Which Dog Is For You?
I have never been one to hide the truth and the truth with me and Sally dog, is we didn’t click at first.
Or at least she decided I was her human and I decided I wanted nothing to do with “the dog”.
For a while, I cried and went into a deep depression – yup from getting a dog.
I’ve never really 100% understood why.
I can only guess it has to do with the fact I suddenly had a dog thrust upon me, with no experience.
However, 13 years later I’m honoured she decided to pick me.
So I guess with the bumpy start Sally and I had it was interesting to find out that Legal and General Pet Insurance had done some research on us and our best friends.
Dogs and Human’s Don’t Always Go.
It is likely there is a breed out there perfect for most people looking to find a dog to complete their family.
However, there is also like a number of breeds, with which you will clash. Which makes it astounding that 31% of dog owners do no research before they buy a dog.
Especially as 60% of those questioned bought their dog, with only 27% choosing to adopt from their local animal shelter. When you choose to adopt, you will usually be giving an adult dog a new lease of life which is a great thing to do.
Make sure you choose a dog for your living situation, ability to be outdoors with them and for how ready you are for grooming and to clean, to name just a few things. These are all big things, both for your own happiness and your future new additions. You need to select the perfect breed for you by energy level, size and temperament.
If you’re out at work all day and there’s no one else in the house, you might want to consider hiring a dog walker to take your dog out during the day. You will then need to factor this in to the costs.
You also need to make sure you have a lot of time to do dog training. You will need to train your puppy or dog to ensure that they know where to go to the toilet (no one likes those indoor surprises so make sure you do house training early on!) and that they are obedient enough to follow simple commands like “sit” and “leave”.
If you have a puppy it’s a good idea to take them to training classes early on. This gets them socialised with other dogs and will help them learn some commands and general good behaviour. It will also teach you how to discipline your dog in the right way. A puppy requires firm guidance to ensure that it knows what good behaviour is.
Think of the Costs.
Caring for a dog can be expensive, there’s not just food and water to think about. There are quite a lot of one-off costs to begin with if you get a puppy or adopt a dog. First of all you’ll have to puppy proof your home and then a puppy needs lots of things like a dog bed, bowls, toys, etc. If you are looking at getting a Kennel Club registered breed, you will also have quite a high cost of buying your puppy in the first place.
As Sally has got older her costs have become more.
Now, as well as a prescription diet of dog food, she has hydro every fortnight, two lots of tablets a day and a number of supplements as suggested by the vets. On that note, it’s very important that you find a good vet!
Her insurance has, of course, over the years gone up by a lot as well but is completely worthwhile having. After all, it means we don’t need to scramble to afford things such as her hydrotherapy.
Being at this point in owning a dog, I know that in future I would very carefully consider the insurance and cost of vets visits over the years. Yet this is a cost very few people think of, with only 11% thinking about the cost of vets and just 7% the cost of insurance.
So it is unsurprising that 29% find owning a dog more expensive than they imagined. The cost of raising a puppy tends to increase as they grow up.
However, what is quite worrying to me is 36% owned up to not having insurance and 46% believing they didn’t need it!
From me to you, I can tell you even if you go years without using it. When a dog gets old it is wonderful to have and you are going to find it very hard to insure a dog later in life. So look for a lifetime plan, early.
Make Sure You Do Your Research.
So I guess the point of this post is me and Sally reminding you to research before you buy or adopt.
Try and match your lifestyle and personality to the breed you are going for. With a fun place to start being this quiz, a quiz to help a dog pick you!
Remember a dog is for life and that is going to include ups and downs for you both. But there’s no better feeling than when you bring home your new best friend.
Do you own any pets, were you a perfect match?
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I am more of a cat person but these are very helpful pointers for someone intending to own a dog.
Good article its important to pick a dog suited to you
I really like this post as it got me thinking… hmmm I’ve always thought that I was a bigger breed kinda guy like a Doberman or a German Shepard kind, but the folks just got a Maltese and she’s got me wrapped around her finger!
Now that is a different dog to those you have been thinking of! Amazing how they can wrap you around their paws isn’t it.
It is so important to do research on your new family pet, especially if you have small children. Most people like small cut dogs for their children but sometimes the small cute dogs don’t do well with small kids.
It really is, they all have so many different traits and tendencies don’t they. Small dogs often seem quite temperamental.
This is an interesting read, I never really thought about doing research on your breed of dog before you adopt or purchase. When I married my husband he had three dogs already, thankfully we all got along well!
Aw that is awesome! What a lovely thing for you all to get on.
I love all dogs of all kinds. I wasn’t a fan of big dogs until I had a boxer who was my therapy dog at my school. Loved that girl!
Aww that sounds so lovely and such a great way to get over a phobia.
