Choosing a family dog
What factors do we have to consider when in choosing a family dog
Choosing a family dog
They're a number of factors to consider when choosing a dog. In the following we are going to consider factors like how much is the dog going to cost (cost of food, insurance, toys and the list goes on) kennelling (where is the dog going to sleep inside or out), time (have you really got the time to spend with the dog), the size of house the size of dog (how big is your dog going to be) and which breed is the right breed for you.
The first factor we should all consider when buying a family dog is how much is it going to cost, not only have you got to look at the initial cost of buying the dog, you have to look at the long term cost. If you are buying a dog from a pup it will be with you for anything up to seventeen years. We are going to looking at buying food and treats for the dog, leads and collars which is an ongoing expense. Vets are a necessity but it is not like the NHS they will charge you, so we should be looking at insurance for the dog. (However we do have the PDSA, which is an excellent organisation for people that cannot afford normal vet bills). Dogs need constant stimulation or they can become destructive and bored, they need toys like balls, rubber rings, Kong's, food balls these all cost money and may need replacing every so often. When we get our puppy or dog are we going to put it through socialisation classes or obedience classes these again cost and could be an on going expense. These are just general everyday expenses there are also things like grooming some dogs like some Springer spaniels, cockers spaniels and many other breeds with long hair will need regular grooming, dog walking as in professional dog walkers will have to be employed if you unable to walk the dog yourself, kennelling if you go away and the list goes on.
The next factor we should consider, where is the dog going to live. This may seem a small factor but it is a very important one, is the dog going to live inside the house or is it going to be kennelled outside. If it is going to live inside you need to have a designated area for its bed or cage. Never let the dog sleep on the bed in even in the bedroom. If it is to be kennelled outside then you need a secure kennel with a run big enough for the size of dog to stretch and walk around.
Some people do not take in to account when they buy a dog the time they take to look after. As a pup your dog will need to relieve itself every hour so at the beginning you need to be there for them. They need to be walking for a least an hour every night and a quick walk in the mornings. Training needs to be considered, you need to able to set aside 20 minutes a day and an hour a week if you are going to classes. Playtime is essential for a dog's development so you need to spend some time just playing with them everyday. A dog will take up half or even three quarters of your spare time if you are working. If you have not got that time then you should not really consider buying a dog.
When choosing a dog for your family you should consider their size. As pups all dogs look cute and cuddly however fully grown it may be a completely different situation. If you live in a one-bedroom house or flat you should not consider a large breed of dog like a Great Dane you would be better with a Cavalier King Charles or a terrier size dog. If you have a large house with large gardens you can consider the larger breeds as a family dog.
The last thing to consider is what breed is right for you and are you going to have it from a pup or re-home an adult dog. All dogs are of different natures and have different temperaments. If you buy a dog as a Puppy and socialise it right it should not really make any difference what their initial temperament is, however you should carefully consider the nature of the dog if you are buying an adult. Some dogs naturally have an aversion to other dogs; some dogs are independent minded and not the easiest to train like a Beagle or a Husky. People with allergies should be careful when choosing a dog, as there are a lot of breeds that constantly shed hair. There are now new cross-breeds being bred especially for people with allergies. If you are going to rescue a dog you need to be careful you are not taking on one with behavioural problems. If there is any sign of problems, unless you are willing to work with that dog or you know the dogs back ground, you should not rescue it. You have got to consider if you have children the implications of a rescued home dog with limit available background information.
In conclusion there are a lot of factors to consider when looking at buying a family pet. To quote the PDSA "A dog is for life not just for Christmas". If more people stopped and considered all these factors (cost, kennelling, time, and size of the dog and what type of breed to have) there would be fewer dogs being destroyed or being put into rescue centres.
