only one taking on the responsibility of owning a dog, the last thing you need is a constant daily battle over who’s turn it is for dog walking. So even if your other half or kids seem super keen on getting a dog, make sure they (and you) fully understand what’s going to be expected of them (this is especially important for exercise, grooming and house cleaning).
Also, what will your landlord or neighbours think about your new arrival? If it’s a flat or any type of leasehold property, make sure you check the rules on pet ownership before you jump in.
Have You Got the Time to Devote to a New Dog?
All dogs need lots of TLC - and some more than others. If you’re getting a pup, you or another member of the family will need to put the time in for socialisation and habituation, especially during those first 6 months. Even when adopting an older dog, you’ll still need to be on hand to help get them used to their new environment. Tip: you can read more about this in our guide.
Things like the school run and a long commute can make it tough to give an active dog all the exercise they need. Daily coat brushing, routine vet visits and trips to the grooming parlour: the time needed for all of these can soon add up!
A dog left to its own devices for too long can get restless and up to mischief; sometimes resulting in anti-social behaviour. Lap dogs and many companion breeds can be perfect if there’s usually someone around to keep them company, while working owners might be better off with some of the less needy breeds. Separation anxiety for dogs is real, and something you'll have to work through.
Do You Have the Space for a Dog?
Many dogs can and will adapt to life in even the most cosiest of homes.
That said, if there isn’t a garden to run around in to burn up excess energy, it becomes even more important to put in the time for exercise. A dog that doesn’t burn up that excess energy can be a handful, even for the experienced dog owner.
And if they don’t get much exercise, they can become overweight which can lead to health problems.
What Makes An Ideal Dog?
Exercising a toy bulldog can be more of a gentle waddle than a power walk: fine for many of us, but maybe a bit disappointing if you’re committed to putting a dent in your daily step count target.
Whether your ideal doggy date is a long run at the beach or just pottering around the flat, there’s a canine out there who’s into what you’re into. That’s why it’s so useful to research breed traits before choosing a dog breed.
It gives you a heads up on what to expect for things like temperament and activity levels for finding the right dog to suit your lifestyle.
Will Your Pets and Children Get on with a New Dog?
For some dogs, you’re absolutely the centre of their world. They’ll follow you anywhere - but don’t take kindly to other pets in the home who may be fighting for your attention.
Other dogs were bred originally to work as part of a team. As far as they’re concerned, the more the merrier when it comes to other animals in the home. So again, if there’s a dog or cat at home already, it’s worth checking breed traits before introducing a new crew member.
No dog is a plaything and although many breeds love to be around children, they must be taught from a young age about respecting a dog’s space. If there are children in the home, it’s worth focusing on dogs that are smart, playful, confident but not aggressive and with a low prey drive.
Can You Cope with the Extra Cleaning?
A Labrador or Lab-cross can make the perfect family pet, but these guys are prolific shedders! By contrast, the likes of a West Highland Terrier and most Poodle varieties tend to leave a lot less hair on the sofa and carpet.
Many dogs will quite happily chew away at your furniture given half a chance; something that you can help overcome through positive reinforcement training. But the truth is, any dog will leave its pawprint on your home in some way - so make sure you’re ready for this beforehand!
Can You Afford a Dog?
So not only are those pups gorgeous, it turns out they’re also “free to a good home”. Don’t allow yourself to be taken in by this. The initial purchase price is only a tiny part of the overall cost of dog ownership; in reality, no dog comes for free.
Buying from a responsible, good breeder or established rehoming centre makes sense in the long run. Those bought from bad breeder may have costly health issues as the breeding dogs may not have had health screening tests for various breed-related conditions.
Thankfully the Government is cracking down on the bad breeder and puppy farms. As a responsible buyer, you should think about where you’re getting your dog from, if the dog has been stolen or if they’re an unscrupulous breeder. If you have a doubt, they can be reported.
Costs build up quickly; food, toys, treats, training classes, routine veterinary treatment (flea, worming, vaccinations), health tests, dog walking, kennelling costs when you go on holiday, the list goes on!
Everypaw Dog Insurance
While it’s possible to do the sums on predictable things like food and dog walking fees, don’t rule out the possibility of steep, unexpected expenses; especially if your buddy needs specialist veterinary treatment.
This is why pet insurance can be so useful; making it easier to access the right treatment when you need it, while reducing the chances of being hit with a huge vet bill.
Everypaw's Dog Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pup will be well looked after.