We live in a condo with an area of only 1408 sq ft which means we can’t have big dogs. The hubs is considering a pekingese.
Aww it sounds like you have really thought about what space and what sort of dog would work for you.
Great, much needed article. We are in the process of adopting a dog and all is information we definitely need beforehand. I actually think I should look into insurance quotes before we even bring the baby home.
Aww good luck with adoption you perfect dog, I hope it goes well for you.
I love dogs but I wouldn’t have one {especially since we already have a cat & a rabbit} however if I was to choose a breed? It would have to be a chow chow!
Chow Chows are adorable aren’t they! I’m not sure if I will have another after Sally I have to admit.
I am a dog lover and truly, having a dog is not a joke. You should really be dedicated and have enough patience and budget as well. But it’s all worth it – going home to someone who loves you dearly.
It really isn’t they are an amazing addition but one which will take time, money and whole change in how your household works.
We have two dogs and it can definitely get expensive with vet costs and food and such. This is some great information. Thank you for sharing.
It is crazy how quickly it can all add up isn’t it. Definitely something everyone should be aware of.
We have no dog here, but we have a few back in my hometown. And I’d say we’re all a perfect match. 🙂
Aww glad you have always found you are a perfect match.
I’ve never thought that there so many aspects when choosing a dog. Now I know that I need to do more research before we buy or adopt one.
I am glad I have given you some more ideas to think about should you get a dog.
We never got a dog because we don’t have enough time to make enough effort. I just don’t have the time to dedicate to walking a dog and making sure that the dog would get enough interaction. I wish people would take more care when they choose a dog or other pet.
Most definitely you need to make sure you are around, I hate leaving Sal for even a short time.
Aww, Sally is absolutely gorgeous <3
My two are always asking if we can get a dog. But, in truth, we don't have the time or the money to look after one at the moment. We have enough on with our two rabbits (one of which actually thinks he's a dog LOL).
Louise x
Rabbits can be amazing can’t they – I had one when I was younger and she was such a character.
Seeing that you’re a dog lover, you’ve got to see the new movie, “A Dog’s Way Home.” Saw it last night and it’s worth another see.
Ohh I’ll have a look for it thank you 🙂 will it make me cry?
This is awesome for people considering getting a dog! I have an American bull dog/Pitt mix and she is amazing, but I know they aren’t for everyone. Every family and person has different personalities and will do best with different dogs. For me and my family, I know we wouldn’t do well with smaller dog breeds.
Most definitely, Ash wouldn’t do well with certain small breeds he hates the “yap” as he calls it haha!
aww I am so not a dog person but I definitely have to agree to do your research! you never know until you research!
I think it works for any type of animal to be honest you always need to research.
I’ve always been more of a dog person, but to own one didn’t sound great to me. They are more responsibility than the cats I’d had in the past. I always felt cats were great for me as they’re more independent, but I adopted Jenny the pug about 8 years ago and haven’t looked back. She was the perfect fit for us, and I did research the pug breed before searching out a pug to adopt.
The right type of dog really makes a difference for sure. Sally definitely wasn’t a beginners dog, to be honest. But we worked it.
I don’t have any pets, but I like dogs. My 7 year old keeps begging me to get one, but I’m not ready for the commitment and he’s too small to do most of what would need doing. So it’s a “no” right now. I do agree that your dog’s personality needs to mesh well with your family and vice versa.
Most definitely it is hard to work out the amount of work a dog will need really until you have one.
For me, as someone who wasn’t super experienced with dogs, it was the puppy stage that was SO hard. I wasn’t prepared and was sure I had made a mistake. But luckily they grow out of that stage—and become awesome companions.
I couldn’t imagine having a puppy – getting Sal at 5 meant she had been through all that, I think I would find it hard.
Getting a dog is such a big decision, and not one to take lightly. We have two dogs and there was a period of transition where we had to figure each other out. I am so happy we stuck through that hard time because they are truly part of the family now.
It seems like a few people go through that, its made me feel so much better about my first time with Sally lol.
There are so many different breads out there and you are so right, they don’t all make a good pet for everyone. We have hunting dogs who require a lot of activity or they will dig and tear everything in the house up. But we knew that going in to it and were prepared for it. They are a life time commitment.
They really are and worth it, they give back so much but of course won’t be for everyone.
It’s funny, I have always wondered how that happens. I see people and their dogs and I wonder how difficult of a decision it must be to settle on a dog to become his forever home. So much research!
Most definitely – I think I got so lucky with Sally considering how we ended up together if I was to do it all again then I would research more.
We have 3 dogs at the moment and I love them dearly. I think if more people knew about the horrors of puppy mills they would look into adopting first. Great breeders will make sure you are a good fit for the puppies, and the process is quite involved (and the cost is high!)
