Choose your dog with care

Getting any pet is a serious business, because you are taking on responsibility for the health and happiness of one of God’s creatures. So don’t mess up. But here the subject is dogs in particular. Dogs are great pets, but they are are not good at looking after themselves. They need people who will commit to looking after them!

It's easy to buy a dog - pet store, refuge, a friend with a litter pending ...

But buying the puppy is just the first part of being a dog owner. Next come dog food, vet bills and pet insurance. You need to budget perhaps $50 a week. Not that you will spend that much every week, but it would be sensible to put that much on one side and build up a balance so that when emergencies come along (and they will) you have some ready cash to deal with them.

This isn’t being said to scare you off, just to help you avoid nasty surprises.

What sort of dog will suit you and your lifestyle best? That's a really important question to ask. If your home is surrounded by wide open spaces, by all means get one of those dogs that's as big as a small horse. But if you live in a small apartment, think small dog. If residents of central New York and London can be happy dog owners, so can you.

Ask yourself if you are prepared to take the dog for a walk every day, regardless of the weather and your other commitments.

If you have other pets, how will they and the dog will get along? Goldfish will be fine, but a cat might be a bit put out.

Most importantly, if you have young children, make sure the dog you get is safe and suitable as a family pet. This is really important.

The dog's creature comforts and security are your next consideration. He or she will need a bed big enough for comfort, a collar, identity tag, a lead, food and water bowls, and things to play with. Puppies always need things to play with ... or watch out for the furniture.

You may also want to consider having the new dog electronically tagged. It's simple and painless, and (for you) reassuring. Ask your vet about it.

References:

Pet Web Site http://www.petwebsite.com

Pet Health Informationhttp://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/dogs/buyingadog.html