Owning a dog involves an ongoing responsibility and long term commitment.
When choosing a dog, be aware of the size, height, weight to which
a puppy may grow. Do consider the amount of food it will eat, the
grooming, and the exercise it will need. There are a few important
questions that you have to ask yourself before getting a dog.
1) What do you expect from the dog?
- You want your dog to become a member of the family
- You want a watchdog, to guard your house from strangers and guard your property when you are away
- You want your dog to be star, to be successful in shows and competition List your expectations from the dog before deciding one.
2) To whom it belong
- Be sure someone is committed and has the overall responsibility
3) Do you have enough knowledge?
- Be sure you are aware of what you are taking on
- A dog needs much more than feeding, exercise and grooming. It needs regular health care, training and special care when it is old.
4) Do you have enough time?
- You will need to devote a lot of time with patience and love bringing up the dog and give the companionship it needs.
5) Do you have enough commitment?
- You must be prepared to lose a certain amount of freedom, and commit for 10 years or more.
6) Do you have the right environment?
- Is your home large enough for the type of dog you want to take in?
- Are there nearby areas where it can exercise?
- Can you keep it confined to your property and prevent it from roaming the neighbourhood?
7) Can you afford it?
- Apart from initial cost of purchasing a dog's accessories, consider the ongoing cost for food
- There are annual vaccinations and health care and possibly neutering or kennelling the dog while you are away on holiday
8) Can you offer the dog a stable home?
- Are you likely to move to other cities or travel overseas for a length of time?
- Is the proposed owner has the ability to take care of the dog with enough care?
9) Which gender will you choose?
- Females are usually smaller size than males, more manageable and more easily trained
- If female dogs are not spayed, they will have an oestrus cycle every six months
10) Is the dog the right species?
- Think about this very carefully. Would a cat or other pet be more suitable?
- Assess all your options before committing yourself