wht r theings needed to be considered before buying a pet dog????

Question

i am thinking of buying a new pet .. bt am confused on wht the things needed to be considered??

Answer 1

I would consider trying to find one at the shelter first. So many of them are good dogs, just waiting for a good home! :)
You must have some idea of what you want--if not, research a few different dogs to narrow it down. Pick out the size of the dog you want. Consider if you want a lap dog or a large one. How much exercise it will need is important too--the larger the dog, the more exercise it needs. If you have allergies, you may want to try a breed such as a poodle (they come in 3 sizes). Hmmm, I know I didn't want a dog that shed, you'll need to decide that too. A mixed breed (mutt) is good if you want mixed traits and sometimes they don't have the health (problems) a pure-bred dog may have. Expense too is something to be decided. Pure-breds usually cost more, as do larger breeds--larger breeds require more food, bigger amounts of medicine if sick, etc. You'll probably also want to consider grooming requirements. Some dogs require frequent brushings/groomings and that can be time consuming and expensive. For example, professional grooming for my miniature schnauzer is $40 every 3 months. Also, if you rent, will your landlord allow a dog? The same goes for condo owners--some places only allow small dogs. If you're gone a few hours at a time, a puppy might bark or howl. An older dog may be calmer if left for a while during the day. I woulndn't leave any dog too long though. Here are a couple links for you:
http://www.petfinder.com/ for pets available in shelters.
http://www.puppyfind.com/ for specific breeds.
Both sites have breed specific info.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

- If you will choose purebred or mixed breed
- If purebred, which breed? Think about:
- How big your house is
- How much land/yard you have
- How much time you can spend walking him
- How much time you can spend brushing/grooming him
- How much food you will have to buy
- If you rent, are there breed restrictions?
- Lifespan: a dog can live for 20 years, will you still want a dog in 20 years?

- Do you want to try and train a puppy (which is much like raising a small child) or adopt an adult dog who is already trained?

- Do you have children? Small children and small dogs don't mix well.

- How often are you home? If you work all day 5 days a week and the dog will be left home alone, you shouldn't get one.

- Can you afford vet bills? Grooming? Food? Doggie daycare or boarding, if needed? Do you have a reliable pet sitter in an emergency? Dogs can cost thousands of dollars a year in supplies and services. Most people look at the purchase price of a puppy, or the adoption fee of a shelter dog, and think that that is all the money they'll ever spend on this animal. In reality, what you pay FOR the dog is the least amount of money you'll ever spend on him.

Good luck in your search!

Answer 3

do you have the time and finances to make a lifelong commitment to this pet. call vets in your area and ask about prices for rabies,dhlppc,lyme vaccines and heartworm tests and the preventive meds that go with it. Ask about the costs for spay and neuter and boarding charges. A puppy until about the age of one is much like having a toddler in the house. Do you have that kind of patience? When you come home from a long day the dog won't care....it will still need a lot of exercise,time and attention. Dogs need exercise not just walks when it 100 degrees in the summer and 40 below in the winter. They don't care if it's been raining for three days in a row either. Do you have children now or plan to have them in the next 12 to 15 years because you will still have the dog to deal with....do you have the time and can you be consistant with the training required to have a well behaved dog. THey are wonderful additions to the family if you fully realize what you are getting yourself into and know that they are going to require work on your part every single day. I commend you on thinking it thru before rushing out to buy a cute little puppy.

Answer 4

you need to do your homework about the type of dog you want. are you getting a purebred or a mutt??? also, take a look at your lifestyle to see what kind of dog suites you. For instance....if you are very active a basset hound probably isn't for you, and if you don't want to always have your dog on a leash and huskey isn't your best option. there alot of great breed books to look through to get a general idea what kind of dog you want. once you pick your dog do your homework on the breed......DEFFINATLY do your homework on BREEDERS!!! DO NOT buy from a puppy mill or pet store.....find an established breeder...... the reason behind this is because puppy mills often inbreed and the dogs are VERY prone to deseases and abnormalities. In pet stores, you don't know the lineage behind the animal and may get a sick or diseased dog.
please concider adopting from a shelter though, there are many dogs that need homes and many unwanted puppy's are cast aside daily and need loving families. Check with your local humaine society....(this is also a cheeper way to go, as pure breds can be very pricey)
the BEST book to read on dog training is called How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, by the Monks of New Skete. It is beneficial that you read a few books on dog training BEFORE you get your dog (so you have an idea of what you're getting into) and always have a training guide on hand to reference with your puppy.
Remember, a puppy is a full time commitment, they are just like children and need lots of love, (positively inforced)dicipline, and attention.......they will grow up to be your best friend. All the aggrivation and headaches they cause you are so worth it!!!! it's important to be patient and concistent. Good luck and have fun!!!!

