Finding the Right Dog - Part 2

Last month we talked about the decision to add another member to your family, and some of the things to consider before doing so. So you've decided you can indeed offer a stable home, but what are some of the draw backs to life with dogs that all owners-to-be need to know about?

Living in Paradise. Or Not.

What less pleasant aspects of dog ownership are you willing to embrace? Giant fur tumbleweeds? Barking? What about a dog that drools puddles or has a heavy odor? Do you mind cleaning up large “deposits” made by your dog to your yard or your neighbor’s while walking? Are you willing and able to have your dog groomed on a regular basis? While dogs can be trained to bark less and you can brush your dog to mitigate tumbleweeds, don’t get one known for blowing coat biannually or for its loquacious ways if those traits will drive you crazy. Research your breed, and be aware of its quirks and needs.

Your Best Friend: A Work in Progress

 Do you have the time to adequately socialize, train and exercise a dog? All puppies, to be well socialized, should meet many, many new people each week of all different ages, shapes and sizes prior to the age of 12 weeks He will also need to meet as many new dogs, both adults and his own age, as possible while he is very young in order to learn proper canine etiquette. There is house training, crate training and basic manners to consider.

 And then there’s exercise. While all dogs need a minimum 30 minutes of pulse raising exercise daily, some require much more than this. It is also much easier to get your dog the stimulation he needs if you challenge his mind on a daily basis and provide him with an enriched environment as well. Physical exercise will in the end only create better stamina if you do not exercise the brain too. Be sure to look into your chosen breed’s original purpose; this will tell you a lot about the physical and mental needs of the dog. Some were meant to act as companions to royalty while others were expected to work in rough terrain all day, every day.

The Money Pit

 Dogs cost money. The initial output, if you are purchasing a puppy, is usually small compared to the lifetime cost of a dog. They require regular veterinary care, training classes, food, toys, consumable chews, and often grooming. It is also a good idea to have an emergency fund in case your dog is unexpectedly injured or becomes ill. Many people find pet insurance to be helpful.

 According to a survey done by the AKC, the average cost for a pet dog is about $2,500 annually. Multiply that times 14, and add the average one-time expenses most dog owners experience and that comes to about $37,000. And this is regardless of whether the dog was a “free puppy” from the news paper or a well bred dog from show lines. The survey was not scientifically conducted, but even cut in half the cost is significant.

 Be aware that it can be difficult to find apartment and home rentals with dogs, even more so with certain breeds. Many rental units do not accept dogs, dogs over a certain weight or dogs of certain breeds; be sure to look into this and check with your landlord. If your living arrangements are not stable, how will you ensure your pet stays with you should you need to move? Be aware that one of the most common reasons given for relinquishment is that the owners “had to move and cannot take the dog”. According to a study by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy and published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, this is the number one reason dogs are abandoned by their owners. This is no fault of the dog’s and is truly a sad story.

May or December?

 Are you ready for a puppy or is an adult dog the right answer for you? There are positive aspects to both.

 While it is true that adult dogs can come with less than stellar previous life experiences, you can also avoid many of the problems people run into with pups. With an adult dog, what you see is what you get physically. You can see right before your eyes the ultimate size and coat the dog will have. A good rescue with a well developed foster program will be able to tell you if your prospective dog is socialized to a variety of people, places and things, whether or not she gets along with dogs or other pets and any training or exercise requirements the dog may have. Many adult dogs are obedience and house trained, though when they move to a new place a quick refresher course may be necessary. A responsible rescue will also make certain that your new pet has been altered and received veterinary attention prior to adoption. This is a load off of a new pet owner’s mind.

 Puppies are certainly adorable, but they do require a lot of work as previously mentioned. However, if you purchase a dog from a responsible breeder you have a built-in support system. Your breeder will be able to help answer any questions you may have about the breed in general, as well as assist you in selecting the puppy if not actually select the one that is the best fit for your stated needs. By choosing a responsible breeder you will have stacked the deck in your favor of having a best buddy that lives the longest, healthiest life that he can. You will also have someone that, if the need should arise, will take the dog back at any time in its life for any reason. One hopes that it will never be necessary, but should it be a good breeder will be there to help.

 Dogs add so much to our lives. We truly owe it to them to think long and hard about whether or not we are prepared for a dog and if so, finding the one that best fits into our lives. But when you do find "the one" (or "the ones") it's one of the best partnerships a person could ask to have.