Finding the right dog for you

Thursday March 31st, 2011

Dogs bring years of joy and companionship, but they are also a big responsibility. Before you bring a dog into your home, it's critical to know what to expect. Deciding which breed to get (or mix of breeds) is as important as deciding whether to get a dog in the first place. Being a responsible pet owner requires some serious and careful research to determine which dog is right for you and your family. The American Kennel Club (AKC) provides the following items to consider before choosing a dog.

Temperament - A dog may be with you for as long as 15 years, depending on the breed, so make sure he has a personality you can live with. Is he active, or subdued? Is he easily trained, or strong-willed? Is he friendly to everyone he meets, or aloof toward strangers?

Exercise needs - All dogs need exercise, but some are more active than others. Some dogs need a lot of attention from family members, and regular activity to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. Others are happy to spend the day sleeping on the couch.

Size - All puppies are adorable, but they grow quickly. Ask the shelter, rescue group, or breeder how large your puppy will become before you bring him home. Keep in mind that large dogs require more food and space, and some small dogs need lots of room to run around.

Grooming Needs - All dogs need grooming and most will shed to some degree. Long-coated dogs are beautiful, but require a lot of effort to stay that way. Short-coated dogs are easier to groom, but may still shed, and may require protection in cold weather.

Cost - According to a recent AKC survey, the average pet owner spends up to $1,700 annually on food, vet care, grooming, toys/treats, and training. In addition, pet owners spend up to $1,800 on one-time expenses such as acquiring the dog, spaying/neutering, and start up supplies, including a crate, a dog bed, and leashes and bowls.

Article provided by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Learn more about the AKC's Responsible Dog Ownership Day.

Tags Breeds General, Dog Adoption

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Recent conversations on these topics

Northwest Animal Rescue Alliance in Oregon--BUYER BEWARE
I am writing to let you know that an organization here in Oregon which lists its pets online has not acted responsibly. I adopted a dog from the Northwest Animal Rescue Alliance of Salem this spring. It was soon apparent that the pup had parvo, and I spent thousands (no typo) keeping him alive. He is OK now, but during his illness, the two contact women for the group assured me that the group would refund my very high adoption fee to help cover the completely unexpected illness. Once he recovered, they stopped answering my e-mails and calls and would not even tell me how I could arrange the neutering that the fee was supposed to cover. I am distraught at my financial situation, and sad that animal welfare is being entrusted to a group such as this. Who is responsible for certifying rescue groups? Where is the oversight? Any state agencies I can contact? How can I spare other families my plight? I suspect that the people running this group do not really know what they are doing, and I know for a fact that they housed many other "rescue" pups with my Parvo-infected dog. Illness happens, and I understand that is a sad fact of pet ownership. I have taken care of my part of the bargain 100%. BUT I do not accept people going back on their agreements, especially a rescue group charging for neutering and then not providing it. Can anyone help me notify the proper authority in this case?
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