you prepared to cope with the added responsibility? If you decide you are ready to be an owner, you will need to determine which dog is right for you, choosing one who will fit in with your lifestyle. Different breeds have different requirements and temperaments, and it may take time to find the perfect puppy. Even after deciding on a breed, you will find that the pups in a litter all have individual personalities.
The first step, however, is to determine whether you are prepared to cope with the added responsibility of owning a puppy. Begin by asking yourself some general questions.
Does a Puppy Fit Your Lifestyle?
Do you know what it’s really like to live with a dog? If your ideas about dog ownership consist mainly of childhood memories, update this with some current experience. Do more than visit dogs belonging to friends or relatives. Offer to dog sit for a week or two, and see whether you still feel enthusiastic about getting a dog (keep in mind that puppies will require more attention than adult dogs will). Or volunteer at a local animal shelter. Working with so many dogs will definitely tell you if you have the patience and stamina for a puppy.
This chow chow’s paws-on approach to mealtime will mean extra cleanup work for the owner. Be sure to consider these kinds of chores when deciding whether you have time for a puppy.
Do you have time for a puppy? Abundant leisure time or a flexible schedule does not automatically mean you want to devote this precious resource to puppy care. Do you want to spend your lunch hour going home to walk or feed a puppy? Or spend your weekends at puppy training classes? Or get up an hour early every day to tend to puppy chores?
Utilizing time at doggy day care, employing a dog walking service, and taking a trip to a dog park can supplement your daily attention, but they cannot replace it. And every puppy comes with his own set of quirks and charms; you may have a collie who develops an independent spirit, or you may end up with a golden retriever who never wants to leave your side. Unless you have the time to raise a puppy, you will not be able to manage the quirks or enjoy the charms.
This French bulldog looks tuckered out after a game of Frisbee. Playing with your puppy is critical to his development.
Does everyone in your household want a puppy? It is unrealistic to assume that only one person will be responsible for a puppy’s care. Everyone in your home will interact with him in some way, and the puppy will seek attention from everyone. Whoever spends the most time at home will be faced with a greater share of daily responsibilities—including dealing with messes and dog damage. This is bound to create resentment unless everyone wants a puppy.
Can you accommodate a puppy? Space requirements vary by breed and by temperament. Some big dogs are surprisingly sedate, and some very small ones are energetic. A large, fenced yard, once considered essential for a puppy, is helpful but not mandatory. Active dogs can live happily in small apartments—if you are prepared to devote the necessary time and effort to meeting their daily exercise requirements (see chapter 5).
Along with exercise needs, puppies come with lots of accessories—beds, crates, bins of dog food, pens, toys—all over the house. Do you have room for all this stuff in the middle of your kitchen, bedroom, or living room? Social interaction is critical to a puppy’s development. He cannot be relegated to some inconspicuous part of the house. Similarly, is your car large enough to safely transport your dog? If you don’t have a car, how will you get your puppy to the veterinary clinic and other necessary places?
Are you prepared for the financial outlay? A puppy can be more expensive than you bargained for. Dog food, for instance, will cost you $20 to $30 for a large bag; for the biggest breeds, you’ll be buying at least one bag per month. Other essentials, such as beds and crates, collars and leads, treats and toys, and grooming supplies, might add $200 to $300 annually. This still sounds manageable. Add in basic veterinary care: inoculations ($100 per year), heartworm test and preventive care ($50 to $100 per year), microchip ($50 to $75), spay or neuter ($100 to $400), and dental care ($100 to $300). Puppies may also need one or more professional services on a regular basis. Consider puppy training classes ($100 to $200), doggy day care or a dog sitter ($10 to $20 per day), a professional dog walker ($10 per day), and professional grooming ($20 to $50 per visit). Other expenses can include annual dog licensing, pet health insurance, and increased premiums for homeowners insurance or pet-related security deposits on rental units.
These figures are only general guidelines. They should, however, give you a realistic idea of the financial investment you will be making. The costs certainly are not meant to dissuade you from getting a puppy, only to prepare you.
A veterinarian examines three Pomeranian puppies. Good veterinary care is a crucial ongoing expense, so be prepared for it.
Finding the Puppy of Your Dreams
Once you have decided that a puppy is the pet for you, the first step in choosing a puppy is to determine the breed (or mixed breed) that you want. Research the breeds you are interested in to learn about their general temperaments and care requirements, which will help identify a breed that fits in with your lifestyle. Here are some basic guidelines and information to get you started in your research.
Which “Model” Is for You?
Dogs come in three basic “models”: purebred, crossbred, and random bred. All three make wonderful pets. But none of them comes with a built-in guarantee of health, quality, or completely predictable behavior. Be wary of anyone, be it breeder or rescue group, claiming otherwise. Dogs are also classified in groups by type—such as working, hound, and sport—and by breed. The more you know about the characteristics of dogs in these classifications, the wiser you’ll be in choosing your companion pup.
PUREBRED
With purebreds, both parents are documented (registered) as belonging to the same breed. Offspring are recognized as members of the same breed and are eligible for certification with the same registry. A registry is an internationally recognized organization that maintains parentage and ownership records of purebred dogs. If a dog is registered by one of these organizations, such as American Kennel Club (AKC) or the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), other official registries for that same breed automatically accept his pedigree. Purebred puppies are the product of several generations of dogs with similar mental and physical traits, such as size, personality, and health. Although these traits will still vary, the extent of variation is much more predictable.
CROSSBRED
Crossbred means both parents are certified purebreds but of different breeds. Sometimes, crossbred puppies represent the best breed qualities of both parents, but this is not always true. Crossbreeding increases unpredictability of mental and physical traits.
RANDOM BRED
Random bred puppies are also known as mixed breeds or mongrels (or mutts). Their ancestry can be estimated but not verified. They are often presented to a prospective buyer as a mixture of well-known breeds, such as “shepherd mix” or “poodle mix.” Some traits, such as size and temperament, are difficult to predict in young
