Should I get a dog?

Of course dogs are cute, all the different types. Big, small, short hair, fluffy hair, floppy ears, big antennas (that’s what I like to call wranglers ears), waggy tail or short nub! So many to choose each with different needs. So choosing one that fits your lifestyle is crucial to your dogs health and quality of life.

Do you have time?

Are you working 12 hour days 6-7 days a week? Maybe a dog isn’t for you, and that’s FINE! Know your limits and the amount of effort your willing to give. Dogs are living creatures, and if your looking into expanding your home your new dog will require a lot of your attention and time. You need time to exercise your puppy/dog, and don’t forget about training. They should not be left alone 12 hours a day every day, if you work long hours common recommendations would be to have a family member spend time with them throughout the day, also you can hire a pet sitter/dog walker to take them for a walk.

Money

Owning a pet isn’t cheap, especially the first year of their life. They need vaccines, heartworm supplements and veterinarian fees. You also have to factor in food, depending on the quality of food or type it can be costly. I feed Wrangler a high quality food and pay an upwards of $200-250 per month. A dog will also need accessories, toys, food/water bowls, a crate, a bed and more. The first initial purchase will be costly, I recommend purchasing items that will last you a long time. For example if you purchase or adopt a puppy that will get large, purchasing a crate that will last their whole life will be better then purchasing new crates everytime they outgrow one (most crates come with dividers, I will talk about that in a different post). If you get a dog that needs to be groomed that’s an additional expense every 6-8 weeks, can cost $30+. Every grooming salon is different, and your dog may require minimal grooming to something more frequent. I also recommend looking into pet insurance, it will help with vaccines, vet bills, and accidents (trust me accidents happen). Insurance can range from $20+ depending on what company and plan you get.

Maintenance

Each dog breeds require different things. Dogs with thick, long, wavy, or curly coats require grooming. Daily brushing or combing, or else your dog can get matts. You will need to brush your dogs teeth frequently minimal once a day. No greenies aren’t enough and no feeding your dog dry food will not help. Trimming your dogs nails, sometimes dog will file their own nails when walking on concrete or asphalt. Your dog may also have a dew claw that will need to be trimmed.

Space

Your dog will need an area for themselves. They will need a crate, playpen, or a room to be blocked off for them to stay in while you cannot supervise. If you plan on purchasing/adopting a smaller dog they will need a smaller space then a larger dog.

Deciding what breed fits your lifestyle

After all that information, and you’ve decided your ready! Now one of the most important decisions is to decide what kind of dog fits your lifestyle best. Time to do your research on what dog breed fits your lifestyle best, factor in maintenance, energy level, size, and temperament.

Goodluck!

Should I get a Dog?