5 Things to look for when buying a dog

A blog post on how to select dogs...

Deciding to get a dog is arguably a lot easier than choosing an actual breed. Are you suited to a small or a large dog? One that needs plenty of exercise? One that doesn’t mind being on its own during the day? One that is known to be great with kids?

As you can see, it can be really hard to choose a breed. However, it will pay dividends to spend some time researching various breeds before you get a dog. Choose the wrong breed for you and your family and you could have untold problems you wouldn’t have had with another breed entirely.

Here are some pointers to think about.

Should I buy a dog?

This really is the starting place on your journey to finding the best friend you'll ever have. Unfortunately, it's all too common for people to fall in love with the idea of having a dog without taking into consideration the time and commitment such a decision entails.

Keep in mind...

WILL I BE HOME ENOUGH?

Dogs are pack animals, and while some breeds need less attention than others, all dogs will need you to be around. This can affect your freedom to go out and do what you want to do. 

If your schedule prohibits you from spending a lot of time with your pet, then it might be best to look at getting an animal which doesn't require your attention quite as much.

A dog left on its own can suffer from serious detachment anxiety which will affect its mental and physical health.

CAN I COMMIT THE TIME?

Being a dog owner is incredibly rewarding, but in order to properly care for an animal, you must put adequate time aside to do so. Every dog will require daily walks. Some breeds will differ in how long those walks will need to be.

For example, a greyhound does not require a 2 hour walk every day, but a Collie might. Many of these walks will need to be first thing in the morning before work and in the evening as well.

This is a serious commitment of time and one which should not be underestimated. If you are dedicated, however, the reward of walking your pal every day is worth it.

What size dog is right for you?

This will be determined largely according to how big (or small) your home is. For example, a small or toy dog would be ideal for a small flat. You wouldn’t (hopefully) consider a huge dog that can barely turn around in a small room.

You also have to consider what type of dog you can manage. If you don’t have the strength to manage a large dog that might pull on its lead, a smaller breed would be much better.

How active a dog can you cope with?

It’s easy to think you will have all the time in the world to go on two one-hour dog walks every day. But can you really cope with this every single day, regardless of what else might be going on, or what time of the year it is?

Some breeds need a lot less exercise than others. This cannot be said for breeds such as border collies, Dalmatians and English springer spaniels though. Furthermore, don’t be fooled into thinking smaller breeds need less exercise. This isn’t necessarily the case.

Can you cope with regular grooming?

Some dogs need a lot more grooming than others. Take the charming Bichon Frise for example. While you can take them to a groomers regularly, you’ll still need to brush them and look for tangles and knots in their coat. If you don’t think you’ll have the time or patience to do some daily grooming, make sure you look for a breed that requires far less of it.

Can you afford the food your dog will eat?

This should be an obvious ‘yes’ if you are seriously considering getting a dog of any kind. However, some larger breeds will eat the same amount as several smaller dogs put together. This has a significant effect on the amount you’ll spend from week to week.

As you can see, it is imperative to do your homework before you go and select this very important member of your family. There is nothing more heart-breaking than realising you have got the wrong type of dog for your lifestyle, your home and your requirements. Choose correctly and you have a companion for life, so make sure you put a lot of work into this initial stage before you even start to think about bringing a dog home.

#doglove #Dog