Pet insurance is a great idea.
I am so glad that they have brought in new laws to try and stop puppy farms over here, I think it will take a while but hopefully it will really make a difference. I couldn’t imagine not adopting a dog.
We always adopt our dogs, but we do a lot of research beforehand. You really want to click with your pet since they’re basically part of the family.
Most definitely, you 100% need to make sure they fit in with you.
owning a dog is def a commitment. we love our little pug and couldn’t imagine life without her.
It really is, they aren’t an animal you can just have and leave to do its own thing! But they give so much for it.
I am not a pet owner but I do know that choosing the right one is important for both parties.
Most definitely you are both going to suffer no matter the species if you get a pet that doesn’t suit your needs.
I really really love this post. I got Mr Gatsby, a french bulldog, nearly 5 years ago. I can really relate to what you said. Gatsby and I go through phases, some weeks I can tell we are super close and for some weeks we like our own space. Nevertheless, he is my best friend and I think I am his. He has been by my side through some really rubbish times and some really wonderful ones. I am so glad I got him. As a frenchie he doesn’t need too much exercise and his funny character keeps me entertained as I live on my own. Sally is gorgeous btw!
Aww yay! It can be so hard can’t it – sometimes even now I think I can’t do this! But she is my best friend, she’s been with me so long now I can’t imagine life without her, though I know we are unlikely to have another year together which breaks my heart.
Dogs are amazing I am glad you have found the perfect dog for you!
I love your dog she is such a cutie, we do not have a dog in our house just a bunny rabbit. I would say if I was going to pick one be a small dog that fits in with our family.
Aww Ash wants a rabbit, he keeps pointing ones out and saying how friendly they are haha! I told him it would be his rabbit to look after.
This is such a sweet post. I had a dog named Zack when I was younger. He was a beagle and I completely loved him. He was abused as a puppy so it took a long time for him to feel comfortable with me but ultimately it was a great match!
Oh bless him, Sally was the same she was fearful of so much. I think that didn’t help at first as I had this image of dogs being animals that loved to play and she didn’t know how to play, no idea how to run, didn’t bark, just curled up and didn’t really interact. She was very much closed off and as a first time dog owner that is a lot to cope with.
In the end I decided to try and bond with her I would brush her and she loved it, we used to sit together and I would brush her for ages.
I tried to get her to play, we tried all sorts of methods and while she would have a mad 5 minutes from time to time she never really gained a love for playing with toys.
But she loves a good walk still and a bark at the postman is a must haha!
We do own a dog. She is extremely sweet and fits perfectly with our family. We rescued her from another family that she was not a good fit with. This dog is outstanding and I love her so much. I like everything you wrote here and I will have to look into pet insurance again.
Oh bless her she sounds amazing! Glad you rescued her! I think so many people don’t think about what will fit, but perhaps the aesthetics of a dog. I know my other half would love a husky but there is no way it would fit with us.
Pet Insurance is amazing. Sal is 18 next month and while we pay £100 a month that is actually saving us money when it comes to her tables + 2 lots of hydro and that’s without any extras that might pop up.
Dogs are a huge investment and one should get the dog that is right for them. That way the dog gets the care and love that it needs.
Most definitely, I think a lot of people don’t realise the bigger picture, I hands up admit I was 20 and naive when Sally came into my life.
Research is SO important! I don’t think we’ll ever be getting a dog, but even when we got our cats, I researched it.
It’s the same for any pet really isn’t it – even cats can be so different, some thrive indoors while others need the outside world and that’s just thinking about a moggy! Add in a pedigree and you have so much more to think of.
We have two Bedlington terriers pups – we brought them home in November! They are wonderful, so handsome & clever! They can be very mischievous at times though hehe x
Oh, I bet they are absolutely adorable, I am glad they are fitting well into your family.
This is a different look at dog ownership, because it is a learning and growing experience. I have to say that rescue dogs are a great idea for any family to consider and it is so great to adopt a needy pet and give a forever home.
Sally is a resuce and I have to admit I can’t imagine going for anything bar a resuce, definitely worth knowing a bit about the breeds you are looking for even as a resuce dog.
Really is a shame most people don’t do their homework before choosing a dog. The breeds are all different and all have different temperaments. Good information to know and share.
There is so much difference between breeds isn’t there, you definitely need to think and research and make sure you are choosing one that fits for your own situation.
I think that it is really important that you like the dog, get the right size for your house and garden and also involve all the family before making the final decision.
Most definitely I mean great if you have the time / space for any size but a big dog in a little space isn’t going to work!
I researched the breed I liked the look of and found they were independent little creatures – happy to amuse themselves. This suited me fine. Sorry for any spelling mistakes, one is draped over my arm and the other is around my neck…..
Haha not being independent right now then ;). Bless them.