Answer 5

First-what is your home like-do you walk tons and love to be out or do you veg and drive everywhere. Second-what do you expect to get from your pet-still and lovey or high drive to play/work. If you go to the akc site and look at breeds you can get a feel for what the typical dog of the breed will be like-no promises but a good guide. Then once you look at what you expect and what your true energy level is, narrow down to a few breeds. Then you can think about things like coat care (do you want to get a dog that needs grooming lots or once in a while), training, etc. Also think about costs-vet trips, spay, flea treatment, haertworm pills, food, toys-bigger dogs cost more. Most breeds now have breed rescue groups that can help you make an informed choice-take their advise if they feel a breed won't fit your lifestyle they know what they are talking about. The AKC site will link you to breeders, breed groups (a wonderful source of info), and rescues. Good Luck!

Answer 6

You need to consider lots of things...

Can you afford to purchase, vaccinate, feed the dog?
Do you have the money for an emergency situation?
Do you have enough time to take care of the dog?
Do you have enough space for the breed you are getting?
Do you have the time and patience to train a puppy?
Do you live somewhere that allows dogs/has restrictions?
Do you have other pets that would get along with a dog?
Do you have others in your household/do they agree with getting a dog?
Do you want to adopt a dog or buy from a breeder?
Do you want a purebred or do you want a mutt?

Once you have decided whether or not a dog is right for you at this current time in your life, you have to figure out what kind to get. Do lots of research, and figure out what breed would fit your situation well, as well as whether or not you want to get a puppy or an older dog. Good luck.

Answer 7

First off, instead of "buying" a dog. You should adopt one from your local shelter or humane society. A lot of dogs are from puppy mills that churn them out like they were disposable. Second, dogs require more time than people realize. Unless you have a yard for the dog, you will have to walk it several times a day unless you don't mind a mine field when you come home. Third, a dog is pretty much dependent on you to care for it (food, water, companionship). You will need a sitter/kenel for the dog if you take a trip. My neighbor's dogs always bark and howl when they are not at home. That is another consideration. But if you have lots of time to spend with the dog and have a nice yard for him to play in, then go for it. If you go for a cat, they are more independent and do not require as much attention. When I had to go out of town for a week, here is what I did:

TV on
All doors propped open
bathroom/kitchen sink running just a little into a bowl
toilet closed
1 gallon self feeder fulll of food
1 gallon self waterer full
clean litter box with extra litter
additional litter box with litter

I came back and the cat was fatter than ever. You couldn't do that with a dog.

Answer 8

Time you have to devote to proper care and training of the pet. Space in your home and your living environment. Having a pet in the home needs to be decided on by all who will be in contact with it. You need to be able to afford all vet costs as well as some unexpected vet costs. High quality food,toys,bedding,crate....these are just some of the expenses you will encounter as a pet owner. Do you currently have a fenced yard? Does your locality require leashes and licensing? Does your lifestyle leave room for caring properly for a pet? What breed will work best for you and your families lifestyle and living conditions?

Answer 9

Look into the breed of the dog first. Do they need lots of excersise, can they handle the weather in the area you live, does that breed do well with other pets, check the diet and problem areas for the certain dog. And mostly make sure you have the time to walk it and spend time with it or you and he will be unhappy.

Answer 10

Don't underestimate the cost of owning a dog. It can cost hundreds a year in food, supplies, vet bills, license & shots, etc. And don't underestimate the amount of time you'll need to invest in training and socializing him or her. I highly recommend you adopt a dog from the pound, they are always so much more appreciative of their new owners. And stay away from the mall pet stores, PLEASE, because they usually get their dogs from puppy mills. So shopping the mall petshops supports and enables inhumane treatment of animals.