Choosing a dog, choosing the RIGHT dog is a very personal journey. Potential dog owners all have different selection criteria - lifestyle, energy level, training ability, children (or not), yard (or not), tiny flat or massive mansion. But whatever you have in mind and whatever you have to offer, there is probably a dog out there that will suit you to a "T".
1) Analyze Your Circumstances
First of all, you need to take a hard look at your lifestyle. The most important considerations are:
- Whether you have children and how old they are.
- How much time you have every day to spend with a dog.
- Your energy level.
- Whether you have a fenced yard.
- Whether you or your family may suffer from allergies.
- How much disposable income you have to spend on a dog.
You also need to examine why you want a dog. For company, for protection, because you want to safe a life, or because you enjoyed the last dog-centric Hollywood blockbuster, because the children have been nagging you, or because your best friend has one?
2) The Right Stuff
Once you've decided what you need, what you want and what you have to work with, it's time to narrow down your choices. Some general things to consider:
- Whirlwind or Couch Potato?
This is perhaps the most important consideration - if you want to spend your time watching TV rather than hiking, you need a laid-back dog. If you want a jogging partner, to help you train for a marathon you need a high-energy dog.
- Big or Small?
Smaller dogs aren't necessarily "easier" than large dogs - both require exercise and training, and many large dogs don't eat as much as you might think. Larger dogs are generally better with children than tiny dogs, but a large energetic dog may knock over a toddler (or senior citizen).
- Fur-ball or Skinhead?
Long-haired dogs require brushing, but short-coated dogs seem to shed as much if not more - and brushing doesn't always help keep the mess to a minimum. A clean long-haired dog can actually be less work than a messy short-haired dog.
- Purebred or Mutt?
My vote is always for the mutt, but if you need a dog with specific characteristics (low-dander or show dog) you may want to go for a particular breed. Even if you want a purebred dog, you can still chose a rescue from a shelter or from a breed rescue group.
- Puppy or Adult?
There's no doubt about it - puppies are great! However, puppies are a lot of work and will take much more time and effort - and cost more too, in initial outlay and in vaccinations and neutering. An older dog may come with behavioral baggage (don't assume they are house-trained and past naughtiness), but then again, many older dogs are available for adoption simply because they were surplus to someone's requirements.
- Shelter or Breeder or Pet Store?
There are pros and cons to all three, but which ever way you decide to go, make sure they'll provide after-adoption support, temperament-testing and health-checks, that puppies are well-bred and properly socialized or that they have a decent amount of history on older dogs.
If you opt for a pet store, make sure they DO NOT obtain their animals from puppy mills. Puppy mills inhumanely mass-produce inferior dogs with more health and behavior problems than even an experienced dog owner would care to cope with! Realize too that registration does not necessarily guarantee a good puppy!
- One or Two?
Dogs need their people, but 99% of them need the company of other dogs too. It's just like having friends who share similar interests. If you have the time and the space, adopting two dogs, especially two older dogs who were surrendered or abandoned together, is a wonderful thing to do.
3) Do Your Research
Having narrowed down your search parameters, do some research. Look into the various breeds that meet your requirements, talk to breeders and rescue groups, talk to other owners - talk to your vet too. Join an on-line forum for your breed of choice and for dogs in general.
You also need to research the cost - shots, insurance, licenses, spay/neuter, food, toys, bedding, replacing chewed slippers, leashes, training, grooming, cleaning supplies, crate - the list is almost endless. Factor in a few trips to the vet for emergencies and the odd sniffle or bout of diarrhea too.
4) Step Back and Take a Deep Breath
Before you make the final commitment to bring a dog home, make sure that this is what you really want. By adopting a dog, any dog, you are committing yourself to care for them for years - in the case of a small dog it could be 15 years or more! Spend the day with a pretend dog - going for a walk every morning before work, cleaning up imaginary puddles and piles, getting up at three in the morning to let your "dog" out.
One you find the "right" dog, take a day or two before you commit to taking them home. Impulse purchases account for too many of the dogs languishing in shelters and on death row, all across the world.
Are you still sure you are making the right choice? Then write the check and start buying the dog toys - the hard work and the joy is about to begin!
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