The Pro's and Con's of keeping a Dog

foreign_correspondent

tandraig wrote: »

otherwise - the cheapest way of aquiring a dog is to look in the local paper - for good home wanted ads.

The problem with that is that it is a gamble with little recourse if you have problems - sadly, some people do use it as a way to palm off a dog with a serious (i.e. expensive!) health condition or behavioural problems. A good rescue will always be upfront with you about any known health or behavioural issues, will try and ensure a dog that is suitable for your needs (eg. not a dog that needs daily five mile runs, if you are more of a potter round the block type person!) and make sure dogs are vaccinated, chipped etc, and should offer after-care support - most also offer to take the dog back if at any point you are unable to keep it.

I would avoid internet ads too, for the same reason, but also because of puppy selling scams, where people ask for money to transport a 'free to good home' dog that does not even exist!

There is a list of dog rescues in Wales here:
http://www.dogpages.org.uk/wales.htm

This website is also useful:
http://www.dogsblog.com/tag/located-in-wales/

tandraig wrote: »

oh i forgot the biggest benefit - a soul who loves you unconditionally!

agree 100%! A happy dog greeting you when you come home is one of life's much under-rated joys!:D

moomin5

Fostering seems like a good idea and would give you chance to know if dog ownership is really for you without the long term commitment, while helping a dog in need. Some rescues will reduce their adoption fees for those on low incomes also.

Greyhounds will cost more to run than a small dog but generally they love to lounge about so are very easy to live with ( I have 2) They'll happily go for a few short strolls or a long walk and many have great lead manners and will just plod along beside you.

I find the main negative of dog ownership is that you are always on a time limit when you go out and it can make visiting folks/places more awkward as to whether you can take the dog or need to get someone else to look after it etc. I accepted the changes to my life when became an owner and for me the enjoyment they bring more than makes up for the sacrifices & costs

mrcol1000

moomin5 wrote: »

I find the main negative of dog ownership is that you are always on a time limit when you go out and it can make visiting folks/places more awkward as to whether you can take the dog or need to get someone else to look after it etc. I accepted the changes to my life when became an owner and for me the enjoyment they bring more than makes up for the sacrifices & costs

This is a very good point and not every dog owner seems to appericate even after they get the dog. You become the dogs world so when your gone it will miss you. Most dogs should be alright for a while but if your going out for a whole day you either need to take the dog with you or find someone to look after it even if its just for an hour or two to break up the day. Its something that is easy to forget about before you get the dog but suddenly becomes a reality when you have the dog. But like it says above the company and enjoyment more than makes up for the hassle of not being able to go out for the day without finding someone to look after the dog.

WolfSong2000

I think a greyhound would be ideal for your situation - they really are couch potatoes, so wouldn't require a great deal of exercise, but are still lovely, friendly dogs - there's also a lot of rescued greyhounds out there looking for good homes!

chucknorris

viv0147 wrote: »

I am a 62-year-old male and I live alone, and through ill health I had to retire. I have had an operation and as far as I know everything is now ok. For a little while I have been thinking about getting a dog for company, and taking a dog for walks would give me some much needed exercise. I am on a limited budget just my pension now, I have a surplus most of the time, and I did have a dog when I was 14 and had lots of fun with him. Of course that was many years ago, so do you think it may be a good idea? And what would the costs be in keeping a dog? Would the costs outweigh the benefits please any advice would be welcome. Thanks

The benefits would outweigh the costs by a factor of around 10,000/1 (as long as you can actually afford a dog that is). As a guide my costs tend to be:

£/week (for a lab/spaniel cross)

£8 Food/treats (we get very good quality food but there are much cheaper but inferior brands)
£2 Worming/flee/vacinations and boosters/miscellanious
£5 budget insurance (I self insure but you should allow for this, beware cheap start up schemes that will rise and have excesses, this is just a guide someone might provide a more accurate cheap no excess scheme).

So ongoing costs would be about £10-£15/week excluding things like: pet passports, kennel fees, dog walker/sitter and toys, collar, lead, box etc.

As someone suggested above, why not foster a dog first and see how it goes, that would be a good way to see what you thought of it without committing yourself for years.

Hughesy84

Get yourself a small dog from a rehoming place and it wont outweigh the pro's. It shouldnt cost too much if it isnt a massive dog either... (We have a blue staffy pup thats 6 months old and it costs us about £14 a month to feed it dog food - obviously extra if we buy him a treat)

A dog is a mans best friend and it will help you enjoy life more im sure - trust me it will be the best thing you do!

lostinrates

I keep waiting for my grey to become a couch potato...but yes, in general they are very, very easy to live with. she is actually asleep now...

The other thing to think about, OP, is who could cover for you if you become unwell, whether its for one meal and dog walk when you have a flu, or for a longer period of time.

hethmar

No up dates from the OP?

hethmar

Oh, and here we all are champing at the bit to start dog searching