What to consider before getting a puppy

Q. My children want a puppy but I am unsure of the level of responsibility it will be. Do you have any advice?

Before the family become too excited about the idea of getting a puppy it’s important to think rationally about the prospect and asked yourself a few key questions:

1. Is every member of the family keen to get a puppy? If one or more are against a pet, then bringing an animal into that environment can cause considerable stress.

2. Have you considered the financial implications, these can be considerable, owning a dog is a serious commitment and should never be taken lightly. You must take into account not only the initial cost of purchasing the dog, but also the ongoing expenses such as food, veterinary fees and canine insurance? A dog has the potential to can cost £25 a week

3. Before choosing a puppy ensure you take into consideration your health, age, and overall time constraints, do you want an active or sedentary animal? Some dogs demand and require almost constant attention, lots of exercise and mental stimulation. You must research which dog will suit your family’s outlook and lifestyle. There is lots of information available on both the Internet and in books about the different breeds so there is no excuse not the fully research the breeds available. For example, choosing a Border Collie or Springer Spaniel type dog if you live in a flat would be asking for trouble and would most probably lead to serious behavioural difficulties. Check our breed tool if you are unsure.

4. Can you make a lifelong commitment to a dog? A dog’s average lifespan is 12years and many live longer than this.

5. Pure breed or Cross- breed? Only you can answer this question. When buying a pure breed dog it is easier to know ‘what you are getting’ in terms of the size the puppy will grow into and how it will look. However, with the fact that dogs are pure bred can lead to potential problems – for example, pure bred dogs often have associated hereditary problems that are less common in a mixed breed dog. Contacting a breed society or the Kennel Club can help inform you of the possible conditions a certain breed is susceptible to.

6. Once you have decided on the best breed for you, or whether you have decided to go for a mixed breed, stick to your plans and be patient. The right dog will turn up so don’t be swayed by others that you may find while looking for ‘the one’

By Company Of Animals (Professional Advisor)

If you wish to respond to this question please login.


© 2007-2007 Pet-Supermarket All Rights Reserved. Pet-Supermarket is a trading name of Viverdi Ltd. Company Number: 4928955 .
By using this Website, you agree to our terms and conditions.