Are you considering adding a dog to your family?

If so, here are some important questions to ask yourself and your family….

- Should I get a puppy or an adult dog?

- Am I ready to devote 15-20 years to a puppy/ dog, and spend time ‘training’ it?

(potty, socialization, teaching it to chew on toys –not on my shoes, obedience classes, etc?)

- How much is my family willing/ able to spend per year in order to provide quality food, annual vet care (checkup, fecal exams, vaccinations, heart worm preventative, flea & tick preventative, etc.), and emergency vet care (if needed) for our new dog? 

- Will I be able to provide necessary supplies (toys, grooming, bedding, doggy daycare/ boarding, leash, collar, treats, etc)? Is this realistic for my budget?  

- How large of a dog will this puppy grow up to be?

- Do you have a picture in your mind’s eye of what traits your ‘perfect’ dog will have?

- How would you describe this perfect dog?
Energetic? Laid back? Naturally playful? Independent? Clingy? Shy? Charming? Aloof? Outgoing? Fun loving? A partner for long walks? A pooch to toss balls to in the back yard? A gentle friend for your children?

- Do I have time and the patience to commit to a puppy or a dog?  Even if I’ll be working overtime, if I move to a new home, if I have weekend plans? 

- Time that is spent:

• Walking my dog
• Training
• Playing fetch, frisbee, etc
• Grooming/ brushing
• Feeding
• Spending quality time together
• Cleaning up after my dog
• Loving a dog and getting unconditional love in return
• Taking my dog to the vet and licensing it yearly
• Teaching my children how to respect our dog

- How active will this puppy be?  How active will it be as an adult dog?

- Have I spent time with puppies, adult, and senior dogs of this breed? 

- Do I know what this breed(s) of dog was originally bred for?  Does it have any special needs, such as more frequent grooming?

- Will its temperament & personality fit my lifestyle?  (active dog vs. couch potato?

Bringing a dog into your life is a big commitment and a rewarding experience. Please be sure you are aware of all the responsibilities that dog ownership entails and educate yourself. The more you know, the better...to ensure a lifetime of happiness and unconditional love for both you, your family and your new dog!