Looking to Buy a Pooch? (Big Questions About Dogs Answered)

So you’re considering picking up a pooch. Good for you! That’s an excellent decision. Dog ownership can be one of life’s more fulfilling activities. But it is certainly not one without questions - including big ones whose answers you should have before bringing a buddy home.

Do You Really Want a Dog?

On the surface, this may seem like a really silly question to ask. However, it is the most important inquiry when it comes to dog ownership. The reason it's so crucial is because it is rather loaded.

Getting a dog means accepting a great deal of responsibility. So much so, it requires you to stare down several factors regarding your life and your lifestyle to ensure you have the proper time, money, and moxie that are needed to properly raise a dog. If you feel even a little leery about bringing a dog into the fold after this examination, then it's probably wise to refrain from doing so.

What Dog is Right For Me?

One of the neat things about dogs is that they come in all shapes and sizes. This variety can be the source of arguably the most important question you can ask yourself. While picking the right dog for you can fill your life with joy, the wrong dog may make things difficult for both you and the dog.

Because of this, there are a few factors you’ll have to weigh before picking up your dog. Canine-related Factors such as breed size, temperament, age, and grooming needs should all be considered. However, you should also take your lifestyle into consideration, including things like your living space, your social life, and where you may be living for the duration of your potential dog's life.

Do I Purchase a Dog from a Breeder, or Do I Adopt a Dog From a Shelter?

Technically, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. With that being said, asking this question has a tendency to elicit rather strong opinions one way or the other. And before you decide on the path to take, it may be worth your while to get the complete skinny on pet adoption, because the practice seems to be surrounded by common misconceptions.

Perhaps the biggest misconception is that all adoptable dogs are mutts with no backstory. Yet there are pet rescue situations that specialize in getting pure-bred pups to loving homes. Also, most adoptable dogs do come with key information regarding where they came from, how they ended up in their current situation, and even what their previous owner had to say about them.

Another big misconception revolves around animal behavior, as people may think that they are in an adoptable situation because they either were bad pets or have a ton of baggage. However, most adoptable pets are in their situation because of outside factors that are outside of their control or realm of behavior. Some of these factors include excessive litter mates, the previous owner can’t afford the dog anymore, or the former owner does not have sufficient time to care for the dog.

Do I Really Need a Puppy?

Puppies are undeniably cute. However, they are also a ton of work, as they bring very little skill or experience to the table. Even if you have convinced yourself that you are ready for a dog, this still begs the question: do you have the time, energy, or wherewithal for a puppy?

There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t. If anything, it can be quite honorable if you decide to skip the puppy stage and pick up an older dog. Pooches past the puppy stage can be every bit as sweet, adorable, and loyal as a young pup, so you won’t have to worry about losing out on enjoying these elements if you adopt a full-grown dog.

Love is the Ultimate Answer

If answering these questions still leads you down the path of bringing home a dog, prepare to create an atmosphere built on love, affection, and kindness. The moment you bring a dog home, you essentially become the center of his universe, and he will treat you in kind. If you justify this behavior on your end, you will be able to enjoy a special relationship that will last the duration of your pooch’s life.