Before you bring a dog into your home, there are several questions you should ask yourself to determine if a dog will fit into your life.

 For example: 

 - Can you make the time commitment dog ownership requires?
- Do you have the financial resources needed to care for a dog? 
- Will your lifestyle accommodate a dog?

 Owning a dog is a long-term commitment. It is important to remember that most dogs have a life span of 8 to 15 years. Before getting a dog, make sure you fully understand the time commitment required.

 When considering the financial commitment, you must take into account the cost of food, grooming and providing medical care for your new dog.

 From feeding and exercising to spending quality time with him, your dog will demand regular attention from you. If you have children, a demanding work schedule or like to travel, you must think about whether your lifestyle can accommodate the demands of owning a dog.
Educating yourself about the responsibilities of dog ownership and carefully considering your life can help ensure you and your dog have a long and lasting relationship.

Do you have the financial resources to care for a dog?

  • The purchase price of a dog is minimal compared to the long-term cost of dog ownership.
  • Consider the costs of food, grooming equipment, veterinary visits, leashes, toys, and all the other items your dog will need over the course of his entire life. 

Do you have the time to care for a dog?

  • A dog does not simply require an hour of your time per day for play and exercise. A dog is a 24- hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week commitment.
  • Consider, also, that most dogs have a life span of 8 to 15 years. Having a dog is a long-term commitment.

Your lifestyle accommodate a dog

In addition to considering the time, money and lifestyle commitments dog ownership requires, you should assess whether you have the energy to exercise a dog and the patience to train and groom a dog.

Proper exercise and mental stimulation are essential to your dog's well being. Early and ongoing training helps your dog become a valued and loved member of your family and community. Regular grooming is an important aspect of keeping your dog clean and healthy. 

As a dog owner, you must accept responsibility for performing all of these duties. Even if your children promise to help you perform these tasks and take care of the dog, as the adult, the ultimate responsibility is yours. The decision to bring a dog into your home is an important one. 

If you are prepared for and committed to dog ownership, your dog can be your best friend and constant companion. Keep in mind, however, that as a dog owner, you must be prepared to accept the very good with the occasionally inconvenient.

Would a puppy, adolescent or mature dog best suit you?

  • Puppies under 6 months old require a lot of time, effort and patience.
  • Adolescent dogs, between 6 and 18 months old, are full of energy and will test the boundaries of their environment.
  • A mature dog may already be house-trained, socialized and trained in the basic commands.

Do you have the time and energy required to exercise a dog?

  • Daily exercise is essential for all dogs. Be prepared to exercise your dog every day of his life.
  • Consider whether you have the time, energy and desire to meet the physical needs of a dog.
  • Different breeds of dogs have different activity levels. If you are not generally a physically active person, you may want to consider a dog with a low activity level.  

How can I determine which breed of dog will best fit my lifestyle?

You can research each breed that you are interested in to find out which one will best fit your lifestyle. For example, living in a small home may dictate the purchase of a smaller breed of dog. Also, some breeds are easier to train than others, which is a consideration if you have limited time to devote to training. You can also attend dog shows, visit off-leash parks and take walks in popular dog walking areas to observe and meet different kinds of 
dogs and their owners. 

What else should I consider when deciding to bring a dog home?

To avoid the unhappy task of finding a new home for your dog, find out whether anyone in your family is allergic to dogs before you bring one home. If you suspect a family member may be allergic to dogs, consult your family doctor to determine the severity of the allergy. If the allergy is mild, find out during your breed research which breeds may be more forgiving than others when it comes to aggravating an allergy.
blog blog dogs

How can I determine which breed of dog will best fit my lifestyle?

Before you bring a dog into your home, there are several questions you should ask yourself to determine if a dog will fit into your life.

 For example: 

 - Can you make the time commitment dog ownership requires?
- Do you have the financial resources needed to care for a dog? 
- Will your lifestyle accommodate a dog?

 Owning a dog is a long-term commitment. It is important to remember that most dogs have a life span of 8 to 15 years. Before getting a dog, make sure you fully understand the time commitment required.

 When considering the financial commitment, you must take into account the cost of food, grooming and providing medical care for your new dog.

 From feeding and exercising to spending quality time with him, your dog will demand regular attention from you. If you have children, a demanding work schedule or like to travel, you must think about whether your lifestyle can accommodate the demands of owning a dog.
Educating yourself about the responsibilities of dog ownership and carefully considering your life can help ensure you and your dog have a long and lasting relationship.

Do you have the financial resources to care for a dog?

  • The purchase price of a dog is minimal compared to the long-term cost of dog ownership.
  • Consider the costs of food, grooming equipment, veterinary visits, leashes, toys, and all the other items your dog will need over the course of his entire life. 

Do you have the time to care for a dog?

  • A dog does not simply require an hour of your time per day for play and exercise. A dog is a 24- hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week commitment.
  • Consider, also, that most dogs have a life span of 8 to 15 years. Having a dog is a long-term commitment.

Your lifestyle accommodate a dog

In addition to considering the time, money and lifestyle commitments dog ownership requires, you should assess whether you have the energy to exercise a dog and the patience to train and groom a dog.

Proper exercise and mental stimulation are essential to your dog's well being. Early and ongoing training helps your dog become a valued and loved member of your family and community. Regular grooming is an important aspect of keeping your dog clean and healthy. 

As a dog owner, you must accept responsibility for performing all of these duties. Even if your children promise to help you perform these tasks and take care of the dog, as the adult, the ultimate responsibility is yours. The decision to bring a dog into your home is an important one. 

If you are prepared for and committed to dog ownership, your dog can be your best friend and constant companion. Keep in mind, however, that as a dog owner, you must be prepared to accept the very good with the occasionally inconvenient.

Would a puppy, adolescent or mature dog best suit you?

  • Puppies under 6 months old require a lot of time, effort and patience.
  • Adolescent dogs, between 6 and 18 months old, are full of energy and will test the boundaries of their environment.
  • A mature dog may already be house-trained, socialized and trained in the basic commands.

Do you have the time and energy required to exercise a dog?

  • Daily exercise is essential for all dogs. Be prepared to exercise your dog every day of his life.
  • Consider whether you have the time, energy and desire to meet the physical needs of a dog.
  • Different breeds of dogs have different activity levels. If you are not generally a physically active person, you may want to consider a dog with a low activity level.  

How can I determine which breed of dog will best fit my lifestyle?

You can research each breed that you are interested in to find out which one will best fit your lifestyle. For example, living in a small home may dictate the purchase of a smaller breed of dog. Also, some breeds are easier to train than others, which is a consideration if you have limited time to devote to training. You can also attend dog shows, visit off-leash parks and take walks in popular dog walking areas to observe and meet different kinds of 
dogs and their owners. 

What else should I consider when deciding to bring a dog home?

To avoid the unhappy task of finding a new home for your dog, find out whether anyone in your family is allergic to dogs before you bring one home. If you suspect a family member may be allergic to dogs, consult your family doctor to determine the severity of the allergy. If the allergy is mild, find out during your breed research which breeds may be more forgiving than others when it comes to aggravating an allergy.

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