Things to consider when buying a puppy or a dog.

Looking into the cute brown eyes of a puppy can melt the coldest of hearts but there are things you should consider before leaping in. This article covers some of the most important aspects of buying a new dog.

Before committing yourself to buying a dog or a puppy there are a number of things you should consider first of all. One of the most important things is to work out whether you have the time AND the money to commit to a new dog. Despite what you might think, dogs can actually be quite expensive; you need to factor in money for food, bedding, equipment, insurance and vet bills. As a rough rule of thumb, the Kennel Club in the UK recommend you budget for £25 a week per dog but some breeds of dogs may cost even more than this.

Although initially they are undeniably fun, dogs are also a big commitment. You should be able to exercise your dog daily, give it the love and attention and training that it needs. Ideally someone should be at home with your dog during the day as they can get lonely just as humans can. You also need to consider what you will do with your dog when you go on holiday or even what you will do if you want to go on a night out straight from work! If you feel that you may not be able to commit to any of these things, then it may be that now is not the right time for you to own a dog.

If you are happy that you are ready and able to look after your dog, there are a number of things you need to bear in mind. First of all consider whether you want to buy a pedigree dog or whether you would like to re-home a dog. There are many advantages to re-homing, not only are you giving a home to a dog that might otherwise be put down, but also you may well be getting a dog that has already been trained and socialised. If you have a certain breed of dog in mind, there are rescue centres for most breeds around the UK.

If you have set your heart on a pedigree puppy then think carefully about the breed you would like to ensure that it will fit your lifestyle. The Kennel Club website has pointers on how to select the right breed for you. A breed that is extremely boisterous and active isn’t perhaps the ideal pet for an elderly couple!

Once you have chosen what type of dog you would like, then look for an accredited breeder. Never buy your puppy from a pet supplies shop as their stock may have come from puppy farms. You should always go to visit your puppy before you commit to buying. Make sure that you also see the mother and that she is friendly as puppies often inherit their mother’s temperament. It is also a good idea to check out the environment that the puppy has been raised in for socialisation; a noisy home environment with pets and children is far preferable to an outdoors kennel. Good breeders will not let a puppy go until he is at least eight- twelve weeks old. Check that the puppy is healthy, has been wormed and will have had at least their first round of vaccinations and take them to the vets soon after you first get them.

The needs of a puppy have been covered in another article but before you bring your dog home ensure that you have a cosy dog bed, some dog food that is suitable for the age of your dog. Good luck!