Deciding to adopt a puppy is a huge decision. You must consider everything the puppy needs, as puppies are like having a baby around. So here are some questions to ask yourself.
1). Do I have the time to spend with the puppy, or are there enough family members willing to help?
When you get a new puppy, you will need to spend a lot of time with them, and if you work full time, it will be hard. If you have a roommate or family members that can help out, that would be great. Otherwise, you may start to think about doggie daycare if you can afford one and there is one close enough to make sense.
2). Do I have room for the type of puppy I am looking for?
Think of a Great Dane puppy full-grown in a one-bedroom apartment with no backyard. Before falling in love with a puppy, look around where you live and do some research. You can quickly discover how big a puppy will grow and what kind of space you need to keep them fit and healthy. Remember this if a puppy grows up in an environment that can’t sustain them properly, they will become destructive.
3). Can I financially afford to take care of a puppy?
This is an important one. One thing about puppies as they grow and as they do, things can get expensive. There are vet bills, having the puppy neutered or spayed, vitamins, grooming, beds, food treats, toys, the list goes on and on. Some breeds cost more than others to maintain financially.
4). Can I train the puppy myself, or will I have to hire someone?
Do you have the time and the patience to do this? Training a puppy can be challenging and frustrating if you don’t know what you’re doing. Much more so than adopting a full-grown dog who may already know commands.
Ok, so you answered the main questions about bringing a puppy into your life and have decided on what breed you are looking for; it’s time for a little more research. How will you get this puppy? Where does one find a puppy? More decisions to make things can get a little confusing now. Do you want to purchase a puppy or adopt one from a shelter? Do you want a specific breed, or is what you are looking for is a mutt? Just because a dog is a pure breed doesn’t mean it is better than one that is not. Let us look at some advantages and disadvantages of pure breeds and crossbreeds.
Crossbreeds
Pros - Resilient to disease, Genetic diversity, budget-friendly, balanced characteristics
Cons -Unpredictable size & age expectancy, unpredictable temperament
Pure Breeds
Pros - Predictable behavior and temperament, predictable physical traits - pedigree papers
Cons - health problems/ inbreeding, specific breed ailments, expensive to purchase - predictable behavior and temperament
This is just a tiny sample of the differences between Pure Breeds and mixed breeds. One of the biggest problems is people choose on looks and size alone. If you choose a puppy, remember to find out the different characteristics of different breeds. A good example is the Siberian Husky, a medium-sized dog, beautiful markings, a stunning coat, very vocal, and needs attention, and a lot of exercise. These dogs were born to run and pull. They also are intelligent and great escape artists. Do you have time for a dog like this? Do you have the patients to train one? Are you willing to keep them entertained for long periods of time? If not, this is not the dog for you. So don’t just judge on looks and size alone; make sure to do your research for the puppy that will fit your lifestyle.