Before purchasing a dog for a pet you must make a sincere, thoughtful
commitment. Try to match your desires to the needs of the dog.

Before you start your search for a new dog there are the following 18 things
to consider.

1. Obligation and Dedication:

Owning a dog requires a long-term commitment. Adopting a dog on impulse often
ends in disaster. Dogs don't make very good birthday or Christmas presents.
The decision to acquire a dog should be discussed with all family members.

2. Time:

Do you have the time to spend with a pet? Unfortunately, this is not thought
out and frequently overlooked, especially when there are young children in
the family. Puppies and dogs need adult supervision and a five or six year
old child is too young to responsibly care for them. Do you have time to
train a dog? Taking time to train your dog is an obligation that must fit
into your daily schedule. If you can't spare the time in training, playing,
and exercising a dog maybe, you should re-consider acquiring a dog.

3. Facilities:

Do you have a large enough space for a dog? An outdoor dog needs at least a
fenced in yard and a warm, dry doghouse. Do you have the space needed for
keeping a dog inside?

4. Cost:

Can you financially bear the cost of a dog? Not only the cost of purchasing a
dog should be considered but the cost of routine health care, veterinary fees
for annual vaccinations, food, dishes, leashes, collars, beds, toys, etc.

5. Patience:

Owning a dog is a labor of love, but it takes ample patience and persistence
in raising one. Having a hot, quick temper that flares up repeatedly isn't
compatible with owning a dog.

6. Training:

You must give your dog at least some basic training (either by you or a
professional trainer) on behavior and manner or he will be a liability rather
than an asset. House-breaking, collar and leash control, obedience is
necessary training. Without proper training your dog will be a nuisance and
an embarrassment to you.

7. Puppy or Adult Dog?

Depending on your financial situation, the age of children in the home, and
the amount of time you can dedicate to training a dog.

Adult: Adult dogs have reached their full size, coloration, and coat so
usually what you see is what you get. Their personalities are already
established, however many of their learned behavioral manners can be changed.
Adjusting to a new family and environment can be traumatic to older dogs.

6 things to consider when acquiring and adult dog.

I: Adult dogs most likely have had their vaccination shots, although they may
need boosters.

II: Spaying or neutering probably has been done, which will cut down on your
expenses.

III: With an outdoor dog thats fully grown, you have a good idea what type of
fencing and the size of the doghouse you will need.

IV: Inside adult dogs are likely to be housebroken with adequate manners.

V: Eating habits are usually already established in adult dogs, but you may
have to change them to suit your lifestyle.

VI: Usually adult dogs are accustomed to collars and leashes, and may have
had some obedience training. A grown dog with bad habits will take patience
and a great deal of time and effort changing their conduct.

4 things to consider when acquiring a puppy.

I: A puppy in a household with children should be carefully monitored when
together. Petting and wrestling with a puppy is great fun for children but
puppies are fragile and their bones break easily so make sure children
understand this when playing with them.

II: Housebreaking a puppy takes time and is particularly tedious and
aggravating for the uninitiated. Days or sometimes weeks will be spent on
cleaning up after a puppy before it is housebroken.

III: Puppies are vulnerable to diseases not usually associated with adult
dogs. They must be checked regularly and will need vaccinations and booster
shots.

IV: Spaying or neutering represent additional expenses of puppy ownership.

8. Male or Female?

The cost of raising a male or a female dog adds up to about the same,
although spaying a female might be somewhat higher than the cost of neutering
a male. One person may favor the temperament of females, while another person
prefers masculine characteristics. Bringing a new male dog into a household
that already has a male dog may present an aggression problem, unless they
are raised together from puppy hood or are neutered; however, neutering won't
necessarily stop male aggression. Females tend to be more gentle than males.

There are various reasons for wanting to share your life with a dog; yet,
wanting a dog to love is a small part of owning a dog. You will want your dog
to be happy in your home.

Lamar Deane offers free tips and information on Which Dog Breed Fits Your Lifestyle And Personality