Are You Ready For The Commitment Of Owning A Dog?

Owning a dog can be a rewarding experience for the whole family. Before you pick your perfect pooch, however, it's important to consider whether you are ready to make such a big commitment.

For thousands of years, dogs have been considered man's best friend and with hundreds of breeds to choose from there's every chance you'll find a dog to suit you. Sadly, one in five dogs in the UK are re-homed or abandoned each year after their owners feel they can no longer take care of them or family and work commitments change unexpectedly. Taking the time to properly consider how getting a dog would affect your life is one of the most important pieces of preparatory work you can do when assessing whether a four legged friend is right for you.

So what are some good points to consider when thinking about getting a dog? Well the first point you might want to think about is whether you have time for a pet and subsequently what quality of life you can offer a canine. Getting a dog might seem like a great idea, especially if you have kids who are eager to get a family pet, but the reality of looking after a dog is a combination of hard work and responsibility. When it comes to exercise even compact breeds such as Yorkies and Chihuahuas need a vigorous and structured exercise routine to ensure they are mentally and physically stimulated. Trying to pencil in time to do this around work, play and holidays should not be overlooked.

Once you've considered what quality of life you can offer your perspective dog you should also take time to think about what would happen should your lifestyle change. Boasting an average life span of 10 - 15 years, getting a dog is a long term commitment. People whose work is likely to take them overseas, work long hours at short notice or do a lot of commuting are probably not suited to having a dog. With that in mind it's a good idea to think about where you see yourself in a decade or more and whether you will still be in a similar position. Many owners suffer the heartbreak of having to give up their beloved pooch simply because they didn't think about the future, and changes to family or work life leave no other option but to say farewell to Fido.

Having had a think about whether you can offer a dog a stable home as well as confirming you're in it for the long run, one of the final points to consider is whether you can afford the costs associated with keeping a dog. The cost of food is a very basic overhead which is nothing in comparison to the price of vaccinations, operations and emergency treatment. Taking out pet insurance is a sensible decision and can prove invaluable should your dog require a life saving or specialist operation that could run into thousands of pounds. It's also possible to get discounts off pet insurance if you opt to take out a policy with your existing financial provider of products such as life insurance or income payment protection.

Getting a puppy or re-homing an older dog can be an experience of a lifetime, just make sure it's right for you.

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