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By Carolyn Mentieth
Owning a dog is one of life's great joys - but before you dash out and get one, there are a few questions you needs to ask yourself. While you might want a dog, would a dog want you?
Can I give a dog the exercise it needs?
Every dog needs exercise. Some are happy with as little as half an hour a day, while others will need much longer - some upwards of two hours every day free running. This means every day of every week of every year - come rain or shine for the next 15 years. It's easy to imagine that you could do that when it is only a dream, but would you be able to cope with the reality of it?
Do I have time for a dog?
Most of us lead increasingly busy lives - and there is no doubt a dog makes it busier. There is the walking, the grooming, the vet visits, the training - all of this takes valuable time.
Dogs need constant attention - they do not cope well with being left alone. When we take a dog into our home, we become 'their pack' and the dog relies on us for company and security. You should not have a dog if you are out all day. It is true that some people somehow manage to make it work, but these are the exceptions. For each dog who is left all day with no problems, there are twenty lonely, depressed dogs who bark, tear up the house, self-mutilate in their despair, or are just plain bored and miserable.
Can I afford a dog?
Dogs cost money - lots of it! First there is all the equipment - a bed, bowls, collar, lead, ID tags, toys and grooming tools. There is the possible cost of re-fencing your garden to make it dog-proof, and also the cost of turning your car into a dog-friendly area. Then there is the general upkeep of the dog - food, vets fees, vaccinations, neutering, insurance, training costs, flea and worm products, kennelling when you go on holiday…….. and so the list goes on.
(This is for the mums only) Do you really want a dog, or is it just for the children?
While your children may insist they will look after the dog, sooner or later it will become your responsibility. The children will be at school at prime dog walking time, and so you will walk the dog. When the children come home, they will have homework, so you will groom and feed the dog. And if your children are 10-12 years old now, the lifespan of the dog will take them through their exams, first boyfriends/girlfriends, college, university, first job, and leaving home. And guess who will end up with the dog?
If you have read all of that and you still want a dog, how do you go about finding the right dog for you?
Do I want a puppy or a rescue dog?
Up and down the country there are thousands of dogs in rescue centres needing good homes. Taking on a rescue dog can be the most rewarding experience you can imagine, but it is not for everyone. Most rescue dogs come with an unknown history - they can have fears, phobias, or problems that you may not discover until you get them home. These dogs often need a lot of time, patience and understanding to turn them into the wonderful loving companions that have been buried in the mysteries of their past.
If you chose to take on a rescue dog, find a centre (like Battersea) who fully assess their dogs and can give you some ideas of what you are in for. They will be able to tell you if the dog will be good with children, cats, strangers, or anything else you require in your new companion.
If however, you have your heart set on a specific breed, want to shape your dog's future, and are prepared for endless fun, joy, hard work, pee and poo, cleaning up, and sleepless nights, then a puppy is for you.
What type of dog is right for you?
To make sure you get a dog that will fit into your lifestyle you need to do some research. Each breed of dog was bred to do a specific job - some were bred as guard dogs, others as herding dogs, others as companions and so on. If you want to know what a dog will be like to live with, find out what it was originally designed to do. For example Border Collies were bred to work all day every day herding livestock. So if you choose one of these dogs it will not be happy unless it is getting endless exercise, has a job to do (like agility or flyball), and even then it will still want to round up your children or the postman!
To pick your perfect breed, decide what size of dog you want, how much grooming you want to do, how much exercise you are able to give the dog and what sort of personality you want - then look at those breeds or types that fulfil those requirements.
Basic guide:
Gundogs - Happy, family dogs, but need lots of exercise. Vary in size.
Hounds - Lively and active but fairly laid back, difficult to train, may not be great with other pets. Vary in size.
Herding dogs - Very active, need lots of exercise and stimulation. Vary in size.
Guarding dogs - Need plenty of socialisation, training and exercise. For more experienced owners. Generally large dogs.
Terriers - Great for people who want a smaller, active dog. Loads of character.
Companion dogs - Generally smaller and need less exercise. Affectionate and gentle.
Then what?
Once you have decided your ideal breed or type, contact the relevant breed club (numbers available from the Kennel Club or else visit Discover Dogs at Crufts) and find a breeder near you. Visit them and see the adult dogs in their home environment (all pups are cute, but you need to like what they are going to grow into). If you still like them, take the whole family to make sure everyone else likes them (and isn't allergic to them!). If all is well, then you can plan to get your puppy.
If your ideal dog is a rescue, go to the centre with a very clear idea of what you are looking for - and stick to it. It is too easy to fall for a pair of big brown eyes that belong to a totally unsuitable dog! Don't take your children at this stage, as they are even more likely to fall for a pair of unsuitable eyes. Talk to the staff about the dogs - they will know better than anyone what each dog is like. Once you find a dog you like, spend time with it, handle it, groom it, and walk it. Take the rest of the family to meet the dog to make sure they get on well with it too. You are looking for a dog who enjoys being with you, is affectionate and happy, who you feel relaxed and safe with, and who you fall in love with.
Finding the ideal dog takes time and effort. Don't just settle for the first dog you see - after all, this dog is going to be your companion for the next 15 years. Make sure it is the dog of your dreams.
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