What you need to know before getting a dog

According to the Dogs Trust, nearly 4,000 dogs are rehomed every year, often after just a few months. In many instances, this is the result of a lack of time, money and knowledge about the needs of different breeds.

Find the right breed for you

Whether you have your heart set on a particular breed or not, selecting the right one for your lifestyle should be top of your list. But with hundreds of dog breeds in the UK, how do you choose?

One of the first things you should consider is how much exercise your dog will need. Border terriers for instance only need moderate exercise, while Huskies need lots of exercise. Young dogs will also need more exercise than an older dog, so that’s worth taking into consideration too.

If you’re unsure about which dog breed is right for you, check out the Kennel Club’s Breed Standards page. There are over 200 breeds listed under seven categories: gundog, hound, pastoral, terrier, toy, utility and working. From here, you can read more about your dog’s needs.

Take an English Setter, for example. According to the gundogs category, they are especially energetic and happiest when they have plenty of space to play in. On the other hand, if you were to choose a toy dog like a pug or chihuahua, you would need to swap space for plenty of play time.

The cost of dog ownership

Owning a dog might feel like a priceless experience, but with expenses such as food, veterinary fees and insurance, they could end up costing you more than you think.

Add to this your dog toys, vaccinations and health expenses, and you should expect to spend around £2,000 or more a year. If you calculate this over the average lifetime of a dog (between 10-13 years), you’re looking at costs of between £20,000 and £30,000. Phew!

While this may sound scary, as long as you are prepared to make payments for your pooch as and when you need to, it should be plain sailing from the moment you hand them their first chew toy.

Putting time aside

Along with financial security, dog owners should be prepared to put plenty of time aside for their new pet. This includes day-to-day activities such as walking, training and playing, as well as obligatory cuddles and snuggles.

But that’s not all. Dogs don’t just need interaction with their owners, they need attention from other people too. As highly social animals, they thrive in busy areas and often get isolated if left alone for long periods. This is why a 9am-5pm work schedule and dogs often don’t pair well.

You’ll also want to try and avoid hiring a full-time dog walker or asking a family member to look after them a lot. Not only will this be expensive in the long-term, but it could also mean you lose that special bond with your pooch.