Everyone wants the cute little puppy. One that is fluffy and will cuddle with them and has that cute puppy breath.  What people don’t think about is that those puppies will grow up and require a lot of care. There are specific breeds that are deemed family friendly dogs and others that people should think twice about before adopting or buying from a breeder.

There are breeds that get a bad rap as well, but can be the sweetest, most loving pet you will own with the proper training and care. Obedience training is extremely important with pit bulls, rottweilers, and doberman pinchers. Golden Retrievers and Labs are 2 of the best family pets.  Labs are extremely energetic until about the age of 2 so they require a lot of time outdoors and exercising to help burn some of that energy. Some breeds like collies, shih tzu, cocker spaniel and others require lots of grooming which requires the expense of a groomer and time driving to appointments or time for you to spend taking care of it yourself.  German Shepherds are fantastic family dogs, but are also protective and can be a little on the mean side if not trained correctly.

It is important to research the breed of dog you would like to add to your family if you decide that pet ownership is for you. Decide if that particular breed is something that will work well with your family and lifestyle and if not, then look for one that will.  Maybe a dog isn’t the best fit and you would do better with a cat or rabbit. You need to research and ask questions to ensure that you are choosing the correct pet for your home. As I said before, pets can last up to 15-18 years so it is a lifetime commitment.

Has anyone had a great experience or bad experience with a particular breed? What advice do you have for people that are thinking about adopting a dog?

 

Owning a dog is a major commitment that will last, on average, 10 to 15 years. A dog requires at least 1-2 hours of dedicated attention a day including any form of a walk, playtime, enrichment activities, training or cuddle time. Exercise is one of the most important items that a dog requires.  If a dog gets bored, or has lack of exercise they are more apt to misbehave. They need to burn energy, and if you aren’t providing that for them, they will find their own entertainment which might not be a good choice.

It doesn’t matter if your dog is young, old, three-legged, or one that isn’t a fan of being outside – it is important to get your dog out for exercise! Exercise helps keep a dog’s heart healthy, joints strong, and weight under control. Veterinarians say that more than half of the dogs they see are overweight.                                                                                                                                                     Which Naughty Puppy Wore

                                                                                                                                                                            the Sparkles Better?

There are several breeds of dogs and many require different types of activity. When you decide how much time you have to offer a pet, you should research the various breeds and find one that will match your wants and needs. Border collies and Australian shepherds are two examples of dog breeds with high activity needs. Bulldogs and chow chows are two breeds with minimal fitness requirements. These breeds do best with brief daily walks.

Getting a dog is a life-changing decision, and the commitment can be intimidating at first. But in exchange for your time, care, and attention, your dog will give you a lifetime of love and companionship.

 

 

 

Over 67 percent of people in the United States own a pet as of a 2019-2020 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association. The number one pet to own is a dog with cats coming in second and fish coming in third.

There is a great deal to consider before deciding if owning a pet is right for your family:

• Can you afford the food, supplies, vet care and unexpected necessities the animal may need?
• Are you willing to give your time to an animals needs?
• Animals take training and you have to think about the surroundings that the pet will live in as to not to disturb neighbors
• Are you emotionally stable to be able to say goodbye when your pet passes away?

Let’s look at the first bullet in regards to the cost of pet ownership.  If you decide to adopt a pet from a rescue or shelter it could be up to $500.00. Most shelters are required to ensure that the pet is up to date on shots and spayed/neutered but if you choose to adopt or purchase from a private owner you will have to pay these fees out of pocket. It is important to keep your pet up to date on shots for the protection of your animal and others that visit in case of bites.

When you add food and toys and any other care that the pet may need, the first year of ownership can be in excess of $1000.00. If the animal is injured or develops a medical condition the cost goes up.

A family needs to discuss every aspect of owning a pet before jumping in to pet ownership. It is best for the pet that is being adopted or purchased to only have to acclimate themselves to one household.

Our next blog will touch on the second piece of pet ownership in more detail – Do you have time for the pet?

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