ADOPTING
A DOG
Are
You Ready To Adopt A Dog?
Probably the
most important thing to consider is whether you would feel more
comfortable with a puppy or a full grown animal. The age of your dog
can be most important. Will you have the time or the patience to house
train a few weeks old puppy? If you have limited time and would rather
not deal with this sometimes difficult aspect of dog training, then
perhaps more consideration should be given to acquiring an older dog.
There are many
lovable older dogs to be found at your local animal shelter. There you
will discover dogs of all ages and breeds, and there should be no
difficulty in finding the perfect companion. Of course, the advantage
of buying a young pup is that you will bond much quicker and having
trained it from weeks or months old will become familiar with it's
traits and character as it develops into adulthood.
Having enough time to devote to a dog is a very important
consideration. Dogs need love and attention and it is certainly unfair
and perhaps cruel to bring an animal into your home and never devote
much of your time to it. It would be the same thing if you confined it
to a crate all day even if you spent most of your day at home. Your dog
will want to share your time and play with you. It is certainly a very
rewarding thing to spend time in the yard with your pet romping around
and playing a game of fetch the ball. A dog will provide you with
unlimited love and devotion many times over in return for all the
attention and time that you spend with it.
Consideration should also be given to what kind of qualities you are
looking for in a dog. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Dogs have
different temperaments and personalities, and there is certainly one to
suit virtually any person. Thought must also be given to the size of
your living space. Some small dogs are suited to apartment living,
although consideration should be given to neighbors and get one that is
not prone to barking. If you possess a large house and yard, you may
decide on a large breed as ample space can be provided to run around
and exercise in. There are so many variables in deciding what kind of
dog you want. Is it a guard dog that you require? Perhaps a friendly
family dog? A lap dog? A dog that will keep you company while you jog?
Do your research and make a list of the qualities that appeal to you
most.
Of course, your financial situation is another important consideration.
Generally speaking, a dog does not require a great deal of money spent
on it, but it does require some expenditure during the year. For
instance, a dog needs a yearly physical examination at a veterinarian
that includes vaccinations and heartworm protection. Invariably you
will be required to pay a fee for buying or adopting a dog, so your
budget will have to be considered. The price for a pure bred with a
good pedigree will be considerable more than the price of a dog adopted
at an animal shelter. It goes without saying that you will also need to
purchase dog food, collars and leash. You may also want to have a crate
on hand and a dog bed for your new pet. You can spend as little or as
much as you like on accessories such as toys and bones to aid teething.
Do you want a pure bred with pedigree or a dog with a mixed ancestry? A
pure bred animal will be more costly in the beginning, especially if
you get one with champion bloodline. The advantage of buying a pure
bred is that the dog will have excellent genes and should be in a fine
state of health. Admittedly, some pure breeds will come from breeders
who are not so careful with their bloodlines and will have genetic
abnormalities. This will cost more in vet bills down the track. Mixed
breeds are almost always less expensive, and generally are healthier as
their bloodline and genes are mixed. You usually get the best of the
different breeds that went into their make up. But at the end of the
day both pure and mixed breeds make excellent pets.
Owning a dog entails a lot of commitment, but the benefits far outweigh
the responsibilities involved. Dogs are wonderful companions; they love
you unconditionally and will always be a loyal lifelong friend. All
they ask of you is to open your heart to them. You will never regret it.
