Owning a dog can be a rewarding experience. Dogs offer us companionship and lifelong friendship, as well as endless entertainment with their antics. Owning a dog is a serious responsibility and you should think about it thoroughly before you bring a pooch into your home.One of the first things to consider is what age of a dog you feel comfortable with bringing home. Will you have the time to house break a young puppy? If you would rather not deal with that aspect of dog training, perhaps you should consider adopting an older dog. There are plenty of older dogs to be found at your local humane society or animal shelter. These dogs range in age and breed, and you can often find a perfect companion there. A benefit to buying a young puppy is that you will have trained it from the start and will be familiar with its personality as it grows into adulthood.
Will you have enough time to devote to a dog? This is an important consideration for you to make. Dogs need love and attention just like humans, and it is not fair to bring one into your home only to never be there with it. Same thing if you keep it in a crate all the time even if you are home. Your dog will want to be with you and will want to play with you. It is a very rewarding thing to spend time romping in the yard with your pooch or engaging in a game of fetch. If you have the time for it, a dog will provide you undivided love and devotion.
You should also think about what kind of qualities you want in a dog. Dogs come in all shapes, sizes and temperaments, and there is one to suit virtually any person. Also think about the size of your living space. Some small dogs are perfect for apartment living, although you should be considerate of your neighbors and not get one that barks a lot. If you have a large house and yard, you may want a large breed as you can provide with ample space to run around. Do you want a guard dog? A friendly family dog? A lap dog? A dog that will go on jogs with you? Make a list of qualities you are looking for, and do your research.
What is your financial situation? A dog does not generally require a lot of financial expenditures, but you will need to spend some money on it. Dogs need a yearly physical exam at a veterinarian that includes vaccinations and heartworm protection. You will almost always pay a fee for buying or adopting a dog, so consider you budget for that as well. Breeders will charge more for a pure bred with a good pedigree than what you can adopt a dog for at the humane society. You will also need to buy dog food, toys, a collar and leash, and treats. Some owners also like to have a crate on hand and a dog bed. You can spend as little or as much as you want on accessories for your pet.
Do you want a pure bred or a mixed breed? Pure breeds will cost more money at the outset, especially if you get one with champion bloodlines. The advantage to that is the dog will have excellent genes and should be the picture of health. Some pure breeds will come from breeders who are not so careful with their breeding and will have genetic abnormalities. This will cost more in vet bills down the lines. Mixed breeds are almost always less expensive, and generally are healthier as their bloodlines and genes are mixed. You usually get the best of the different breeds that went into the make up. Both pure breeds and mixed breeds make excellent pets.
Owning a dog is a commitment, but the benefits far outweigh the responsibilities. Dogs are wonderful companions; they love you unconditionally and will be a lifelong friend. All they ask of you is to open your heart and home and let them come in. You will not regret it.
