What to Consider Before You Bring Home a Dog

Everyone dreams of buying a cute, little puppy. They're stars on Broadway and in movies. They fill every children's television program. At one time or another, everyone will consider bringing home a canine friend; however, not every household is suited to own a dog. Before making this decision, there are many factors to consider and tasks to complete.

Be sure that you can handle the many responsibilities that come with having a dog. Every dog requires attention. Even the most lazy, boring dog will require care each and every day. If you plan to keep your dog in the yard all day long, do not even consider buying one. Dogs are creatures that experience many, if not all, of the emotions we do. Therefore, a dog will need a comfortable place to spend the day, and at least an hour of attention daily, not including walks. Every dog needs at least one walk per day; energetic breeds may need up to three-if you do not provide this necessary exercise, your dog may start to exhibit undesirable behavior such as chewing.

Be aware that having a dog can have a major impact on your budget. Everything from collars to vet bills to food will cost money, much more so than with other types of pets. You'd be surprised at how much a large breed consumes daily; therefore, plan ahead and be sure that you will be able to support a dog for many years to come.

Plan ahead, up to fifteen years into the future. Where will you be in ten or fifteen years? Will you be able to walk and take care of a dog? Will you be living in a housing situation that allows pets? These are all factors to consider when purchasing a dog. Too many dogs end up in shelters because their owners failed to plan into the future-you do not want to help this trend.

Do your homework. One of the most common mistakes people make is to choose the first "cute" puppy they see, without having done any research. It is extremely important that you consider every aspect of your current situation-from physical abilities to time availability-when deciding on a breed. For example, an energetic young Labrador Retriever who requires two long walks daily is not the correct dog for an someone who ahs trouble walking or spends the entire day at work. Is your chosen breed good with children? Are they known to be stubborn? Consider every possible problem that may arise with the breed you choose-if these are high in number, choose another breed.

Find a reputable breeder. Interview any possible breeders about their practices and approach to breeding. If anything sounds fishy or he/she seems to be hiding something, look elsewhere. Puppies from "puppy mills" and the like can have serious illnesses and behavioral defects because they are not socialized; moreover, supporting these businesses allows them to continue to abuse the animals' welfare. Most importantly, never buy from a pet store. These puppies usually come from puppy mills and are not treated well at the store.

Canines provide innumerable amounts of joy to their human companions; though they require work and commitment, most people find that dogs enrich their lives greatly. If you do everything in your power to ensure that you'll be able to handle your chosen dog, everything will likely go well. Canines have always been known as "man's best friend", a very appropriate term for a wonderful species.