Buying a Dog: Tips on Selecting the Perfect Furry Friend for Your Family

Email to a Friend Darren September 17th, 2007

Thinking of buying a new pet for the family? What are some things to consider? How much will the new addition to the family cost? What kind of dog is right for your home?

These are all very valid questions. A recent article from FoxNews is a great starting point and overview of what you need to know.

What kind of dog is the right one?

First of all, the decision to buy a dog should involve everyone in the household. Roommates, spouses, children, and anyone who will be caring for the dog should be involved in making the decision.

“The bond has to be established that this is the right pet for everyone,” said Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the adoption center at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Adoption Center in New York City. “You want everyone involved.”

Dogs must be walked, if you have a yard, you may need to put in a fence. While many small dogs do well in apartments, some very large breeds, like Mastiffs are not extremely high energy and can also work in apartments.

Many dogs have extensive grooming needs. “Many times people will pick a dog on looks or photographs without looking at the dog’s needs about exercise or grooming,” said Lisa Peterson, director of club communications for the American Kennel Club.

Even if you saw the cutest dog on the planet, do the research to see if it is really the dog for you. Most dogs live 10 to 15 years, so make sure the pet you bring home will be the temperament you are ready to coexist with for years to come.

Can you afford a pet?

There are a number of costs to consider beyond the initial purchase price of the pet.

Pet Care Costs

“I think if they’ve never owned a dog, people are surprised by the number of the vet visits,” said Peterson. “If you get a dog and you work, you’re going to have to hire someone to come take care of the dog, or if you vacation, you’ll have to pay for boarding fees.”

Grooming, training, spaying or neutering, and food are just some of the costs that dog owners will face.

Caring for you pet

One of the important points made in this article about caring for your pet is how much attention will need to be given to the new family member.

Dogs are not an accessory to your lifestyle or household. They are family members who require attention. Any dog, no matter how small or laid back, requires exercise. Even if you have a yard, it is important to actually exercise the dog, either walking it or playing with it outside. Dogs must be walked. The general rule is that a puppy can only hold its bladder for an hour for every month old plus one.

Purebred

“The biggest advantage is the predictability of a pure bred,” said Peterson. “You know exactly what you’re going to get, grooming requirement, type of coat.”

Take for example the following situation that one San Francisco resident encountered with a Maltese/poodle mix:

And while purebreds do have traits that carry from dog to dog, every dog is an individual. Lisa Romano of San Francisco thought Gus, a Maltese/poodle mix, would be a convenient 8 pounds.

A year later, her Maltipoo is actually a Cockapoo, a cockerspanial/poodle mix, weighing in at 15 pounds, almost twice the size of the dog she thought she was getting.

Adopting

There are many dogs in need of a good home. According to the ASPCA, five out of 10 dogs in shelters and seven out of 10 cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them. Even if you are looking for a purebred, adopting may still be the way to go. Besides rescue groups for purebreds, the ASPCA estimates 20 percent of dogs in shelters are purebred.

Find an animal shelter near you:

ASPCA

PetFinder

Adopt-a-Pet

Some shelters will take waiting lists for certain dogs, while other shelters, such those run by the ASPCA, work on a first come, first serve basis. Although adopting is significantly cheaper than buying a purebred, there is still an adoption fee, usually from $50 to $150, and putting a hold on a dog that you absolutely must have may cost approximately an additional $75.

Do’s

The article highlights some important points to ensure you do when buy a new pet:

Do your research
Prepare your home
Obedience training

Dont’s

Do not buy online

The Internet is a great place to begin your search for information about breeds, breeders and shelters. However, you should always meet and speak with the person you are buying a dog from, and never order a dog over the Internet.

Never before eight weeks
Do not go to a pet store

While you may have gotten your guppies from the local pet store, and you will definitely need a pet supply store shopping spree before you bring a dog home, do not buy a dog from a pet store. Both Buchwald and Peterson agree that dogs at pet stores are often prone to genetic problems, because they are often bred at so-called “puppy mills” that value quantity over quality. These dogs do not come with the socialization or guarantees you get from a breeder or shelter.

Full Article

Other Resources from around the web:

Buying a New Dog? Read This First

What you need to know before buying a puppy

How to choose a dog

About Buying a Dog - American Kennel Club

Have any other tips for potentially new pet owners? Share your thoughts with us via the comments area of this article.