· What questions should you consider before choosing a dog?

Answer 1

1. Have I found the right breed to fit into my lifestyle and home?

2. Will you have enough time to spend training, grooming and exercising a dog?

3. Am I willing to spend the resources to ensure the best future for a dog?

Answer 2

Think of your personality and try to find a dog with a similar one, Try to think how much energy you have and get a dog that matches this.Do you have any allergies or any in your family. You may need to consider a breed that is not hard on you here.Consider how much maintenance the dog will have to have and figure if you can afford it. Consider how much room a dog needs to be healthy and happy and consider if you have the room. Think about what kind of noise the dog makes and ask yourself if you live where this can be tolerated. Some dogs like to howl and many close neighbors will not listen to this. Consider also if you are ready and willing to spend the next 10 or 15 years taking care of this dog. Some will live longer then that.I mean, time wise, and money wise? Getting a dog is like having a child. They need you 24/7. Not just when you don't have anything better to do. If you feel that you can handle a dog and find the one you want, congratulations, You have a friend for life. It will never lie to you nor turn it's back on you.

Answer 3

Do I really want a dog and am I prepared to commit to him for his whole life?

Do I have time for a dog or am I working full time/do I have a busy social life/want kids and will change my mind about having a dog when I have them/go away on holidays and weekends?

Do I live in an area that is suitable and is my home suitable (landlord agreement, living in a flat etc)?

Can I afford to train, neuter, vaccinate my dog? And pay vet bills?

Can I afford insurance rather than face huge vet bills?

Do all the members of my household want a dog?

Do I have kids who might pull a dog around?

What breed is suitable for me?

Do I want a pup with all the housetraining and general training or will I consider an older dog?

If I rchoose a rescue a dog - which is the best thing you can do - will the rescue offer backup with training, problems etc?

Do I have anyone who can care for my dog if I am ill or away from home for whatever reason?

There are a million questions, but if you are still sure when you have been honest with yourself, GO FOR IT!

Contact your local rescue and see what they say. A good one will homecheck you and match the dog to you and your lifestyle and family. They will also give lifetime support and advice.

You may long for a Collie but if you don't have the time to give this intelligent breed and the training and time they need you will both be unhappy - but don't be deterred. A greyhound, for example, is another larger breed, but doesn't need the amount of exercise most people imagine and they make wonderful pets. Alternatively you may find a non shedding breed such as a poodle is for you, or a smaller one like a Jack Russell.

Take your time and be sure that you really want and can care for a dog, then look at all the breeds and crossbreeds - don't discount anything. When my old collie cross girl died I went looking for a similar female collie cross - and ended up rescuing a huge male long haired German Shepherd!

It was the best decision I have ever made!

Good luck and enjoy - but do your research and be sure.

Answer 4

No 1: Can you walk it everyday, preferably at least once. You tend to assume you will because you 'have to.' It get seriously boring, unless you really love walking. Think about it- after one month you will have walked your dog at least 30 times. Maybe 60 times. Maybe 90 times! In one month! Where will you go each time? If you get bored easily, don't do it.
No 2: Are you a strong person? Can you deal with routine? If you are the independent minded sort, having a dependent animal like a dog can be a real strain after the novelties worn off. Some people love going to agility or training classes regularly. What if there aren't any in the area, or you don't enjoy it? How will you control your dog off leash or train it to behave? they are soooo exciteable and energetic. A lot can end up being dominant with you if you don't give enough training, exercise and the right kind of leadership.

That would be about it from me. I've never had a dog before and got one last year. She is a pain in the bum basically. She begs, jumps up, barks, whines, runs around and is hyper, pulls on the lead, is aggressive at other dogs, has no recall..... She winds me up pretty. I've put so much effort in. I buy her great food. I walk her. I have attempted the local training classes who were run by a complete maniac. So I quit. She's impossible with other dogs. She runs away. It's embarrassing. She is defiant and irritating no matter how hard I try. Of all my pets, I can honestly say, none has brought me such stress. My cats were peaceful, and I understood them. Now they're afraid to come in. My birds and guinea pigs and my snake are also lovely. My dog....sigh....
Make sure you get one with a similar energy level to yourself. Make sure you're committed, and enjoy walking. Make sure you get one that's easy to train or already very gentle, unless you're a great 'dog person.' Reading training books will not help with a dominant or hyper dog.
Sorry to suond negative- but I'm stressed out!

Answer 5

Have you got enough room in your home for a dog, have you got the time to spend with a dog, because remember when you have a dog, they are a big commitment and a dog is with you twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, so make sure it's what you really want to do before you go into it.
You have to consider vet bills also if your dog becomes ill and that can become quite expensive...

Answer 6

Time: Do you have enough of it?

If you work long hours, a dog may not be for you. Dogs are social creatures and should not be left alone for long periods. Dogs need regular exercise. Depending on the breed of the dog, you may need to take your dog for several walks a day. You would also want to devote time to socializing, training, grooming and playing with your dog. This can be great fun but is also time consuming. Remember, the more you put into your dog, the more you will get back.

Answer 7

Am I ready to handle such a hard job? Will I have enough time to play groom or wash my dog? Do I want a big protective dog, or a small dog? Will I be able to pay for any injuries or surgeries this dog will have? Will I be able to go through my dogs death? These are some questions you should think of I had a dog nd I treated him like a person in my heart he wasn't a dog he was my brother.Goodluck!!

Answer 8

From a breeder, who were the parents, what food do you feed them, what are the backgrounds of the puppies parents, and will this puppy ever need a big yard?

From a pet shop, who were the parents, where is the puppy from, do you have lemon laws that say if the puppy has problems you will pay for the vet bills, and ask for a copy of the place were the puppy is from.

Don't ever buy a dog from a pet shop that won't tell you were the puppies come from. They could come from a puppymill. Those are the worst. It'd be nice if you adopt a dog from your local SPCA. :)

Answer 9

what sort of dog you want a small or large dog what type of dog most important can you afford a dog the vets bills if it gets ill the food do you have the time to walk it everyday remember a dog is for life not just for Christmas which i think is the worse time of the year to get a dog has it is a busy time they like to settle into a new home when it is more quite for them

Answer 10

What type of dog will fix me?
Will I bring it to the vet if it needs help?
Will i have enough money to pay for the vet bills?
Can I take care of the dog?
Will I walk my dog everyday or play with it everyday even when I came back from work/school?
Do I have enough room for a dog?