Getting a dog

getcarter

This is probably the wrong place but I need some help.

I've been thinking about getting a dog for some time but can't decide. We've got a lot going on at the moment but I think that a dog might provide a focus and also a chance for me to get out of the house and get some exercise (my knees are playing up so I've had to stop any high impact exercise).

I know a dog takes a lot of commitment and money but I just can't decide..............

I need a list of pros and cons and thought you might have some I haven't thought of yet.

sticher

I wanted a dog and after years of considering we got one. She is fantastic, but with 3 children she is an awful lot of work. She is long haired (requires lots of grooming) but doesn't moult in the same way as a lot of dogs, so hairs don't stick in your clothes, but are just like fluff. She does bring in lots of dirt, leaves and twigs (I suppose a short haired dog wouldn't do this).

There are also holidays and days out to consider.

I think though that having a dog is a good thing for children and as you say, helps adults get their exercise. There is always someone to welcome you home .

kr15snw

Yay I love doggies, always had them in the house. Although me and my boyfriend have recently been converted in parrot owners....

Anyway pros and cons..

Pros:

Love and affection
Your never alone in the house so feel safer
Someone to talk to (yes I do talk to them! lol)
Exercise it gives you
Conversation starter when meeting new people ('oh you have a dog? so do i... etc etc')

Cons:

Puppy mess (but this soon changes, so I dont mind) Plus is HUGELY outwighed by puppy cuteness
Cost (We buy working dog food and this has no VAT from a farm shop, which saves a fortune)
You have to go out when it rains (can be invigorating though!)

To be honest if you think a dog would fit in well with the family then can be brilliant and I adore them. I think they can get on with kids of all ages (even big kids!) and will learn to get on with other animals with a bit of work. I think all cons can be easily rectified aswell, so that they are not really a con.

Go for it!!!

Sharra

Cons - they chew things, wee on the floor (and worse), leave hair everywhere, bark, want to play when you want to chill out, leave soggy chews on your sofa, wake you up in the night needing a wee, cost money with vets bills etc, and need walking when its howling a gale and pouring with rain.

Pros - they become part of the family and steal your heart, they always love you no matter what you do, they will keep you company and listen to you no matter what you are saying, they teach you patience, keep you fit, are great to cuddle.

If you'll forgive the analogy, its a bit like having kids - they drive you nuts, create loads of work but you wouldn't be without them for the world!
I really couldn't be without my two!
I would say tho, that if you're not used to dogs, think very carefully about whether to get a puppy or an adult dog. Puppies are lots and lots of hard work - you can expect to have up to a week of sleepless nights while they settle in, they WILL chew anything and everything, and you really shouldnt leave a pup on its own for very long.
Also think very seriously about how much time you have for walking etc - if you're looking for something that will make you take a 30 min walk every day - don't go for a big bouncy dog, on the other hand, if you love walking and are happy to be out in all weathers then do

Justie

I grew up with dogs and don't feel a house is a home without one but my OH never had big pets just hamsters and the like and took a lot of persuading... the dog is now the love of his life! :rolleyes:

Pros - so many laughs, unconditional love (although if you have food you'll get twice as much love ) and the house always has a presence

Cons - hair everywhere, need for pet sitters etc, cost

I would happily do it all again though

My tip is that whether you get a rescue or a puppy make sure that you have a settled life for the first 2 years or so and can make time to go to classes etc so you can learn how to get the best out of your dog - as with children, if you put the hard work in in the first couple of years then it's much easier afterwards.

Be realistic about how much time you have, what sort of a dog you can manage and how you'll cope with the extra expenditure.

Oh and if you work full time - can you get home at lunch to let him/her out? If not, it's not fair. No dog should be left on a regular basis for more than 4 or 5 hours.

Good luck! We love our rescue boy and wouldn't swap him for the world

mookiandco

If you are in two minds about getting a dog then I would say that its not the right time. If you have alot going on right now, then, whatever your good intentions its probably not the best time to bring a dog into the mix.

I breed chihuahuas and have always had dogs so for me the pros will always out weigh the possible cons. But you have to look carefully at your own circumstances and ask whether you can give a dog, the love, time and enerygy they deserve.

