So you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family? That’s a great idea, but before you do, here are three things that you should consider before bringing a new puppy home.
Cost of Dog Ownership
There are two main factors when thinking about cost: the upfront cost of getting a dog and the ongoing costs.
In terms of the upfront costs, that will depend on whether you adopt a dog from a shelter, or if you purchase your new furry friend from a dog breeder. If you’re going through the dog adoption process, then the cost is usually under $1,000. You could expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $750 (at least for where I am in Canada). Depending on your country and region it may be a little more or less expensive.
Buying a dog in Canada, according to Kabo.co, the upfront cost could be anywhere from about $3,500 to $4,400. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), from a study they conducted in 2004, the upfront cost of buying a dog is just under $2,200. When we look time value of money, it would be around he same cost today.
The annual cost of dog ownership in Canada, according to Kabo.co, is around $3,500 CAD. According to the AKC, the annual cost is about $2,500. The costs include everything you would need to support a dog through its life, such as: food, dog toys, leashes, collars, veterinary visits, etc. Looking at this cost against your household budget, you can expect to pay up to $300/month to support your new pup.
Owning a Dog is a Commitment
The second thing for you to consider before bringing your puppy home, of course, is that it is a commitment. It’s a good idea to really think about the amount of time that you’re able to spend ‘realistically’ with your dog. Dogs live about 10 to 12 years and some may live a lot longer. If you adopt an adult dog, you may have fewer years with your new furry family member.
In your dog’s life, you need to spend time with it every day. If you work a lot of hours, are rarely home, and have nobody else at home to care for the dog, then it may not be the best time for you to bring one home.
Dogs also need to go outside to do their “business.” You may need to get up early every morning, and sometimes in the middle of the night to ensure there are no accidents. You will have to weather whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at us. For me in Canada that could be a blinding blizzard. Regardless of the time of day or weather conditions, one thing I can guarantee is that your dog will need to “go potty” several times a day.
Like any other creature, your dog will want some companionship and company. They are, after all, pack animals. Ideally, some of that time should be spent on physical exercise for your dog. Depending on your dog’s breed, they may need more or less exercise, but they will need some regardless. Otherwise, your dog may become bored and then exhibit some undesirable behaviours such as barking and chewing. You may be saying to yourself ‘Nicole this is exactly why I want to get a dog I want to be able to have somebody else to take care of or to provide companionship for me as well.’ If that’s the case, you’re off to a great start!
Will a Dog fit with your Lifestyle?
The final thing to consider, is your lifestyle. This is also tied to the time commitment consideration above, in terms of the time and energy that you need to spend with and on a new furry member of your family.
Beyond that, you will need to consider the other people who may live in your home with you. Do you have children? or a partner? or roommates? You need to make sure that everybody in your home is on board with bringing a new puppy home. While thinking of this, you may need to consider if anyone in your home has allergies to dogs. Although there are some dog breeds that are said to be hypoallergenic, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.
As mentioned in above regarding time commitment, you will need to consider your working habits. Whether you work from home, in the office, hybrid, or retired, you will need to ensure that there is someone available throughout the day to tend to your dog’s needs. You may need to spend money – our first consideration – on Doggy Daycare or dog walkers to come to your home to tend to your dog. Many people do this, so it’s not impossible – simply one part of your lifestyle to consider.
Finally, you may need to consider travel plans. We’re just coming through a global pandemic. A lot of people didn’t travel often or at all. But people are getting the travel bug again. So, if you are one who loves to travel or needs to travel for work, and you can’t take your dog with you, then you also need to consider what other arrangements you can make for your dog. I love to travel myself and when I did, I had a trusted dog walker who was also a border. I trusted him immensely with my dog, and never had a worry in the world when I would.
Closing
Getting a dog is not for the faint of heart. It is a big commitment both in time and money and you also need to make sure that your lifestyle is conducive to having a dog in it. But if it is, and you’re ready for a dog, and you’re doing the responsible thing by making sure that you’ve done your before bringing one home, dog ownership can be the most rewarding experience of your life!
