Looking at getting a dog

[Ian Beddows]

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Hi, we’ve decided to get a dog. Now deciding whether to go for a puppy or a rescue.

 

[JoanneF]

It is a huge responsibility but if you can, you will be well rewarded.

I suggest this to a lot of people, for the next month act like you do have a dog - get up and go for a two mile or so walk before work. If you aren't getting a dog walker, come home every lunchtime and take a 20 minute walk. Come straight home after work (no shopping, social events etc) and do another two mile walk. Do that every day, no breaks, regardless of the weather. Bear in mind that it is June; think about how it would be in December. Also, calculate how much a dog would cost, put that plus 20% aside because we always underestimate.

When getting a dog, the most important consideration is not what a dog will bring to your life, but what you can offer to his life.

 

[JudyN]

Welcome - you have lots to consider! You need to think about your lifestyle, whether you have young children, how much time you have, how much exercise you can give the dog, if you have a secure garden, what you can afford (dog food, vet fees).

Rescues often, though not always, come with 'baggage' and you have to deal with issues - what if the dog howls when you leave the house? What if it growls when it's eating and you go to stroke it? Good rescues will provide back-up and will take the dog back if it's not working out.

Puppies from breeders can also have issues - again, a good breeder will try to help, or will take the pup back if necessary. Puppies are also VERY hard work - think new baby, then factor in that this is a baby who won't stay where you put him down and can chew you, and your house, to shreds. Pedigree dogs are often overbred and have congenital diseases - short-faced breeds often need surgery simply to breathe properly, Cavaliers' skulls are too small for their brains... Crossbreeds can be healthier, but it's not guaranteed.

The most important thing, IMO, is to avoid getting a dog from a puppy farm. @JoanneF, I think you have a good link for spotting these?

 

[JoanneF]

Yes, here are a couple.

Animal Welfare Site

What Does a Puppy Farm REALLY Look Like? Could YOU tell?

 

[lurcherman]

Not that I’m rich but money wasnt a issue, dogs give me and lift me to a better place, but the vets bills can be high, I was lucky in my last 40 years, never had dog insurance but put £10 a week in a pot and never got caught out , my first lurcher didn’t see a vet for 8 years apart from boosters ,but it had to be in your thoughts nowadays.

 

[Hemlock]

Yes: I stopped buying insurance and put the money away instead. It's a gamble because one big vet bill can wipe out a lot of savings, but then insurance is a gamble too. If you join Dogs Trust you have Public Liability insurance as part of the membership deal, which is very good value.

 

[Finsky]

Not that I’m rich but money wasnt a issue, dogs give me and lift me to a better place, but the vets bills can be high, I was lucky in my last 40 years, never had dog insurance but put £10 a week in a pot and never got caught out , my first lurcher didn’t see a vet for 8 years apart from boosters ,but it had to be in your thoughts nowadays.

I've never had insurance with any of our dogs as I rather keep little pot aside for anything out of normal expenditure.
Saying that, the types of dogs we keep tends to be relatively trouble free as it comes to their health issues. Of course accidents can happen but that's what our 'pot' is for.
Reason I dislike insurances is that I keep hearing so many sad stories how their cover is not what is ought to be...and when you have one, is there a tendency for vets to make some tests that might not be absolutely necessary, adding to the claim cost??
Nope, they have managed to find any problems with bare necessary tests with us despite asking 'have you got a insurance?'. I might be reading too much into that question and it says more about me than what they might mean with it...

 

[JudyN]

We also put money in a 'pot' instead of taking out insurance - apart from the public liability one that the Dog Trust offers.

But even without that pot, we have enough savings to cover any eventuality. For some people the consequence of being landed with a huge bill before they've accumulated enough savings (and any dog can have an accident) is that the dog has to be put down because they have no way of raising the money. It's sad, but needs to be considered when making the decision to insure or not.

 

[Rinkydinkydo]

Im another one whos got a dog fund instead of insurance. Plus the vet I use,apart from being good doesn't charge extortionate prices.

 

[Ragsysmum]

Puppies are had work! I'm on my 47th rescue dog (fostered or adopted) and the vast majority have been a doddle to own. All the hard work is usually done if you get a mature dog and deal with a genuine rescue.