Eels100

Hard to say much without knowing more about your background, but here's my tuppence worth:

Cons:
- financial - monthly outlay for food/preventive healthcare/insurance, varies hugely with size and breed.
- time - you have to be able to make sure the animal is walked/fed/trained, regardless of what the world throws at you. This can range from care when you go on holiday (expense of kennels, see above!) to having someone who can do the lunchtime pee-stop if you can't get home.
- mess - your home will become a malodorous den of vile bottom gases and dog hairs. Be prepared for novel stains on your carpet (OS is an excellent board for stain-removing tips). This con can be worsened if you don't invest enough time and money in preventive healthcare - fleas, urgh!
- unforeseen problems - behavioural in particular - occur more often in animals homed as puppies than in adult animals, believe it or not. Can make your life a misery unless you have plenty of the aforementioned money and time to deal with them, not to mention enough patience to handle the resulting mess.

Pros:
- companionship - a dog is a better friend than any human can be. They only ask for some food, attention and shelter and in return will give you their very souls.
- laughter - you can mock a dog as much as you like, its response will usually be to lick your hand and grin.
- health benefits - you don't even have to walk for the dog to be good for you - boffins have proved that stroking animals not only reduced blood pressure but relieves stress and improves mental health.
- learning opportunity for kids - kids learn all about life through pets - from birth to death, with lessons on communication, patience and responsibility along the way.

My suggestion would be to get yourself some sort of sighthound, there are literally thousands around in need of homes. I'm not sure of your experience with dogs but they make great, easy pets, need little exercise and are usually particularly gentle natured and affectionate creatures, if a little sensitive. No sofa should be without one!

Final warnings - research your breeds, be honest about how much time and money you can spare (both in the first weeks when it's new and exciting and then for the next decade or two), go for an adult dog from a rescue where you can get some background on the previous home and history, as well as some backup once rehomed (good rescues will not only homecheck you thoroughly but will insist on follow-up contact and will have a return-to-rescue-in-event-of-problems clause), get insurance and for heavens sake read the small print before you sign, and HAVE FUN!

Firefly

Pro - you'll get a good amount of exercise if you walk the dog regularly.
Cons - This also includes days when you're hungover, got other things to do, it's raining, when there's tea to cook and the kids are playing up.

Pro - there is always someone in the house to talk to
Con - You can't go out for more than a couple of hours at a time without contingency plans for the dog. 4hrs max.

Pro - A lovely little fluffy puppy
Con - weeks, if not months or years of looking for the right breeder, getting the relevant documentation to confirm the heath of the parents and all breed club recommended health checks. The consequences of getting a pup without investigating the health checks undergone by parents, for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia are far reaching

Pro - you can join http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/all_board_show.pl
Con - you'll end up spending even more hours on tinternet.

tiff

Puppies are HARD work, over 2 or 3 they have calmed down a bit and less excitable. You said you had a lot going on at the moment, and I'm wondering what that is. If you have other commitments then having a dog might not be a good idea.

Our old dog died in February. He moulted really badly, so we said that any dog we had in the future would be non moulting. Great, we got a Lhasa apso x Shih Tzu who is a fabulous dog in every way, except if the hair round his backside isnt trimmed the poo gets trapped in it, and its a hell of a job to clean up! Also, short legged long haired dogs bring in all the bits from the garden so you are permanently sweeping the floors.

Having said that, I havent been without a dog since I was 10 years old. I knew the commitment and am glad we got a small dog rather than a larger one as the children (9 and 6) are able to deal with him to some extent.

With a small non moulting dog we are able to take him with us a lot more than our old dog did. He comes to my sons football matches at the weekend for exercise, he comes to the in laws who dont mind because he doesnt moult. He comes in the car on the school run etc. We go camping a lot and are looking forward to taking him with us.

Hard to say whether a dog is right for you, but this thread should be able to help you decide.

belfastgirl23

Just think about your lifestyle before you decide on a breed. Not that I'm an expert but for example labradors can cope with very little exercise and you being out a lot of the day whereas collies can't. Be sure and get the right one to suit you or else it isn't fair on you or the dog.

I'd love a dog myself but know that my lifestyle isn't suited to being a dog owner at all

moj1966

I love my dogs but they are crippling money wise.
food
good quality food is not cheap
dog walkers cost a fortune
extra laundry
insurance
injections
kennels
toys
replacing slippers etc
etc etc etc

But I would rather be skint then be without My Blossom ( Bulldog) and Lily ( rescue Staffie)