Adding a new furry friend to the family might be tempting, but there are few things you should consider before making your final decision. The number of people owning a pet is constantly rising, and this trend will continue at the same pace.
However, most people are surprised by the amount of work and money that is required for taking care of your dog.
In general, many new dog owners don’t fully understand the challenges and responsibilities that come with owning a dog, especially if you get elite protection dogs for sale, which results in more puppies given up for adoption.
Just to be sure that you are making the right decision, we highlighted some things that you should consider before getting a dog.
Dogs are for Life
Most people get into a phase when they want to get a dog and quickly get out of the phase after getting one. They forget that on average dogs have a lifespan of 13 years which is a long dedication to your new furry friend.
This means that you should be prepared to take care of your dog for a long time and consider all the expenses and time invested in having a dog.
Finding the Right Breed
The type of dog depends on many things such as your lifestyle, climate, living space, and much more. That’s why it is very important to research what type of dog breed is right for you before making your decision.
There are few things to consider like taking the size of your living arrangements, your surrounding area (whether you live in the city or countryside), family structure (living with children or adults), active walking, and much more.
For example, some dog breeds are more vocal which makes them difficult if you are living in an apartment community.
Time Sacrifice
Owning a dog is a time-consuming process that is very similar to having a small child. Bringing a new furry member in your family means that you need to take responsibility for taking care of your dog, which needs often will come before your own.
This means that you need to take your dog with you wherever you go, especially for longer vacations, or hire somebody to take care of it. You also need to take the time to feed, walk, and watch over your dog in your absence.
Costs
Most people don’t realize the costs of owning a dog. Depending on the type of breed, the initial expense for a dog on average is from $500-$1200, but the costs don’t end there. Your pet needs to pay a constant visit to the vet, have plenty of food and water, a collar, a bed, haircuts, and much more.
A recent study showed us that on average, the lifetime cost of owning a dog is around $10,000. This number can be lower or higher depending on the breed, size, or health of your dog.
Healthcare
One of the most important things in your pet’s life is its health and happiness. Your dog’s health is very important and it can be improved only by properly taking care of your pet. They can become sick and hurt just like us, which means that you need to have a good vet nearby and track their health process including vaccinations.
You can also go for health insurance to help cover some of the unexpected health bills, which can go very high.
Exercise
It is important to note that dogs have a lot of energy, which means that they need to go for daily exercise. Depending on the breed, you need to take your dog for a walk at least once a day to your local part of your garden.
Daily exercise is very important for their health and proper development as they grow.