WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A DOG

Size
Consider where you live and where the dog will stay. Large dogs need plenty room to move around in and exercise. Smaller breeds are more advisable for those who stay in small areas like apartments and condos. Consider your physical strength as well. Will you be able to handle a large breed? Think of the puppy as an adult and consider how big it will be when it’s full grown.

Coat Type
How much time can you spend grooming a dog? Dogs with long and thick coats will need a lot more time grooming than their short coat counterparts. Wash-and-wear coats require less grooming time and could later on be less expensive to maintain. Dogs with very long coats may be very nice to look at but could be very expensive to maintain.

Temperament
Each dog breed has its own set of characteristics. Some like to dig, some like to sniff, some are very protective, some are extremely playful, some are high-strung and some are quite laid back. Make sure you read on the type of breed you are planning to get before you actually buy a dog. Know what you’re getting yourself into.

Time
How much time do you really have? How much time are you planning to spend with your new dog? If someone is home the whole day, this may not be too much of a problem, but if you plan on taking care of the dog on your own, this is very important to consider. Dogs can get quite lonely and some may suffer from separation anxiety of left alone all the time. Some dogs require more exercise than others. Some are easier to train than others. So ask yourself, “Do I really have enough free time to train, socialize and care for this dog?”

Age
Think of whether you want to get a puppy or an adult dog. Bear in mind that taking care of a puppy will take a greater amount of patience and time. Some prefer to get adult dogs because they have been trained already and can make great companions.

Expenses
Dogs are not pieces of furniture you can just buy and leave anywhere. Once you buy a dog, you will surely incur more expenses. Make sure you are prepared to allot additional budget for their registration, food, grooming, and medical expenses. Of course, larger breeds or high-maintenance breeds would require more budget than others.

This article is written by Moonlight Kennel © 2005

CLOSE THIS WINDOW